Effects of magnetization characteristics on the performance of self-excited induction generator under unbalanced operations

Today the wind energy which is a great source of renewable energy is being utilized for power generation using self-excited induction generators. Such machines are placed on top of the tower to feed a three-phase load in windy areas where grid extension is uneconomical or not possible at all. However one major problem associated with these machines is that it may lead to over voltage and over current in any phase of the machine under unbalanced operations. Magnetization curve of any induction machine affects its performance a lot. Hence, this paper has been written with a focus to investigate the effect of magnetic saturation curve on the performance of self-excited induction generator. The model as presented in the paper has been formulated with a new objective function and the variables associated to it have been solved using particle swarm optimization. The simulation has been carried out on 0.75 kW rating machine with its own saturation curve and with saturation curve of 22 kW rating machine as well in order to frame out the recommendations.