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Industrial Electronics
in a double conversion architecture
with a common DC bus. A dynamic
brake is included and provides DC
bus protection against over-voltage.
This compact design yields a power
density of up to 130 W/in.³ (7.9
W/cm³). Multiple PM3000W power
converters can additionally be
configured in parallel to create
higher power-rated converter systems
up to 6 MW.
Looking ahead
Research and development efforts
aim to engineer even more capable
PowerModule converters,
incorporating localised intelligence
for use in multi-megawatt wind
turbines. We expect IGBT switching
losses to further decrease by up to
50%, which would increase average
efficiency and turbine energy
production.
Such improvements in efficiency
are particularly significant at low
power levels where wind turbines
operate most of the time. More
advanced converters are also
expected to provide fault-ride-
through capability as well as
PM1000 converters in wind turbines speed mode, and the control system power specific controls, interfaces frequency, voltage, and dynamic VAR
and experience in connecting entire regulates the rotor speed to obtain and application modules, mono- support for the grid.
wind farms to power grids using its peak efficiency in fluctuating winds. frame construction with slide mounts Future power converters must be
proprietary D-VAR grid This is accomplished by continuously - offering unmatched versatility. The specialised and designed to meet the
interconnection solution. updating the rotor speed and IGBTs employed are rated at over the unique challenges of variable speed
Electric utilities today are requiring generator loading to maximise power standard 125°C. wind power applications. Permanent
that wind installations be equipped and reduce drivetrain transient The PM3000W is a 4-quadrant magnet generators that allow lighter
with new capabilities such as power torque loads. converter; the topology features two rotor designs and have lower losses
factor correction, voltage control, Operating in variable-speed mode, dual-DSP embedded controllers, two will play a role, as will power
volt-ampere-reactive (VAR) support however, requires the use of power 3-phase power processors and a converters that have even higher
and fault ride through. D-VAR converters. In addition, today’s state- dynamic brake. The two embedded efficiencies below rated power.
solutions provide these capabilities, of-the-art controllers integrate signals controllers allow implementation of
allowing wind farms to meet grid from dozens of sensors to control two separate control functions with
interconnection standards now being rotor speed, blade pitch angle, independent software for each power
enforced. Canada, Australia, New generator torque, and power processor, giving the customer the AMSC | www.amsc.com
Zealand, Spain and the U.K. are conversion voltage and phase; and in ability to program certain PLC Perry Schugart is Director, Power
among the first to adopt such conjunction with the power functions locally in the converter. Converter Business, AMSC Power
standards to protect the grid from converter are integral for providing The power converter is liquid cooled Systems
the transient voltage stemming from fault ride through. The controller is
wind farms that can damage power also responsible for critical safety
grid infrastructure and result in functions such as shutting down the
blackouts. Others are expected to turbine when extreme conditions are
PM3000W Brings High Power, User-Friendly
soon follow suit. Installed at power encountered, for example hurricane-
Capabilities to the Wind Industry
grid substations, AMSCs’ D-VAR force wind speeds and grid power
solution is now deployed at more outages.
1. Integrated slide mounts – provides
than 45 wind farms around the
easier installation of the power
world for this purpose. Unmatched versatility
converter into the cabinet in
The wind-specific PM3000W power Prior power electronics for variable
which it is housed, “slides into
electronic converter incorporates speed wind turbines have required
the cabinet” streamlining
algorithms and external complicated and expensive circuitry
manufacturing and reducing
communication protocols to enable to perform power conversion and to
integration time.
universal generator connectivity. It is control the turbine. The
2. Mono-frame construction –
the first configurable power converter development of higher power
one unit versus two,
building block developed specifically Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors
decreases time to market,
to bridge the needs of both wind (IGBTs), however, has made the
lowering cost and
turbine generators and wind power electronic converter
enabling earlier revenue
farm/grid interconnection requirements of a wind generator less
generation.
requirements directly inside the wind problematic. In particular, over the
3. Rapid product
turbine. This technology supports last decade, the trend has been
development – fully
low voltage ride through (LVRT) and toward lower switching and
programmable, flexible
provides ground fault protection conduction losses in wind power
and modular power
directly inside the wind turbine. It converters, which has meant less
converter platform
can also be used with most, if not all costly heat removal hardware. Lower
reducing time to market.
wind turbine generators – the most switching losses have been achieved
4. Parallel PM3000Ws for
common types are synchronous/ due to faster, cleaner turn-on/turn-off
higher power – a standard
asynchronous, induction/permanent characteristics of IGBT components –
power electronic building
magnet, double-fed/ full conversion, with higher output efficiency gained
block that can be utilized
50 Hz/60 Hz. from lower losses. In addition, more
across multiple wind
The need for power converters to robust, higher temperature-rated
energy applications and
remain on line during network faults IGBTs have become available.
grow with the customer’s
and transient conditions has become The PM3000W converter utilises
needs.
a critical requirement. Most wind thermally and mechanically
turbines today operate in variable- enhanced IGBTs and features wind
38 September 2009 Components in Electronics www.cieonline.co.uk
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