Abstract: A system and method are provided for operating a power generating asset. Accordingly, a controller detects a fault condition impacting the power generating asset. The controller then determines whether the fault condition is occurring in the power generating asset or is occurring in the power grid. When the fault condition is occurring in the power generating asset, a first response control scheme is implemented. However, when the fault condition is occurring in the power grid, a second response control scheme is implemented. The response control schemes include a first current threshold and a second current threshold respectively, with first current threshold being less than the second current threshold. Additionally, a control action is implemented in response to an approach of a current to the respective current threshold.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling low-speed operations of a wind turbine electrically coupled to an electrical grid. The wind turbine includes a generator and a power converter. The generator includes a generator rotor and a generator stator. An operating parameter of the generator rotor is indicative of a low-speed operation of the generator. Accordingly, the crossing of a first threshold by the operating parameter is detected. In response, at least a portion of a required reactive power generation is developed via the generator rotor. The portion is then delivered to the electrical grid via the grid side of the power converter.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine. Accordingly, a controller of the wind turbine detects a loss of traction of the slip coupling between a generator and a rotor of the drivetrain of the wind turbine. In response to detecting the loss of traction, the controller overrides a generator torque setpoint to alter a rotational speed of the generator. In response to the altered rotational speed of the generator, the traction of the slip coupling is increased. Increasing the traction of the slip coupling facilitates an application of generator torque to the drivetrain of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine to protect the wind turbine from anomalous operations. Accordingly, in response to receiving data indicative of an anomalous operational event of the wind turbine, the controller initiates an enhanced braking mode for the wind turbine. The enhanced braking mode is characterized by operating the generator at a torque setpoint that generates maximum available torque for a given set of operating conditions. Additionally, the torque setpoint is in excess of a nominal torque limit for the generator.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling low-speed operations of a wind turbine electrically coupled to an electrical grid. The wind turbine includes a generator and a power converter. The generator includes a generator rotor and a generator stator. An operating parameter of the generator rotor is indicative of a low-speed operation of the generator. Accordingly, the crossing of a first threshold by the operating parameter is detected. In response, at least a portion of a required reactive power generation is developed via the generator rotor. The portion is then delivered to the electrical grid via the grid side of the power converter.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for operating a power generating asset. Accordingly, a controller detects a fault condition impacting the power generating asset. The controller then determines whether the fault condition is occurring in the power generating asset or is occurring in the power grid. When the fault condition is occurring in the power generating asset, a first response control scheme is implemented. However, when the fault condition is occurring in the power grid, a second response control scheme is implemented. The response control schemes include a first current threshold and a second current threshold respectively, with first current threshold being less than the second current threshold. Additionally, a control action is implemented in response to an approach of a current to the respective current threshold.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine. Accordingly, a controller of the wind turbine detects a loss of traction of the slip coupling between a generator and a rotor of the drivetrain of the wind turbine. In response to detecting the loss of traction, the controller overrides a generator torque setpoint to alter a rotational speed of the generator. In response to the altered rotational speed of the generator, the traction of the slip coupling is increased. Increasing the traction of the slip coupling facilitates an application of generator torque to the drivetrain of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A method for operating a power generation system that supplies real and reactive power to a grid includes receiving a reactive power demand made on the power generation system at an operating state of the power generation system and a grid state. Further, the method includes decoupling reactive power control and voltage control between a generator and a reactive power compensation device so as to reduce an oscillatory response of a reactive power output from the reactive power compensation device and the generator. Moreover, the method includes operating, via a device controller, the reactive power compensation device in a reactive power control mode to generate at least a portion of the reactive power demand.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine to protect the wind turbine from anomalous operations. Accordingly, in response to receiving data indicative of an anomalous operational event of the wind turbine, the controller initiates an enhanced braking mode for the wind turbine. The enhanced braking mode is characterized by operating the generator at a torque setpoint that generates maximum available torque for a given set of operating conditions. Additionally, the torque setpoint is in excess of a nominal torque limit for the generator.

Abstract: A method for operating a power generation system that supplies real and reactive power to a grid includes receiving a reactive power demand made on the power generation system at an operating state of the power generation system and a grid state. Further, the method includes decoupling reactive power control and voltage control between a generator and a reactive power compensation device so as to reduce an oscillatory response of a reactive power output from the reactive power compensation device and the generator. Moreover, the method includes operating, via a device controller, the reactive power compensation device in a reactive power control mode to generate at least a portion of the reactive power demand.

Abstract: A method for controlling a transformer includes specifying, in one or more control devices, an initial operating limit (e.g. an initial current limit or an initial temperature limit) for one or more windings of the transformer. Further, the method includes monitoring, via one or more sensors, at least one electrical condition of the one or more windings of the transformer (e.g. current or voltage). The method also includes receiving, by the one or more control devices, a signal indicative of the at least one electrical condition of the one or more windings of the transformer. As such, the method further includes adjusting, by the one or more control devices, the initial operating limit based at least in part on the at least one electrical condition of the one or more windings of the transformer.

Abstract: A method for operating a renewable energy power system connected to a power grid includes operating the renewable energy power system at one or more first operational settings. The method also includes monitoring the renewable energy power system for electrical oscillations caused by a grid or system disturbance. In response to detecting the electrical oscillations being above a predetermined threshold indicative of the one or more first operational settings no longer being suitable for grid conditions, the method includes changing the one or more first operational settings to one or more different, second operational settings so as to reduce the electrical oscillations in the renewable energy power system.

Abstract: A method for operating an electrical power system includes detecting a bridge current magnitude in a rotor-side converter or line-side converter of a power converter, the power converter electrically coupled between a generator rotor and a transformer. The method further includes comparing the bridge current magnitude in the one of the rotor-side converter or line-side converter to a primary predetermined threshold. The method further includes disabling bridge switching of one of the rotor-side converter or line-side converter when the bridge current magnitude exceeds the primary predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A power converter assembly for an electrical power system connected to a power grid includes a rotor-side converter configured for coupling to a generator rotor of a generator of the electrical power system, a line-side converter electrically coupled to rotor-side converter via a DC link, and a dynamic brake assembly electrically coupled to the DC link. The line-side converter is configured for coupling to the power grid. The dynamic brake assembly includes a plurality of switching devices connected in parallel and a plurality of inductors electrically coupled between the plurality of switching devices.

Abstract: A power converter assembly for an electrical power system connected to a power grid includes a rotor-side converter configured for coupling to a generator rotor of a generator of the electrical power system, a line-side converter electrically coupled to rotor-side converter via a DC link, and a dynamic brake assembly electrically coupled to the DC link. The line-side converter is configured for coupling to the power grid. The dynamic brake assembly includes a plurality of switching devices connected in parallel and a plurality of inductors electrically coupled between the plurality of switching devices.

Abstract: A method for a method for minimizing inrush of current during start-up of an alternating current (AC) electrical power system connected to a power grid includes determining a grid voltage of the power grid. The method also includes charging an AC capacitance of a grid filter of the electrical power system from an initial capacitance value to a predetermined percentage of the grid voltage. Further, the method includes connecting the electrical power system to the power grid when the AC capacitance in the grid filter reaches the predetermined percentage of the grid voltage. Moreover, the method includes initiating start-up of the electrical power system.

Abstract: A method for compensating for flicker induced by a generator connected to a power grid includes determining, via a controller of the wind turbine, a nominal reactive current command for a rotor of the generator. The method also includes measuring, via at least sensor, one or more operational parameters of at least one of the generator or the power grid. Further, the method includes determining, via a flicker compensation device, a flicker compensation parameter as a function of the one or more operational parameters. Moreover, the method includes determining, via the controller, a net reactive current command for the rotor as a function of the flicker compensation parameter and the nominal reactive current command. In addition, the method includes controlling, via the controller, the rotor of the generator based on the net reactive current command.

Abstract: A method for controlling temperature of a switching device of a power converter of an electrical power system includes monitoring, via one or more sensors, at least one operating condition of the electrical power system. Further, the method includes monitoring a temperature of the switching device. Moreover, the method includes controlling, via a control system communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors, torque of a generator of the electrical power system based on the at least one operating condition of the electrical power system so as maintain the temperature of the switching device below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for compensating for flicker induced by a generator connected to a power grid includes determining, via a controller of the wind turbine, a nominal reactive current command for a rotor of the generator. The method also includes measuring, via at least sensor, one or more operational parameters of at least one of the generator or the power grid. Further, the method includes determining, via a flicker compensation device, a flicker compensation parameter as a function of the one or more operational parameters. Moreover, the method includes determining, via the controller, a net reactive current command for the rotor as a function of the flicker compensation parameter and the nominal reactive current command. In addition, the method includes controlling, via the controller, the rotor of the generator based on the net reactive current command.

Abstract: A method for controlling temperature of a switching device of a power converter of an electrical power system includes monitoring, via one or more sensors, at least one operating condition of the electrical power system. Further, the method includes monitoring a temperature of the switching device. Moreover, the method includes controlling, via a control system communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors, torque of a generator of the electrical power system based on the at least one operating condition of the electrical power system so as maintain the temperature of the switching device below a predetermined threshold.