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 an electrical power system includes disabling bridge switching of one of the rotor-side converter or line-side converter. The method further includes gating on the dynamic brake after the disabling occurs, comparing a power converter input variable to a primary predetermined variable threshold, and forcing the gated-on dynamic brake to a 100 percent duty cycle when the power converter input variable exceeds the primary predetermined variable threshold.

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: Systems and methods for protecting switching devices in a power converter in doubly fed induction generator power systems are provided. A DFIG system can include a DFIG generator and a power converter comprising a line side converter and a rotor side converter connected by a DC bus. Each of the line side converter and rotor side converter can include a plurality of bridge circuits. Each bridge circuit can include a plurality of switching devices. A method can include monitoring, by a control device, a voltage of the DC bus of the power converter. The method can further include implementing, by the control device, a switching device protection measure based at least in part on the voltage of the DC bus of the power converter. The switching device protection measure can be operable to protect the switching devices by operating the switching devices within a safe operating area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting switching devices in a power converter in doubly fed induction generator power systems are provided. A DFIG system can include a DFIG generator and a power converter comprising a line side converter and a rotor side converter connected by a DC bus. Each of the line side converter and rotor side converter can include a plurality of bridge circuits. Each bridge circuit can include a plurality of switching devices. A method can include monitoring, by a control device, a voltage of the DC bus of the power converter. The method can further include implementing, by the control device, a switching device protection measure based at least in part on the voltage of the DC bus of the power converter. The switching device protection measure can be operable to protect the switching devices by operating the switching devices within a safe operating area.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electrical cabinet for an electrical assembly for a wind turbine. The electrical cabinet has one or more walls that define an internal volume having one or more electrical components configured therein. One or more of the walls includes an inner panel and an outer panel mounted to the inner panel. The inner panel includes an inner vent and the outer panel includes an outer vent. Further, the panels are arranged together so as to define a flow path between the inner and outer vents. Thus, during normal operation, air is directed from outside of the electrical cabinet to the internal volume of the electrical cabinet via the flow path so as to cool the one or more electrical components. Further, during a fault event, gas is permitted to exit the internal volume of the electrical cabinet via the flow path.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for optimizing operation of a wind turbine. The method includes providing a voltage regulator between a power grid and the wind turbine. The voltage regulator is configured to control at least one voltage condition of the wind turbine. Another step includes monitoring, via one or more sensors, at least one operating condition and at least one voltage condition of the wind turbine. The method also includes comparing, via a controller, at least one of the operating condition or the voltage condition with a predetermined threshold to determine a margin-to-threshold ratio. Thus, a further step includes controlling the voltage regulator based on the comparison so as to maximize the margin-to-threshold ratio.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electrical cabinet for an electrical assembly for a wind turbine. The electrical cabinet has one or more walls that define an internal volume having one or more electrical components configured therein. One or more of the walls includes an inner panel and an outer panel mounted to the inner panel. The inner panel includes an inner vent and the outer panel includes an outer vent. Further, the panels are arranged together so as to define a flow path between the inner and outer vents. Thus, during normal operation, air is directed from outside of the electrical cabinet to the internal volume of the electrical cabinet via the flow path so as to cool the one or more electrical components. Further, during a fault event, gas is permitted to exit the internal volume of the electrical cabinet via the flow path.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for operating a wind turbine connected to a power grid. The method includes receiving, via a controller, one or more current feedback signals from one or more electric current sensors of the wind turbine. Another step includes determining, via the controller, if a ground fault is occurring in the wind turbine based on the current feedback signals. In response to detecting a ground fault, the method includes tripping one or more electrical components of the wind turbine and electrically de-coupling the wind turbine from the power grid.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for operating a wind turbine connected to a power grid. The method includes receiving, via a controller, one or more current feedback signals from one or more electric current sensors of the wind turbine. Another step includes determining, via the controller, if a ground fault is occurring in the wind turbine based on the current feedback signals. In response to detecting a ground fault, the method includes tripping one or more electrical components of the wind turbine and electrically de-coupling the wind turbine from the power grid.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for optimizing operation of a wind turbine. The method includes providing a voltage regulator between a power grid and the wind turbine. The voltage regulator is configured to control at least one voltage condition of the wind turbine. Another step includes monitoring, via one or more sensors, at least one operating condition and at least one voltage condition of the wind turbine. The method also includes comparing, via a controller, at least one of the operating condition or the voltage condition with a predetermined threshold to determine a margin-to-threshold ratio. Thus, a further step includes controlling the voltage regulator based on the comparison so as to maximize the margin-to-threshold ratio.

Abstract: A power converter system includes a converter, a DC link, an inverter, a damping circuit, and a control system. The converter includes an input to couple to a power generation unit and an output to provide a direct current (DC) DC power output. The DC link includes a capacitor coupled to the converter output. A voltage across the capacitor defines a DC link voltage. The inverter includes an input coupled to the DC link. The damping circuit is coupled between the converter and the inverter in parallel with the DC link capacitor. The damping circuit includes a normally closed switching device, and a resistor coupled in series with the normally closed switching device. The control system is coupled to the damping circuit and configured to control the normally closed switching device as a function of at least one operating parameter of the power converter system.

Abstract: A method for operating a power generation system that supplies power for application to a load is disclosed. The method may generally include receiving, at a power converter, an alternating current power generated by a generator operating at a speed that is substantially equal to its synchronous speed and converting, with the power converter, the alternating current power to an output power, wherein the power converter includes at least one switching element. In addition, the method may include receiving a control command to control a switching frequency of the at least one switching element and adjusting the switching frequency to an adjusted switching frequency that is substantially equal to a fundamental frequency of the load.

Abstract: A method for operating a power generation system that supplies power for application to a load is disclosed. The method may generally include receiving, at a power converter, an alternating current power generated by a generator operating at a speed that is substantially equal to its synchronous speed and converting, with the power converter, the alternating current power to an output power, wherein the power converter includes at least one switching element. In addition, the method may include receiving a control command to control a switching frequency of the at least one switching element and adjusting the switching frequency to an adjusted switching frequency that is substantially equal to a fundamental frequency of the load.

Abstract: A power converter system includes a converter, a DC link, an inverter, a damping circuit, and a control system. The converter includes an input to couple to a power generation unit and an output to provide a direct current (DC) DC power output. The DC link includes a capacitor coupled to the converter output. A voltage across the capacitor defines a DC link voltage. The inverter includes an input coupled to the DC link. The damping circuit is coupled between the converter and the inverter in parallel with the DC link capacitor. The damping circuit includes a normally closed switching device, and a resistor coupled in series with the normally closed switching device. The control system is coupled to the damping circuit and configured to control the normally closed switching device as a function of at least one operating parameter of the power converter system.