Abstract: A hybrid power plant including a plurality of power sources and controllers, a hybrid plant controller, and a computing system. The controllers operate the power sources according to operating set points. The hybrid plant controller transmits the operating set points to the controllers. The computing system is coupled to the hybrid plant controller and receives a first set of input parameters from a first subscriber, and carries out a first level of services to which the first subscriber subscribes to determine operating parameters for the first subscriber. The computing system receives a second set of input parameters from a second subscriber and carries out a second level of services to which the second subscriber subscribes to determine operating parameters for the second subscriber. The computing system then computes the operating set points based on aggregate operating parameters for the first and second subscribers.

Abstract: A hybrid power plant including a plurality of power sources and controllers, a hybrid plant controller, and a computing system. The controllers operate the power sources according to operating set points. The hybrid plant controller transmits the operating set points to the controllers. The computing system is coupled to the hybrid plant controller and receives a first set of input parameters from a first subscriber, and carries out a first level of services to which the first subscriber subscribes to determine operating parameters for the first subscriber. The computing system receives a second set of input parameters from a second subscriber and carries out a second level of services to which the second subscriber subscribes to determine operating parameters for the second subscriber. The computing system then computes the operating set points based on aggregate operating parameters for the first and second subscribers.

Abstract: A method for reactive power control of a wind farm having a plurality of clusters of wind turbines with a cluster transformer connecting each cluster of wind turbines to a power grid is provided. The method includes receiving, via a plurality of cluster-level controllers, a reactive power command from a farm-level controller. The method also includes generating, via the cluster-level controllers, a cluster-level reactive current command for each cluster of wind turbines based on the reactive power command. Further, the method includes distributing, via the cluster-level controllers, a turbine-level reactive current command to turbine-level controllers of the wind turbines based on the cluster-level reactive current command.

Abstract: An electrical power system includes a cluster of electrical power subsystems, each of the electrical power subsystems including a power converter electrically coupled to a generator having a generator rotor and a generator stator. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid. The converter power path includes a partial power transformer. The electrical power system further includes a subsystem breaker configured with each of the electrical power subsystems, and a cluster transformer for connecting each cluster of electrical power subsystems to the power grid. The electrical power system further includes a cluster power path extending between each subsystem breaker and the cluster transformer, and a distortion filter electrically coupled to the cluster transformer. The distortion filter reduces harmonics in current flowing from the electrical power subsystems to the cluster transformer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a cluster transformer operably coupled to cluster of DFIG wind turbines in low-wind conditions are provided. A wind turbine cluster system can include at least one DFIG module, a cluster transformer, and a control device configured to control operation of the cluster transformer based at least in part on a wind parameter. Each DFIG module can include a doubly fed induction generator comprising a rotor configured to generate AC power at a first voltage, a stator configured to generate AC power at a second voltage, and a power conversion system coupled to the rotor to convert power at the first voltage to power at the second voltage. The cluster transformer can be configured to receive power at the second voltage from the at least one DFIG module and convert the power at the second voltage to power at a third voltage.

Abstract: A method for reactive power control of a wind farm having a plurality of clusters of wind turbines with a cluster transformer connecting each cluster of wind turbines to a power grid is provided. The method includes receiving, via a plurality of cluster-level controllers, a reactive power command from a farm-level controller. The method also includes generating, via the cluster-level controllers, a cluster-level reactive current command for each cluster of wind turbines based on the reactive power command. Further, the method includes distributing, via the cluster-level controllers, a turbine-level reactive current command to turbine-level controllers of the wind turbines based on the cluster-level reactive current command.

Abstract: An electrical power system includes a cluster of electrical power subsystems, each of the electrical power subsystems including a power converter electrically coupled to a generator having a generator rotor and a generator stator. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid, the converter power path including a partial power transformer. Each of the electrical power subsystems further includes a low voltage distribution panel electrically coupled to the converter power path, a first switch on the stator power path, and a second switch on the converter power path.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for protecting an electrical power system connected to a power grid. The electrical power system includes at least one cluster of electrical power subsystems. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid. The converter power path includes a partial power transformer. The electrical power system further includes a subsystem switch configured with each of the electrical power subsystems and a cluster transformer connecting each cluster of electrical power subsystems to the power grid. A cluster switch is configured with the cluster transformer. A controller is communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of electrical power subsystems. Thus, the controller monitors the electrical power system for faults, and if a fault is detected in the cluster, sends, via one of the subsystem switches or the power converters, a block signal to the cluster switch.

Abstract: An electrical power system includes a cluster of electrical power subsystems, each of the electrical power subsystems including a power converter electrically coupled to a generator having a generator rotor and a generator stator. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid, the converter power path including a partial power transformer. Each of the electrical power subsystems further includes a low voltage distribution panel electrically coupled to the converter power path, a first switch on the stator power path, and a second switch on the converter power path.

Abstract: An electrical power system includes a cluster of electrical power subsystems, each of the electrical power subsystems including a power converter electrically coupled to a generator having a generator rotor and a generator stator. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid. The converter power path includes a partial power transformer. The electrical power system further includes a subsystem breaker configured with each of the electrical power subsystems, and a cluster transformer for connecting each cluster of electrical power subsystems to the power grid. The electrical power system further includes a cluster power path extending between each subsystem breaker and the cluster transformer, and a distortion filter electrically coupled to the cluster transformer. The distortion filter reduces harmonics in current flowing from the electrical power subsystems to the cluster transformer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for protecting an electrical power system connected to a power grid. The electrical power system includes at least one cluster of electrical power subsystems. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid. The converter power path includes a partial power transformer. The electrical power system further includes a subsystem switch configured with each of the electrical power subsystems and a cluster transformer connecting each cluster of electrical power subsystems to the power grid. A cluster switch is configured with the cluster transformer. A controller is communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of electrical power subsystems. Thus, the controller monitors the electrical power system for faults, and if a fault is detected in the cluster, sends, via one of the subsystem switches or the power converters, a block signal to the cluster switch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a cluster transformer operably coupled to cluster of DFIG wind turbines in low-wind conditions are provided. A wind turbine cluster system can include at least one DFIG module, a cluster transformer, and a control device configured to control operation of the cluster transformer based at least in part on a wind parameter. Each DFIG module can include a doubly fed induction generator comprising a rotor configured to generate AC power at a first voltage, a stator configured to generate AC power at a second voltage, and a power conversion system coupled to the rotor to convert power at the first voltage to power at the second voltage. The cluster transformer can be configured to receive power at the second voltage from the at least one DFIG module and convert the power at the second voltage to power at a third voltage.

Abstract: Apparatus for conditioning power generated by an energy source includes an inverter for converting a DC input voltage from the energy source to a square wave AC output voltage, and a converter for converting the AC output voltage from the inverter to a sine wave AC output voltage.

Abstract: A novel power conditioning converter which provides a significant reduction in input current ripple (<1%), with efficiency above 90% and reduced thermal management is proposed. The converter in discussion has a sort-switched, multilevel, high frequency converter, which acts as an interface between the dc/dc boost and the ac/ac converter. This paper presents a detailed description of the operation of the converter and highlights the important features and advantages. SABER simulation results are presented to provide an improved understanding of the switching mechanisms. A discussion on the implementation of the converter and the status of ongoing work is presented.