Abstract: A method for optimizing reactive power generation of an electrical power system includes generating, via a plurality of cluster-level controllers, a cluster-level reactive power command for each cluster of electrical power subsystems based on a system-level reactive power command. The method also includes determining, via the cluster-level controllers, a subsystem-level reactive power command for each of the electrical power subsystems based on the cluster-level reactive power command. Further, the method includes evaluating, via a plurality of subsystem-level controllers, reactive power capability of a plurality of reactive power sources within each of the electrical power subsystems. Moreover, the method includes generating, via each of the subsystem-level controllers, an actual reactive power for each of the electrical power subsystems based on the evaluation by allocating a portion of the subsystem-level reactive power command to each of the plurality of reactive power sources.

Abstract: A control method for increasing reactive power generation of a wind turbine having a Doubly-Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) includes obtaining, by a control device having one or more processors and one or more memory devices, wind forecast data of the wind turbine. Further, the method includes generating, by the control device, a real-time thermal model of the DFIG of the wind turbine using the wind forecast data. More specifically, the thermal model defines a thermal capacity for the DFIG that does not exceed system limits. Thus, the method also includes dynamically adjusting, by the control device, a reactive power set point of the DFIG of the wind turbine based on the real-time thermal model.

Abstract: A method for isolating faults in an electrical power system connected to a power grid includes dividing the electrical power system into a plurality of power modules each including a plurality of electrical power subsystems and a substation. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid and having a partial power transformer. The method also includes coupling each of the power modules to the power grid via a primary electrical line. Further, the method includes monitoring the electrical power system for faults. In response to detecting a fault in one of the power modules, the method includes isolating the fault to the power module experiencing the fault. In contrast, if the fault is detected in the primary electrical line or the power grid, the method includes tripping the electrical power system.

Abstract: A control method for dynamically controlling active and reactive power capability of a wind farm includes obtaining one or more real-time operating parameters of each of the wind turbines. The method also includes obtaining one or more system limits of each of the wind turbines. Further, the method includes measuring at least one real-time wind condition at each of the wind turbines. Moreover, the method includes continuously calculating an overall maximum active power capability and an overall maximum reactive power capability for each of the wind turbines as a function of the real-time operating parameters, the system limits, and/or the real-time wind condition. Further, the method includes generating a generator capability curve for each of the wind turbines using the overall maximum active and reactive power capabilities and communicating the generator capability curves to a farm-level controller of the wind farm that can use the curves to maximize the instantaneous power output of the wind farm.

Abstract: An electrical power system includes a system-level controller and a plurality of clusters of subsystems defining 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 system further includes a cluster transformer connecting each cluster to the power grid and a plurality of cluster-level controllers communicatively coupled with the system-level controller. Each of the clusters is communicatively coupled with one of the cluster-level controllers. Thus, the system-level controller regulates system-level active and/or reactive power based on required active or reactive power for the system, respectively, and compares the system-level active or reactive power with preferred values thereof.

Abstract: A multi-farm wind power dispatch management system is provided which includes wind turbine dispatch controllers for controlling wind power dispatch of respective wind farm components and wind farm dispatch management systems for receiving respective wind farm component operating parameters and generating respective farm-level operating parameters. The system also includes group dispatch management systems for receiving the farm-level operating parameters and generating respective group level operating parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for balancing reactive power loading between multiple renewable energy power systems coupled to a power grid at a point of regulation (POR). The method includes determining a voltage error based on a voltage reference and a measured voltage at the POR. The method also includes measuring at least one operating condition from each of the power systems. Further, the method includes determining a per unit actual reactive power for each of the power systems based on at least one of the actual operating conditions and determining a per unit average reactive power from the power systems based on at least one of the actual operating conditions. Thus, the method also includes determining a voltage reference command for each of the power systems as a function of the voltage error, the per unit reactive power, and/or the per unit average reactive power.

Abstract: A system for commissioning a wind turbine is provided. The system includes a test wind turbine, one or more additional wind turbines coupled to the test wind turbine, and a control system. The control system includes a first control module for controlling the one or more additional wind turbines to act as a power source and provide power to the test wind turbine. The control system also includes a second control module for controlling the one or more additional wind turbines to act as a load for dissipating test power generated by the test wind turbine.

Abstract: Power converters for use in wind turbine systems are included. For instance, a wind turbine system can include a wind driven doubly fed induction generator having a stator and a rotor. The stator is configured to provide a medium voltage alternating current power on a stator bus of the wind turbine system. The wind turbine system includes a power converter configured to convert a low voltage alternating current power provided by the rotor to a medium voltage multiphase alternating current output power suitable for provision to an electrical grid. The power converter includes a plurality conversion modules. Each conversion module includes a plurality of bridge circuits. Each bridge circuit includes a plurality of silicon carbide switching devices coupled in series. Each conversion module is configured to provide a single phase of the medium voltage multiphase alternating current output power on a line bus of the wind turbine system.

Abstract: A hybrid power generation system is presented. The system includes a first power generation subsystem including a prime mover driving a generator including a rotor and a stator, one or more first conversion units coupled to at least one of the rotor and the stator, a first direct current (DC) link, and one or more second conversion units coupled to a corresponding one or more first conversion units via the first DC link. The system includes one or more second power generation subsystems coupled to the first power generation subsystem and one or more power conversion subunits including one or more first bridge circuits coupled to a corresponding one or more second bridge circuits via one or more transformers, where at least one of the one or more second power generation subsystems and the first power generation subsystem includes the one or more power conversion subunits.

Abstract: Power converters for use in energy systems are included. For instance, an energy system can include an input power source configured to provide a low voltage direct current power. The energy system can include a power converter configured to convert the low voltage direct current power provided by the input power source to a medium voltage multiphase alternating current output power suitable for provision to an alternating current power system. The power converter can include a plurality conversion modules. Each conversion module includes a plurality of bridge circuits. Each bridge circuit includes a plurality of silicon carbide switching devices coupled in series. Each conversion module is configured to provide a single phase of the medium voltage multiphase alternating current output power on a line bus of the energy system.

Abstract: Power converters for use in wind turbine systems are included. For instance, a wind turbine system can include a full power generator having a stator and a rotor. The generator is configured to provide a low voltage alternating current power on a stator bus of the wind turbine system. The wind turbine system includes a power converter configured to convert the low voltage alternating current power provided on the stator bus to a medium voltage multiphase alternating current output power suitable for provision to the electrical grid. The power converter includes a plurality of conversion modules, each conversion module comprising a plurality of bridge circuits. Each bridge circuit includes a plurality of silicon carbide switching devices coupled in series. Each conversion module is configured to provide a single phase of the medium voltage multiphase alternating current output power on a line bus of the wind turbine system.

Abstract: An electrical system for controlling a wind turbine is provided. The electrical system includes a first resistive element, a storage element and a controller. The first resistive element and the storage element are coupled to a DC link of the wind turbine. The controller is used for switching between the first resistive element and the storage element in response to a grid side fault condition to minimize mechanical loads induced by the grid side fault condition.

Abstract: A system for automatic generation control in a wind farm is provided. The system includes a wind farm controller for controlling the plurality of energy storage elements. The wind farm controller receives an automatic generation control set point from an independent system operator, generates a farm-level storage power set point for the wind farm based on the automatic generation control set point, generates individual storage power set points for the plurality of energy storage elements based on states of charge of the respective energy storage elements, and controls the plurality of energy storage elements based on the individual storage power set points for dispatching storage power to perform automatic generation control.

Abstract: A system includes a source side converter for being electrically coupled to a generator of a power source, a line side converter for being electrically coupled to a power network, a DC link coupled between the source side converter and the line side converter, and a controller for generating source side switching signals based on a current or torque of the generator and a virtual impedance signal for system damping or reactive power compensation when at least one detected signal of the system is not normal. A method for controlling the system is also included.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for balancing reactive power loading between multiple renewable energy power systems coupled to a power grid at a point of regulation (POR). The method includes determining a voltage error based on a voltage reference and a measured voltage at the POR. The method also includes measuring at least one operating condition from each of the power systems. Further, the method includes determining a per unit actual reactive power for each of the power systems based on at least one of the actual operating conditions and determining a per unit average reactive power from the power systems based on at least one of the actual operating conditions. Thus, the method also includes determining a voltage reference command for each of the power systems as a function of the voltage error, the per unit reactive power, and/or the per unit average reactive power.

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 method for controlling a wind farm including a plurality of wind turbines is provided. The method includes computing an error between a farm-level base point power and a measured wind farm power, generating an aggregated farm-level active power set point for the wind farm based on the error and a frequency response set point, generating aggregated turbine-level active power set points based on the aggregated farm-level active power set point, transmitting the aggregated turbine-level active power set points, determining aero power set points and storage power set points for the respective wind turbines and energy storage elements of the respective wind turbines from the aggregated turbine-level active power set points, and controlling the plurality of wind turbines for delivering aero power based on the respective aero power set points and controlling the energy storage elements to provide storage power based on the respective storage power set points.

Abstract: A yaw backup system is provided. The yaw backup system includes an energy storage medium for storing auxiliary power. The yaw backup system also includes a yaw controller for coordinating delivery of power from the energy storage medium to a yaw motor for controlling a yaw angle of a wind turbine during grid loss conditions. The yaw controller executes the steps of receiving wind direction signals over time from a sensor, altering a tolerance level of a wind turbine based on changes in the wind direction signals over time and controlling delivery of power to the yaw motor from the auxiliary power of the energy storage medium based on the tolerance level to control the yaw angle for reducing a load on the wind turbine induced by wind.

Abstract: An electrical system for controlling a wind turbine is provided. The electrical system includes a first resistive element, a storage element and a controller. The first resistive element and the storage element are coupled to a DC link of the wind turbine. The controller is used for switching between the first resistive element and the storage element in response to a grid side fault condition to minimize mechanical loads induced by the grid side fault condition.