Impacts of unbalanced grid voltages on lifetime of DC-link capacitors of back-to-back converters in wind turbines with doubly-fed induction generators

Holger Jedtberg, Marius Langwasser, Rongwu Zhu, Giampaolo Buticchi, Thomas Ebel, Marco Liserre

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

DC-link capacitors are one of the components which fail the most in back-to-back converters (B2B) of wind turbine systems (WTS) with doubly-fed induction generators (DFIG). Due to its frequency and temperature dependent equivalent series resistance (ESR) additional low frequency current components, which have not been considered during the design stage of the converter, can cause significant additional losses which in turn lead to a decreasing lifetime of the capacitor. Unbalanced grid voltages in WTS with DFIG lead to low frequency components in the capacitor current's spectrum, which are caused by components from the grid-side converter as well as from the rotor-side converter because of the direct connection of the DFIG's stator to the grid. Therefore, in this paper, the study of impacts of unbalanced grid voltages on the hotspot temperature of DC-link capacitors in WTS with DFIG is proposed. A small scale laboratory demonstrator is presented and the measurement results are in accordance with the expectations based on analytical and simulations findings.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2017 IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2017
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages816-823
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781509053667
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 May 2017
Externally publishedYes
Event32nd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2017 - Tampa, United States
Duration: 26 Mar 201730 Mar 2017

Publication series

NameConference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC

Conference

Conference32nd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityTampa
Period26/03/1730/03/17

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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