Modeling and experimental characterization of variable-speed centrifugal Pump used As Turbine (PAT) for the flexible generation and storage of electrical energy in a micro-grid

PAT technology has not been well developed and studied. Therefore, the availability of PAT literature is a way to improve its understanding. Since pump manufacturers provide the characteristics of their machines only in pump mode, many correlations are used in several research works for the prediction of their hydraulic behavior to obtain the characteristics in turbine mode. In this paper, the purpose is to study the hydromechanical behavior of a centrifugal pump in order to characterize and assimilate its operation in pump and turbine mode. The study leads to the characterization and quasi-static modeling of the centrifugal pump for the three modes of operation, namely as pump, reverse pump and PAT. Then, the BEP of the PAT is verified by an empirical prediction method. Finally, the electrical behavior of the PAT is evaluated through a passive load.