Fault-Tolerant Performance of the Novel Five-Phase Doubly-Fed Induction Generator

The article presents the concept of a new design of a multi-phase doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG). The innovative design approach uses a five-phase power supply from the rotor side of the generator with a three-phase classic stator power supply. Modern three-phase doubly-fed induction generators are the dominant choice for Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS). Solutions of this type are sensitive to the loss of at least one phase of the power supply from the rotor side due to the failure of the rotor side inverter. The proposed design solution in the form of a multi-phase power supply in the rotor circuit aims to extend the range of possible failure-free operation of the generator system, thus reducing system downtime due to the failure of power electronic systems. The correctness of the adopted conceptual assumptions was confirmed by the results of laboratory tests. The main contribution is to prove that using five-phase rotor winding improves the overall reliability of the proposed electrical energy generation system significantly.