Optymalizacja przetwarzania energii dla małych elektrowni wodnych z generatorami pracującymi ze zmienną prędkością obrotową

Electrical generators for today's Small Hydropower Plants (SHP) are designed for a constant rotation speed. Changes of energy provided by water depend on water flow, which is very unreliable for small rivers. Therefore, full efficiency can be achieved for power technology with generators working at a variable speed. This paper presents a concept of a energy conversion system optimization for application in a SHP which is based on a permanent magnet (PM) generators with a propeller turbine integrated with the generator rotors. These PM generators can work at a variable speed and therefore energy produced by the PM generators have to be converted by means of a power electronic unit to fit to the three-phase power grid parameters. The elements of such SHP are described. Due to non-linear turbine characteristics it is necessary to formulate a suitable control algorithm for the whole system of energy conversion therefore the control system principles for optimal power dividing on two exemplary hydro-sets are discussed.