Electric Power Systems Research 163 (2018) 49–58

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Electric Power Systems Research

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/epsr

Experimental validation of a hybrid TD/FEHD model of a wind turbine T

generator for harmonic transient analysis
⁎
Uriel Vargasa, , George Cristian Lazaroiub, Abner Ramireza
a
Electrical Engineering Department, CINVESTAV Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
b
University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, University MARITIMA of Constanta, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania

A R T I C LE I N FO A B S T R A C T

Keywords: Harmonic transient analysis of wind turbine generators (WTGs) requires reliable models to reproduce harmonic
Harmonics dynamics accurately and to ensure that such models perform closely to actual components.
Reduced-order model A recent harmonic modeling technique, named flexible extended harmonic domain (FEHD), is adopted in this
Synchronous generator paper as part of the proposed approach. FEHD provides reduced-order extended harmonic domain (EHD) models
Transmission and distribution
that include an arbitrary number of harmonics (not necessarily sequentially-numbered) in each state/part of the
Wind turbine
system; thus, leading to computational burden improvement while keeping accuracy and high-frequency ripple
information.
The adopted FEHD together with time-domain (TD) are interfaced in this paper to produce a hybrid TD/
FEHD, which is used to model a synchronous-based WTG. In the proposed WTG model, the whole system is
divided into TD-based and FEHD-based subsystems. These two subsystems can use distinct integration time-
steps; thus, leading to improvement in CPU-time compared to pure EHD models, without losing accuracy. The
criterion to select both subsystems consists on simulation requirements, i.e., using TD for the zone where
averaged dynamics are sufficient whilst FEHD is used where high-order harmonic dynamics are important for
harmonic transient analysis.
The obtained results are verified with experimental data and validated with PSCAD/EMTDC, revealing a very
good agreement.

1. Introduction adding a boost converter, is presented in Ref. [6]. An equivalent model

With the increased installation of wind turbine generators (WTGs)
as alternative energy sources, harmonic dynamic performance of power
systems has become an important topic [1], particularly due to the
involved use of power electronic converters.
Harmonic dynamics in WTGs play a major role to understand power
quality problems, e.g., total harmonic distortion, mechanical vibration
in transformers, among others [1,2]; although, it can become a complex
computational issue due to large sizes in the corresponding modeling
[3].
Nowadays, variable-speed WTGs based on wound-rotor synchro-
nous generator (WRSG) are increasingly attractive as they can be con-
nected using a direct-drive system, i.e., without a mechanical gearbox,
using full-range power electronic converters to feed the grid [4].
There are multiple publications on the analysis of WTGs with full-
range power electronic converters. In Ref. [5], a dynamic state esti-
mation of a variable-speed WTG is proposed. An experimental appli-
cation of a synchronous generator, which provides enhanced control by
of type-3 wind power plants model, aimed at reproducing dynamic
behavior when an electromagnetic transient occurs in the host power
system, is presented in Ref. [7]. The proposal of Ref. [7] is composed of
two parts: i) a frequency-dependent network of all passive elements in a
wideband frequency range and ii) a low-frequency equivalent model
that represents the aggregated WTG and its corresponding supervisory
control. Stability assessment of wind farms, evaluation of robustness of
controls schemes for large disturbances, and multivariable control
methods are investigated in [8–10], respectively. A type-3 WTG model,
based on phasor domain, is presented in Ref. [11], aimed at system
protection studies and evaluation of short circuit contributions.
In Ref. [12], a mechanical structural modeling of a wind turbine is
carried out for the inclusion of edgewise vibration dynamics of the
blades and the tower, whereas in Refs. [13] and [14], mechanical dy-
namic simulations are performed by using specialized software tools as
ADAMS, FAST, and Matlab/Simulink. However, in most cases, power
electronic converters are simplified by using simple controlled voltage
sources. Thus, neglecting harmonics that represent a key point to

⁎
Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: uvargas@gdl.cinvestav.mx (U. Vargas), cristian.lazaroiu@upb.ro (G.C. Lazaroiu), abner.ramirez@cinvestav.mx (A. Ramirez).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2018.05.025
Received 25 February 2018; Received in revised form 20 April 2018; Accepted 23 May 2018
0378-7796/ © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
U. Vargas et al.
understand and analyze harmonic interaction phenomena.
In Ref. [15], a methodology for analyzing transient behavior of
harmonics associated with the interfacing of a synchronous generator
and a transmission line is described. A WTG model based on doubly-fed
induction generator, aimed at harmonic transient simulation, is pro-
posed in Ref. [16]. A major advantage of the proposal in Ref. [16],
compared to traditional implementation of extended harmonic domain
(EHD), is computational savings achieved via grouping of harmonics.
Evaluation of the effects of harmonics, inter-harmonics, and supra-
harmonics caused by switching the back-to-back (BTB) converter of a
type-3 WTG on AC distribution network, is presented in Ref. [17]. The
proposal in Ref. [17] aims at analyzing fluctuations in network fre-
quency, developing DC voltage in AC side, and voltage noise emission
using Matlab in a real-time manner. In Ref. [18], assessment of har-
monic stability and resonance effects in large permanent magnet syn-
chronous generators-based wind power plants with full power elec-
tronic converters is described. The main characteristics of the
methodology proposed in Ref. [18] are resonance frequency identifi-
cation and harmonic stability via representation of the wind power
plant as a multi-input multi-output control system.
As for harmonic transient analysis, existent WTG models require: i)
very small time-steps to account for the high-frequencies, inherent of
switching converters, resulting in lengthy simulations, ii) a post-pro-
cessing algorithm to obtain harmonic dynamics, commonly using the
fast Fourier transform as basis, and iii) detail models of power elec-
tronic converters.
This paper proposes an alternative approach to model WTG systems
based on interfacing time-domain (TD) and flexible extended harmonic
domain (FEHD) techniques. The contributions of this paper are sum-
marized as: i) the proposed modeling divides the whole system into
slow and fast-dynamics subsystems to facilitate harmonic dynamics
monitoring in the appropriate zones, ii) it is able to utilize distinct in-
tegration time-steps; thus, providing a computationally efficient WTG
model compared to existent software tools, and iii) it provides accurate
reduced-size WTG model as result of the adopted FEHD methodology.
In addition, FEHD subsystem can be extended to include inter-harmo-
nics if required [19].
A case study is presented and the obtained results are verified with
experimental data of a synchronous generator based wind turbine lo-
cated in an onshore wind farm, in Romania. Experimental data has been
taken from a power quality analyzer connected at the interface of the
filter and step-up transformer and from a supervisory control and data
acquisition remote software.
TD variables are compared with those measurements that involve
averaged dynamics, e.g., machine speed. FEHD variables are compared
with measured data taken from the power quality analyzer, e.g., total
harmonic distortion. The results provided by the proposed TD/FEHD
model are also compared and verified with those given by the PSCAD/
EMTDC software tool [20].
2. Switched system modeling
This section aims at presenting the basics of the two modeling
techniques adopted in this paper for transient analysis of WTGs.
2.1. Time-domain
TD modeling is a mature technique for representing a linear time-
periodic system since the behavior of each part of the system can be
readily defined and interpreted. Furthermore, TD methods can deal
with nonlinear elements and switched devices in a straightforward
manner. Numerical methods, such as the trapezoidal rule of integration,
are used to solve the resultant ordinary differential equations re-
presenting the linear time-periodic system. A potential drawback of TD
models is the small time-step that has to be used in the numerical so-
lution when high-frequency dynamics are present.
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Electric Power Systems Research 163 (2018) 49–58
Generally, an nth order linear time-periodic system can be re-
presented in TD as [21]:
x˙ (t ) = a (t ) x (t ) + b (t ) u (t ),
y (t ) = c (t ) x (t ) + d (t ) u (t ), (1)
where a, b, c, and d represent the state, input, output, and feedthrough
matrices, respectively; x, y, and u denote state-variable, output, and
input column vectors, respectively.
2.2. Flexible extended harmonic domain
The FEHD technique can be seen as a reduced-order re-structured
EHD [3] modeling that involves non-sequentially numbered harmonics
in each state/part of the switched network. The practical FEHD im-
plementation involves two basic steps: i) harmonic selection in each
part of the network based on its topology and ii) re-structuration of
Toeplitz-type matrices to perform convolution between two vectors that
contain distinct harmonic spectrum.
Any particular element (denoted by superscript i) of matrix a(t)
(similarly for b(t), c(t) and d(t)) in (1) can be expressed as the Fourier
series expansion given by:
h
ai (t ) = ∑ ak (t ) e jkωo t ,
k =−h (2)
where h represents the highest harmonic under analysis with ωo being
the fundamental power frequency.
Basically, the FEHD technique permits to transform, via Eq. (2), the
linear time-periodic system Eq. (1) into a reduced-order EHD model as
in Eq. (3).
X˙ (t ) + NX (t ) = AX (t ) + BU ,
Y (t ) = CX (t ) + DU , (3)
where the differentiation matrix, arranged as a block-diagonal matrix
N, is given by diag{− jkhωo, …, − jk1ωo, 0, jk1ωo, …, jkhωo} repeated n
times (with kj being the selected dominant harmonics under study).
Moreover, the new set of matrix elements, A, B, C and D in Eq. (3),
become re-structured Toeplitz-type matrices given by the harmonic
content of outputs, inputs, and switching functions [19].
Finally, the solution vector X(t) in Eq. (3) represents an FEHD
column vector involving the selected dominant harmonics/inter-har-
monics in each state/part of the system. For example, for a generic state
we have:
X i (t ) = [ x −kh (t ) ⋯ x −k1 (t ) x o (t ) xk1 (t ) ⋯ xkh (t )]T , (4)
where xkj represents a harmonic/inter-harmonic complex coefficient
and T indicates transpose. Due to space limitations, please refer to Ref.
[19] for further details of the FEHD technique.
3. Wind turbine generator modeling
This section only presents the TD models of the individual WTG
mechanical and electrical parts. In Section 5, TD and FEHD subsystems,
corresponding to specific parts of the WTG system, are defined. The
main modeling expressions are listed, whilst parameter definitions are
included in Appendix A.
3.1. General description
The wind turbine under analysis is installed in an onshore wind
farm, in Romania. The schematic representation of the WTG system
adopted in this paper, aimed at reproducing dynamics of the real
system, is depicted in Fig. 1. As generator’s output voltage and fre-
quency vary according to the wind speed, they are converted via a
rectifier/inverter arrangement to be fed into the grid. The turbine is
connected to a direct-drive synchronous generator through a shaft
U. Vargas et al.
Fig. 1. Schematic representation of the WTG system.
system. Stator windings are fed by the BTB stator-side converter (SSC),
whereas grid-side converter (GSC) terminals are connected to the net-
work through an LC low-pass filter bank in series with a step-up
transformer to the appropriate medium voltage level. The rectifier al-
lows rotational speed control to be optimized. By adjusting the blades,
rotational speed and power machine are constantly monitored to avoid
overloading. The inverter system ensures that the power output corre-
sponds to grid specifications. Parameters in Fig. 1 are explained
throughout this paper. Please note that, due to disclosure agreement,
further details cannot be declared in the paper.
It is mentioned at this point that, aimed at harmonic transient
analysis, only aerodynamics and the multi-inertia drivetrain are con-
sidered for the mechanical part. On the other hand, fatigue, structure,
and turbulence analysis are relegated for future research.
3.2. Aerodynamic model
Aerodynamics is a very important topic in simulation of WTGs. The
aerodynamic part represents power extraction from the wind, i.e.,
provides a mechanical torque as function of the air flow on the blades.
The wind speed can be considered as the averaged incident wind speed
over the area swept by the blades [22].
In this paper, the relationships for mechanical torque, Tt, and gen-
erated power, Pt, by the turbine, are taken from Refs. [20] and [23],
and slightly modified to fit the measured data. The main expressions
are:
v RΩt
γ = 1.73 Ωw , λ = vw
,
t
CP = 0.57(γ − 0.022β 2 − 5.6) e−0.17γ ,
2C
ρπR3v w
Tt =
p
, Pt = 0.5ρπR2vw3 Cp. (5)
2λ
3.3. Torsional shaft system
The mechanical power transmission is constituted by the blades
linked to the hub that is directly connected to the generator. A two-
mass model, as shown in Fig. 1, which represents the two most im-
portant inertias, i.e., machine and turbine inertias, is adopted in this
paper [22]. Under this assumption, mechanical dynamics are described
by:
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Electric Power Systems Research 163 (2018) 49–58
Jt Ω˙ t = −(Btm + Bt ) Ωt + Btm Ωm − Ktm Θt + Ktm Θm + Tt ,
Jm Ω˙ m = Btm Ωt − (Btm + Bm) Ωm + Ktm Θt − Ktm Θm + Te,
Ωt = ωt / P , Ωm = ωm / P , Θt = θt / P , Θm = θm / P , (6)
where Ω/ω and Θ/θ variables denote mechanical/electrical speed and
mechanical/electrical angular displacement, respectively; subscripts t
and m indicate turbine and machine side.
3.4. Low-speed synchronous generator
This paper assumes a three-phase, wye-connected, and salient-pole
synchronous generator. The stator windings are identically distributed
windings and the rotor is equipped with a field winding and three
damper windings. One damper winding has the same magnetic axis as
the field winding, whilst the second and the third are displaced 90°
ahead of the magnetic axis. Under this idealized model, using generator
convention, the voltage equations in machine variables are expressed in
matrix form as [24]:
d d
Vabcs = −rs iabcs + λ abc s, Vdq r = rr idq r + λ dqr ,
dt dt (7)
where s and r subscripts denote variables associated with the stator and
rotor, considering all variables referred to the stator.
In Eq. (7), the flux linkages are written as [24]:
λ − Ls Lsr ⎤ iabcs
⎡ λabcs ⎤ = ⎡⎢− 2 L T ⎡ ⎤.
Lr ⎥ idqr
⎣ dqr ⎦ ⎣ 3 sr ⎦⎣ ⎦ (8)
3.5. Back-to-back converter
For controlling power flow from the machine to the grid and to
ensure grid compliance, a BTB converter is coupled to the generator.
The detailed BTB system, shown in Fig. 2, consists of two three-level,
three-phase, and neutral-point clamped voltage source converters.
Based on reference directions in Fig. 2, the TD state-space model of the
BTB converter is given by:
d
CDC vDCj = Sa1 − j isa + Sb1 − j isb + Sc1 − j isc + Ta1 − j iga + Tb1 − j igb + Tc1 − j igc,
dt
(9)
where Sx and Tx (x stands for a, b, or c phase) represent switching
functions by the adopted PWM scheme for three-level half-bridge
neutral-point clamped [25]; subscript j indicates capacitor number in
U. Vargas et al.
Fig. 2. BTB converter schematic representation.
Fig. 2.
3.6. LC Filter bank and transformer
To limit harmonic injection from the inverter to the rest of the
network, an LC low-pass filter bank is connected immediately after the
inverter [25]; then, via a transformer, inverter voltage is stepped up to
appropriate medium voltage level, Fig. 3. Based on reference directions
in Fig. 3, the set of ordinary differential equations corresponding to the
filter and transformer arrangement is given by:
d x
Lf i
dt g
= vfx − Tx1 − 1 vDC1 − Tx1 − 2 vDC2,
d x d x
Cf v
dt f
= −igx + itx , Lf i
dt t
= −vfx − Rf itx + vtx ,
vn = Kt vt , Kt in = it .
(10)
4. Control scheme
Controls become an indispensable topic due to the applicable AC-
grid codes at the point of common coupling and because of the eco-
nomical optimization of the WTG. To meet these requirements, WTG
operation is divided into two regions. In region 1, which corresponds to
wind speed lower than the rated, control maximizes the energy cap-
tured from the wind, whilst with higher wind speed than the rated, i.e.,
region 2, control removes excess of power extracted from the wind to
avoid overloading [26].
To achieve the aforementioned objectives, control scheme is divided
into two levels: high-level and low-level control, as shown in Fig. 1.
For simplicity of exposition and due to the necessity for grid in-
tegration of the adopted WTG system, PI controls are used in this paper;
nevertheless, other types of control can be readily adopted.
4.1. High-level control
High-level control is divided into two sub-controls, i.e., maximum
power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm and pitch control.
4.1.1. Maximum power point tracking
Maximum energy conversion in a WTG system is achieved at the
optimum rotational speed via an MPPT algorithm [27]. In this paper, a
perturb and observe algorithm is adopted due to its simplicity and good
performance, Fig. 4. A PI control is implemented in the proposed
model, which consists in setting the optimal mechanical speed. The
perturb and observe method relies on the following principle. If an
Fig. 3. LC filter bank and transformer arrangement.
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Electric Power Systems Research 163 (2018) 49–58
Fig. 4. MPPT algorithm.
operating point is on the positive slope region, within a power-speed
curve, the controller will move to the right towards the optimum speed.
This action is achieved by increasing the frequency of the SSC. Con-
versely, if the operating point lies on the negative slope region, fre-
quency of the SSC has to be decreased, as shown in Fig. 4.
4.1.2. Pitch control
Pitch control limits generated power to its rated power. Pitch ac-
tuator consists in a nonlinear servomotor that is modeled in closed-loop
as a first-order dynamic system with saturation in the pitch angle [26],
as illustrated in Fig. 5. Typically, β ranges from 0° to 30°, and varies at
maximum rate of 10°/s [26]. At wind speed lower than the rated, the
pitch angle remains at β = 0°.
In Fig. 5, ΔΩ is defined by:
ΔΩ = KΩ (1 − Pˆm), (11)
where corresponds to the mechanical power in pu.
4.2. Low-level control
Low-level control is separated into SSC and GSC controllers, which
set the control signals corresponding to the adopted PWM scheme. This
control scheme provides the magnitudes, phases, or frequencies, i.e.,
|Vssc|, |Vgsc|, fssc, and φgsc, corresponding to sinusoidal-type references
for the SSC and GSC, respectively. These parameters are achieved by
means of control actions that are described next.
4.2.1. Stator-side converter control
The objective of the SSC control is to regulate both mechanical
speed and reactive power by the generator. These actions are performed
by means of variation of frequency and magnitude corresponding to the
SSC control signal, respectively, Fig. 6.
4.2.2. Grid-side converter control
GSC control allows to maintain a constant DC voltage at DC-link and
to regulate reactive power entering to the grid to ensure grid com-
pliance. These two control actions are carried out by modifying mag-
nitude and phase angle corresponding to the GSC control signal, as il-
lustrated in Fig. 7.
Fig. 5. Pitch control.
U. Vargas et al.
Fig. 7. GSC. a) DC voltage control. b) Reactive power control.
5. Assembling the TD/FEHD model
The TD subsystem models, outlined in Section 3, are now assembled
to obtain a hybrid TD/FEHD WTG model. As observed in Fig. 1, elec-
trical measurements are taken only close to the transformer; thus,
capability of dividing the whole system into subsystems involving dif-
ferent harmonics, given by the FEHD [19], is exploited in this paper. As
result, the whole system is divided into two subsystems: i) state-space
representation in TD and ii) state-space representation in FEHD, as
depicted in Fig. 8.
5.1. TD subsystem
As no electrical measurements are available at the generator side of
the WTG, GSC is modeled as a simple controlled voltage source, i.e.,
neglecting harmonics. This assumption permits to use larger integration
time-steps leading to a faster simulation, at the cost of inability of
showing ripple information. For illustration purposes, Fig. 9 presents a
comparison between a voltage waveform provided by a controlled
voltage source and by a voltage source converter.
Therefore, the TD modeling expressions correspond to Eqs. (5)–(8).
The associated control schemes for the TD part are the MPPT algorithm,
pitch and SSC controls.
5.2. FEHD subsystem
Flexibility of the FEHD to adopt distinct harmonics for the involved
elements permits to select only dominant harmonics [19]. For example,
for the power electronic converter part, a threshold line can be defined
based on the switching function spectrum corresponding to the adopted
PWM control scheme, as illustrated in Fig. 10, where harmonics above
that threshold line are selected as dominant. It is verified in this paper,
via measurements and PSCAD simulation results, that this criterion
provides accurate results.
5.3. Interfacing TD and FEHD models
Interfacing TD and FEHD models is based on their corresponding
state-space representations. The numerical solution of one subsystem
involves a voltage/current history source as input for the other sub-
system and vice-versa. In this paper, voltage at capacitor terminals at
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Electric Power Systems Research 163 (2018) 49–58
Fig. 6. SSC. a) Speed control. b) Reactive power control.
Fig. 9. Controlled voltage source (CVS) and voltage source converter (VSC)
comparison.
DC-link, vDC, is used as input for the TD representation; on the other
hand, stator current, is, is used as input for the FEHD representation. It
is worth mentioning that TD and FEHD subsystems can handle different
integration time-steps as they model distinct (slow or fast) dynamics;
thus, FEHD is able to use a larger time-step [19].
It is mentioned that TD expressions corresponding to the right-hand-
side electrical elements of Fig. 8, i.e., Eqs. (9) and (10), are transformed
into the FEHD [19], resulting in an expression similar to Eq. (3). Also,
the associated control scheme for the FEHD part is the GSC control.
6. Experimental validation
Measurements from the real system (3.05 MW WTG) are used to
validate the proposed hybrid TD/FEHD WTG model, which is im-
plemented in Matlab using a computer i5-6200U CPU, 2.3 GHz, and
8GB RAM. A power quality analyzer is connected at the interface of the
filter and step-up transformer for recording main variables, e.g., cur-
rent, active power, among others, aimed at harmonic distortion ana-
lysis. Also, wind speed and mechanical speed are obtained via a su-
pervisory control and data acquisition remote software, as depicted in
Fig. 1.
The comparison between simulation and experimental results uses
the measured wind speed as input signal. Experimental results are taken
as reference for those given by i) proposed TD/FEHD model (labeled as
TD/FEHD) and ii) a detailed PSCAD model (labeled as PSCAD).
For illustration purposes, Fig. 11 shows a comparison between the
WTG power curve corresponding to the mathematical approximation,
given by Eq. (5), and the datasheet corresponding to the real system,
revealing a very good agreement.
Table 1 reports the adopted dominant harmonics involved in each
part of the FEHD subsystem, as shown in Fig. 8. The selected harmonics
are chosen based on the harmonic spectrum of the adopted PWM
control scheme. It is noted that the use of traditional EHD technique
results in an impractical implementation as, due to the maximum har-
monic considered, model dimensions explode.
Fig. 12 shows the comparison of the waveforms obtained by both
aforementioned simulation models and the experimental results. Minor
Fig. 8. WTG subsystems.
U. Vargas et al. Electric Power Systems Research 163 (2018) 49–58

Fig. 10. Switching function spectrum and selection of dominant harmonics.

differences can be observed in Fig. 12 that may be attributed to un- Table 1

known parameters related to the real WTG system, e.g., control para- Dominant harmonics.
meters, or wind speed variation over the area swept by the blades, Selected harmonics Harmonic index
among others. (fo = 50 Hz)
Fig. 12(a) includes the adopted measured wind speed provided by
the anemometer installed in the turbine. As shown in Fig. 12(b), gen- Voltage at DC link terminals DC DC
Current from the BTB to the DC, fo, finv − fo, finv + fo, DC, 1, 39, 41, 79, and
eratoŕs mechanical speed follows the trend of the wind speed. filter terminals 2finv − fo, 2finv + fo 81.
As shown in Fig. 12(c), MPPT algorithm and SSC controller manage Voltage at capacitor filter
to set the frequency reference for the SSC control signal that permits to terminals
obtain maximum power entering to the grid, Fig. 12(d). Additionally, Current from the filter to the
transformer
voltage at capacitor terminals at DC-link remains around a pre-specified
constant value due to the GSC controller, Fig. 12(e).
Fig. 12(f) presents the stator current entering to the BTB converter,
Additionally, TD subsystem provides an averaged behavior of transient
noting that the TD part is unable to reproduce high-frequency dynamics
waveforms as SSC is modeled as a controlled voltage source, i.e., ne-
as power electronic converters have been modeled as controlled voltage
glecting harmonics.
sources; on the contrary, the FEHD part, which has been modeled using
Table 2 reports the simulation data used for this case study, in-
voltage source converters, is able to show ripple information, as shown
cluding CPU-times by the aforementioned two methods. The 1 μs time-
in the current entering to the low-voltage-side transformer terminals,
step used in PSCAD/EMTDC is required to faithfully reproduce high-
Fig. 12(g).
frequency of back-to-back device. On the other hand, the proposed
In addition, Fig. 12(h) displays the rms current entering to low-
hybrid approach permits to use distinct integration time-steps and can
voltage-side transformer terminals. As expected, the harmonic content
potentially be implemented in parallel simulation. Table 2 and Fig. 12
in the current entering to the low-voltage-side transformer terminals is
show that the TD/FEHD approach provides computational savings,
given by the switching functions in the BTB, Fig. 12(i). These harmonic
more than six times faster than PSCAD, while keeping accuracy. As
dynamics, provided by the FEHD model, can be used to compute in-
expected, the PSCAD model requires a small time-step (1 μs) to achieve
stantaneous power quality indices, e.g., total harmonic distortion,
a better agreement, impacting directly the CPU-time. A further im-
Fig. 12(j).
provement is given by the proposed TD/FEHD model, which effectively
On the other hand, TD and PSCAD/EMTDC models require a post-
provides ripple information in a desired part of the whole system, re-
processing routine to obtain harmonic dynamics, where signals are first
sulting in reduced CPU-times compared to the PSCAD model.
sampled and then decomposed into harmonic components [20], in-
It is mentioned that, for this case study, pitch angle β remains at 0°
curring in well-known errors [28].
along the time since both wind speed and active power do not exceed
It is worth mentioning that modern electrical networks, e.g., dis-
the rated values, Fig. 12(a) and (d). To demonstrate the effectiveness of
tributed generation systems, exhibit high-frequency dynamics, inherent
the adopted pitch control to limit the generated power to its rated
of electronic devices; however, these high-frequency harmonics are
value, an artificial case study that includes a wind speed profile in-
rarely addressed in the specialized literature [1]. The proposed TD/
volving ramp and step variations, below and above rated wind speed, is
FEHD permits to include dominant harmonics focused on a desired part
simulated and the results are presented in Fig. 13.
of a system, aimed at harmonic transient analysis.
Fig. 13(a) shows the artificial wind speed profile. As shown in
Based on the harmonics in Table 1, Fig. 12 shows that the proposed
Fig. 13(b), generator’s speed follows the trend of the wind speed by
FEHD subsystem model effectively provides ripple information.

Fig. 11. WTG power curve.

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U. Vargas et al. Electric Power Systems Research 163 (2018) 49–58

Fig. 12. Simulation results.

Table 2 effectively generated power to its rated value when wind speed exceeds
Simulation data. its rated value, Fig. 13(d).
TD/FEHD PSCAD

Simulation time frame 436 7. Conclusions

Δt TD: 100 μs/FEHD: 500 μs 1 μs
CPU time 4413.2 s 29442.7 s Dynamic model validation of WTGs requires reliable models able to
reproduce harmonic dynamics accurately and able to closely reproduce
real components’ behavior.
means of the adopted MPPT algorithm.
This paper proposes an efficient and accurate hybrid TD/FEHD
Additionally, Fig. 13(c) presents the pitch angle, which limits
model of a WTG based on synchronous generator, which is successfully

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U. Vargas et al. Electric Power Systems Research 163 (2018) 49–58

Fig. 13. Simulation results. Artificial case study.

Table 3
System data.
Synchronous generator

Vs 690 V, 50 Hz Rms line-to-neutral voltage

Is 1.473 (kA) Rms line current
rs 0.001 (pu) Armature resistance
Xp 0.0521 (pu) Potier reactance
Xd 1.3125 (pu) Unsaturated reactance
Xd′ 0.1813 (pu) Unsaturated transient reactance
Td0′ 5.89 s Unsaturated transient time
Xd″ 0.08 (pu) Unsaturated sub-transient reactance
Td0″ 0.4 s Unsaturated sub-transient time
Xq 1.2587 (pu) Unsaturated reactance
Xq′ 0.25 (pu) Unsaturated transient reactance
Tq0′ 0.6 s Unsaturated transient time
Xq″ 0.08 (pu) Unsaturated sub-transient reactance
Tq0″ 0.4 s Unsaturated sub-transient time

BTB, filter and transformer

fsw 2 kHz Switching frequency

CDC 0.5 F DC-link capacitors
Rthyr 0.001 Ω Thyristor resistance
Rf 0.001 Ω Filter resistance
Lf 0.1 mH Filter inductance
Cf 330 μF Filter capacitance
Kt 400 V/30 kV Rated voltage ratio

Aerodynamic model

R 50.5 m Length of the blades

ρ 1.225 kg/m3 Air density
vw – Wind speed
γ – Gamma coefficient
λ – Tip speed ratio
Β, Cp – Pitch angle and power coefficient
Ωt – Mechanical speed of the turbine

Torsional shaft model

Btm 0 Nms/rad Mutual damping

Bt, Bm 0 Nms/rad Turbine and machine self-damping
Ktm 12,500 Nm/rad Shaft spring constant
Jt, Jm 500, 60 kgm2 Turbine and machine inertia

validated via measured data of a real system and further verified with results with those measured variables, e.g., machine speed, active
the PSCAD/EMTDC simulation software tool. The presented case study power, total harmonic distortion, among others.
is aimed at transient validation and harmonic transient analysis. Three major features of the proposed hybrid TD/FEHD model are:
Measured wind speed is utilized as input signal to compare simulation

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U. Vargas et al. Electric Power Systems Research 163 (2018) 49–58

Table 4
Control parameters.
Pitch control

KΩ 250 Constant
Kp 0.75 Proportional gain
Ki 2 Integral gain
τ 0.2 s Time constant
d/dt 10 Rate limiter

SSC controller

Kp 1 Proportional gain (freq. control)

Ki 40 Integral gain (freq. control)
Kp 0 Proportional gain (reactive power control)
Ki 100 Integral gain (reactive power control)

GSC controller

Kp 0.1 Proportional gain (DC voltage control)

Ki 10 Integral gain (DC voltage control)
Kp 0 Proportional gain (reactive power control)
Ki 20 Integral gain (reactive power control)
PF* 0.975 Power factor reference

MPPT algorithm

Kp 0 Proportional gain
Ki 1.33 Integral gain
d/dt 0.005 Rate limiter

i) It provides an accurate reduced-size EHD model, of a selected part
of the system, which reproduces dynamics of dominant harmonics
aimed at harmonic transient analysis; on the contrary, PSCAD or
TD–based simulations require a post-processing routine to obtain
harmonics frequencies, i.e., using a windowed fast Fourier trans-
form.
ii) It permits to include a subsystem exhibiting slow-dynamics, e.g., a
mechanical subsystem, via a TD state-space representation, for re-
ducing CPU-time simulations purposes.
iii) The proposed approach is attractive for parallel computing
implementation as the whole system is divided in subsystems in-
volving distinct integration time-steps.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported in part by CONACYT scholarship 300785,
by a grant of the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research
and Innovation, CCCDI—UEFISCDI, project number 37BMPNIII-P3-
199/02.09.2016, and by SENER-CONACYT under project 246949.

Appendix A

Data of the WTG system

Table 3 presents the system data corresponding to the WTG subsystems. In addition, Table 4 presents the control parameters for the WTG system.

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