Renewable Energy Sources as Part of the Auxiliary Network of Small and Micro Hydropower Plants

Abstract

The paper deals with the problem of using renewable energy sources as part of micro-hydro power plant auxiliaries. Mathematical models are presented that describe the connection of a wind turbine with a frequency converter for joint operation with auxiliary consumers, for which it is intended to perform the voltage regulation in the network. The mathematical model is performed in the MATLAB Simulink software package. A law was formulated, and an algorithm was developed for the operation of the wind turbine with a load as part of the power plant auxiliaries. This algorithm assumes the continuous wind turbine operation without disconnection and automatic transfer switching that result in an increase of the capacity factor. Short circuit conditions at the load side and the influence of the wind turbine on the magnitude of the short circuit current contribution are considered. The influence of the wind turbine on voltage regulation is presented on the voltage oscillograms in normal conditions and during a short circuit.