Analysis and implementation of an electronic load controller for a self-excited induction generator

The modelling of an electronic load controller (ELC) for a self-excited induction generator (SEIG), used for power balancing at varying consumer load as required for stand alone micro-hydel generators driven by uncontrolled turbines, is presented. The implemented ELC consists of a rectifier-chopper system feeding a resistive dump load whose power consumption is varied through the duty cycle of the chopper. While the dynamic modelling of the SEIG is carried out using d-q variables in a stationary reference frame including magnetic saturation, the ELC is modelled through circuit concepts incorporating a switching function. Both the modelling and control technique of the ELC-SEIG are validated through simulated and experimental results.