Modelling and Performance Analysis of a Tidal Current Turbine Connected to the Grid Using an Inductance (LCL) Filter

Ladislas Mutunda Kangaji (), Lagouge Tartibu and Pitshou N. Bokoro
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Ladislas Mutunda Kangaji: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa
Lagouge Tartibu: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa
Pitshou N. Bokoro: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-23

Abstract: Nowadays, integrating renewable energy sources, such as tidal power, into the existing power grids of turbines is crucial for sustainable energy generation. However, tidal turbine energy transforms the potential energy of moving water into electrical energy. When both nonlinear load and dynamic load harmonics are present, the tide speed variance causes serious power quality issues such as low power factor, unstable voltage, harmonic distortions, frequency fluctuations, and voltage sags. The integration of an LCL-filter-based connection scheme can address these challenges by improving power quality and the overall performance of the tidal current turbine grid system. This study shifts LCL filter research from its conventional wind energy emphasis to the emerging field of tidal stream generation systems. The LCL filter analysed in this paper is modelled to exhibit adequate mechanical, electrical, and hydrodynamic characteristics. This model accounts for tidal current variations, turbine speed control, and power extraction dynamics. The LCL filter is evaluated for its effectiveness in reducing harmonic distortions, voltage fluctuations, and reactive power fluctuations. This system is composed of a 1.5 MW/C, a 1.2 MW three-level inverter with a nominal voltage of 600 V, and an inductance (LCL) filter. The results show that the inverter produces a harmonic distortion of less than 0.5%, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the filter in improving total harmonic distortion, reactive power consumption, and voltage control.

Keywords: renewable energy; tidal currents; permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG); nonlinear control; harmonic distortions; (PWM) inverters; LCL filter (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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