Experimental and simulation testing of an EGLC controller for an IAG-EGLC system for electrifying off-grid rural sites

Abstract

Abstract The voltage support at consumer terminals is required in remote areas. This voltage support should be provided economically. In the manuscript, the study carried out emphasis on the designing methodology and hardware implementation of an electronic generator load controller (EGLC) for an isolated asynchronous generator (IAG) feeding single-phase loads. The EGLC is build using the uncontrolled rectifier bridge, an IGBT based chopper switch with series connected dump load. The driving signals for the IGBT based chopper switch is generated using Pule Width Modulation PWM IC. The generator is providing power to the two loads connected in shunt across each other. The objective of the controller is to maintain constant load on the generator during the entire operation of the generator. The expected simulated outcomes are verified using a hardware model of the EGLC prototype developed for an IAG in the laboratory. The closeness of both the simulated and experimental results justified its application for the electrification of various off grid remote sites available in hilly areas. Article Highlights An EGLC Controller is designed, fabricated and tested in the laboratory for an IAG for voltage and frequency support. The proposed controller maintains constant load on the generator irrespective of nature of varying load. The prototype developed for an IAG-EGLC proves to be cost effective and can be proposed for electrification of off grid sites.

Keywords

• Design of ELC
• Isolated asynchronous generator (IAG)
• PWM
• Controller
• Electrification of rural sites
• Renewable energy technologies