Optimum resistive type fault current limiter: An efficient solution to achieve maximum fault ride-through capability of fixed-speed wind turbines during symmetrical and asymmetrical grid faults

This paper proposes an optimum resistive type fault current limiter (OR-FCL) as an efficient solution to achieve maximum fault ride-through (FRT) capability of fixed-speed wind turbines (FSWT) during various grid faults. In this paper, a dedicated control circuit is designed for the OR-FCL that enables it to insert an optimum value of resistance in the FSWT's fault current's path for improving transient behavior of the FSWT. The optimum resistance value depends on fault location and prefault active power. The control circuit of the proposed OR-FCL is capable of calculating the optimum resistance value for all the prefault conditions. By using the proposed control circuit, the FSWT can achieve its maximum FRT capability during symmetrical and asymmetrical faults, even at zero grid voltage. Analysis is provided in detail to highlight the process of calculating the optimum resistance of the OR-FCL. Moreover, the effect of the resistance value of the OR-FCL on the FRT behavior of FSWT is investigated. To show the efficiency of the proposed OR-FCL, its performance during various operation conditions of the FSWT is studied. It can be proved that each operation condition needs its own optimum resistance value, which can be obtained by using the proposed control circuit during the fault to achieve the maximum FRT capability of the FSWT. Comprehensive sets of simulations are carried out in PSCAD/EMTDC software and the results prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach.