THE ELECTRICITY TO THE VANGUARDIST OF
TECHONLOGY:
INDUCTION GENERATORS
Electric and electronic ingeneri. Politecnic national college
Quito, Ecuador
geovannymasmetal@hotmail.com
Abstract: Induction generators are
asynchronous machines that when accelerated
exceed their rated speed. One of the
advantages of asynchronous machines is their
low maintenance cost, that is the reason why
they are usually one of the most used in the
industrial field, especially as engines. In order
for the induction machine to behave as a
generator, a primary motor is coupled to the
rotor shaft of the induction machine, when the
synchronizing speed is exceeded, electricity
will be generated. This generator is used in the
wind industry because, the wind speed is
variable and inaccurate. It is also used in small
hydropower plants that does not have a
constant flow rate. In the case of working as
wind or hydraulic generators (isolated
generators), a battery of capacitors must be
coupled, so that they supply reactive power, to
this process is called self-excitation, since
when not connected to the grid, the generator
by Yes it can not supply reactive power alone.
I. INTRODUCTION
Induction generators have been used since the
beginning of the 20th century, but because of the
introduction of synchronous generators they
were partially forgotten especially in the 1960s
and 1970s. However, induction generators
returned because of the 1973 oil crisis Because of
the high energy costs, the recovery of the same
for the economy of almost all industrial processes
has been a priority since then. The induction
generator is ideal for this type of applications,
since few control systems and low maintenance
are required.
Despite their common use as motors, induction
machines are reversible and capable of operating
as generators, both connected to an electric grid
and in isolation.
Due to its simplicity and small size per kilowatt
of output power, induction generators are
strongly favored for use in small windmills.
Many commercial windmills are designed to
operate in parallel with large power systems,
supplying a fraction of the power requirements
demanded by the customer.
To provide power to the grid, wind turbines must
be equipped with a synchronization system so
that the frequency of the generated current is kept
perfectly synchronized with the frequency of the
grid.
Already in the first half of the twentieth century,
the generation of electric power with wind rotors
was quite popular in isolated houses located in
rural areas.
For an induction machine to operate as a
generator, it is sufficient to rotate the rotor with
the aid of a primary motor which rotates at a
higher speed than the synchronous one.
II. CONTENTS
When an induction machine exceeds its
synchronizing speed, it begins to act as a
generator. Speeds are obtained above the speed
of synchronism, by which, one obtains negative
slides. When this happens, the direction of
rotation of the flow relative to the secondary
winding of the machine is inverted, relative to the
engine speed, which leads to a change in the
electromotive force (emf) of the rotor, which in
turn leads to An inversion of the current and an
inversion in the torque. Consequently, the torque
developed by the asynchronous machine is
converted into a braking torque with respect to
the moment of rotation of the primary motor. The
asynchronous machine functions as a generator,
receiving mechanical energy from an external
motor that rotates at a higher speed than the
synchronism, and delivering electrical energy to
the network by the stator.
Figura 1. Curvas torque-velocidad de una mquina
sincrnica. Zonas de funcionamiento
Taking into account the following equations in a
generator, the negative slip is:
1 2
: = 1 2 ( 1)2
2 If the approximate equivalent circuit of the
asynchronous machine is taken into account
: =
1 (since the negative slip is), the impedance of the
secondary branch will have the negative real part,
: = 1
2 due to the load resistance R'c whose value is
60
A) The internal mechanical power becomes
negative. The machine absorbs mechanical
power by the shaft which is supplied by the
primary motor which moves it at a higher speed
than the synchronism.
B) The power in the air gap is negative, so the
electromagnetic torque changes sign with respect
to the behavior as motor.
C) If the power in the air gap is negative, the
energy transfer is made from rotor to stator. The
machine delivers power to the grid via the stator.
In Figure 2 the previous conclusions are
graphically observed, pointing with arrows the
meanings of real transfer of energy. The machine
converts mechanical energy into electric.
Figura 2. Reparto de potencias en el funcionamiento como
generador
An asynchronous generator can be enabled by
connecting a normal squirrel-cage motor to a
three-phase network and coupling it, for
example, to a primary motor, which can be
internal combustion (gasoline / diesel) or by
coupling to a hydraulic or wind turbine Initially
the asynchronous machine is started as a motor
dragging in its rotation to the primary motor,
arriving at a speed of regime close to the one of
synchronism. The primary motor is then started,
which must rotate in the direction previously set
by the asynchronous motor. As soon as the
primary motor exceeds the synchronizing speed,
the asynchronous machine will work as a
generator, yielding active power to the electrical
system to which it is connected.
much higher than the sum Of R1 + R2. As a
consequence, the reduced secondary current I'2
absorbed will be delayed by more than 90 with
respect to the applied voltage, resulting in a total
absorbed current of the network I1m whose
phase m is greater than 90 . This is why the
power absorbed from the network: m1 U1 I1m
must take into account the generator agreement,
it is observed that the active power produced or
supplied to the network is:
1 = 1 1 1 cos |1 | = |1 |
The current I1g is advanced to the mains voltage,
which indicates that the asynchronous machine
supplies to the network a capacitive reactive
power, or otherwise, that the asynchronous
machine when it functions as a generator needs
to receive from the network to which it is
Connects, an inductive reactive power.
Physically this reactive power that needs to
receive the asynchronous generator is required to
maintain the magnetic field of its stator, since this
machine does not have an independent circuit of
excitation, as is the case of the alternators or
synchronous generators. This is the main
limitation of the asynchronous generator, since in
needing a network that supplies the reactive
power, it can not function (in principle) as an
isolated generator, as with alternators.
The only advantage of the asynchronous
generator is its simplicity, since it does not need
a separate circuit for its excitation and does not
have to rotate continuously at a fixed speed.
Whenever its speed is slightly higher than the
synchronism, it will function as a generator with
respect to the power system to which it is
connected. To the extent that the torque applied
to its axis increases, the greater the resulting
output electrical power. Generally nominal or
assigned power is achieved with little slip,
usually less than 3%.
The fact that there is no need for voltage
regulation, because this is imposed by the
external grid, makes this generator a good
alternative in wind power plants, where wind
speeds are very different and also in mini hydro
plants of variable flow , In which are preferred to
the classic alternators, because due to the wide
range the operating speeds of the asynchronous
generator (along with a suitable electronics) is
better adapted to any speed of march, being able
to work at any moment in the point of maximum
yield Of the hydraulic turbine.
Induction generator isolated
It is also possible to make an asynchronous
machine work as an isolated generator,
independent of an external network, as long as
there are capacitors available to supply the
reactive power it needs (or otherwise, capacitors
that absorb the reactive energy produced by the
generator). To do this, a battery of capacitors is
connected to the terminals of the motor, which
are also connected to the external electrical load.
It is then said that the generator operates under a
self-excitation regime.
The magnetizing current Im which requires an
induction machine as a function of the voltage at
the terminals can be found if the machine is
operated as a vacuum motor and the armature
current is measured as a function of the voltage
at the terminals. To achieve a certain level of
voltage in an induction generator, the external
capacitors must supply the magnetizing current
corresponding to that level.
Puesto que la corriente reactiva que
puede producir un capacitor es
directamente proporcional al voltaje
que se le aplica, el lugar geomtrico de
todas las combinaciones posibles de
voltaje y corriente a travs de un
capacitor es una lnea recta. (Mora,
2015)
The generated frequency is somewhat lower than
that corresponding to the rotational speed, the
terminal voltage increases with the capacity,
which is limited by the saturation of the iron
magnetic circuit. If the capacity is insufficient, no
voltage will appear on the generator. There, the
choice of the necessary capacity is a difficult
problem, and even more so, considering that the
capacitors must also supply the reactive power
required by the loads connected to the machine.
Process of self-excitation of the generator
It is necessary for the movement of a primary
motor, for example a hydraulic turbine, to move
the rotor of an asynchronous machine, to which
a battery of capacitors has been connected in the
stator to achieve the self-excitation of the
generator.
To explain this process of self-excitation assume
that initially the asynchronous generator moves
in a vacuum, without having the capacitors and
load connected. When starting the primary motor
and assuming that the rotational speed at which
the asynchronous generator moves is that of
synchronism, (due to the remaining magnetism
of the rotor), a f.e.m. will be induced in the stator.
Remanent Er, which is in the order of 2 to 3% of
the rated voltage of the machine.
Figura 3. Generador asincrnico autoexcitado por una
batera de condensadores y con una carga trifsica
If the capacitor bank is then connected, and if
they are of sufficient capacity, there will be self-
excitation of the generator. To explain this
phenomenon we are going to consider the ideal
machine, in which both losses in iron and
mechanical losses are neglected. The impedance
of the rotor will be infinite because the machine
has been rotated at the speed of synchronism.
The variation of the f.e.m. E1 of the generator
(curve ErM) with the magnetizing current Iu (at
the constant velocity n1) and also the load line
representing the voltage at the terminals of the
capacitor has been drawn as a function of the
current Ic circulating through it, and In vacuum
coincides with the magnetizing current Iu (OR
line).
The intersection of the electromotive force curve
f.e.m. With the load line gives rise to work point
A (the self-excitation process follows the path
from the lower initial point Er to the end A,
following the broken line shown in Figure 4. and
that oscillates between the capacitive line OR and
the magnetization curve ErM), and the end point
A, the voltage generated must be the closest to its
nominal value. At this point, the equation (a),
which indicates, in a simplified way, is verified
that, for the equilibrium point at vacuum, the
reactance of the connected capacitor must
coincide with the magnetizing reactance that the
machine offers at this point.
Figura 4. Curva de f.e.m. del generador y recta de carga de
los capacitores de autoexcitacin.
Si se conecta un conjunto trifsico de
capacitores a travs de los terminales
de un generador de induccin, el voltaje
en vaco de ste ser la interseccin de
la curva de magnetizacin del
generador y la lnea de carga de
generador. (Chapman, 2005)
In short, what happens is that the vacuum curve
or the f.e.m. Of the generator is non-linear, or
otherwise, that the magnetizing reactance of the
machine is not constant and is a non-linear
function of the excitation current.
To construct this curve in the laboratory, it is
necessary to rotate the machine at the speed of
synchronism and increase the variable voltage of
the asynchronous machine (and the nominal
frequency). In the case of carrying out this
experiment outside a laboratory environment
(field work) and in which a variable voltage
source is not available, the remaining generator
voltage can be measured first by rotating the
primary motor at the speed of the Synchronism
(without connecting the capacitors in the
asynchronous machine), which gives rise to the
lower initial point Er of the electromotive force
curve (emf) ErM of Figure 4. Next, several
capacitors must be connected to the generator, ie,
The reactance of the capacitors is varied, so that,
for each value of the capacity, the voltage at the
terminals of the machine and the current supplied
by it must be noted; With four or five different
values taken in practice the f.e.m. curve can be
determined.
How does the voltage build up in an induction
generator when it is turned on?
When an induction generator is turned on, the
residual magnetism in its field circuit produces a
small voltage. This small voltage produces a
capacitive current flow, which increases the
voltage, which further increases the capacitive
current, and so on successively until the voltage
accumulates completely.
Important Note: If the generator does not feed
(with proper capacitors being installed), it is an
indication that the machine has lost its remaining
magnetism. In this situation, the most practical is
to start the asynchronous machine as a motor
(there must be a nearby power grid) and let it run
for a short period of time, disconnect the machine
from the mains and reconnect the self-excitation
by operating the primary motor.
Figura 5. Corriente del banco de capacitores (amperios en
adelanto)
On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4 for the
point of work A, the angle of the line of charge is
, whose tangent is, in short, the value of the
reactance of the connected capacitor. If the
corresponding reactance is greater than this value
(ie, for a reactive power for a smaller reactive
power of the capacitors), the working point will
move to the left of A, resulting in an under
vacuum Nominal, whereas, if the reactance is
smaller (greater reactive power of the
capacitors), the rest point will move to the right
of A, that is, it will move towards the elbow of
the curve of emf Causing very high operating
voltages which could damage the stator
insulation of the machine.
In accordance with the above, it is evident that
there is a maximum reactance value of the self-
excitation capacitors (in short, a minimum value
of the reactive power of the capacitors) so that
there is a cut-off point between the f.e.m. And the
charge line which is defined by the angle max
indicated in Figure 4. In this case, the capacitive
charge line is tangent to the curve of f.e.m. And
there is no cut-off point between the vacuum
curve and the capacitive line.
Assume now that the primary motor is moving at
constant speed and that initially the generator is
running at vacuum at point A, for which the
frequency generated in its stator fs1 and if C1 is
called the capacitance per phase of the capacitor
bank Of capacitors of self-excitation, the
corresponding reactance is:
1
1 = the load, capacitors of compensation of adequate
2 1 1
Thus the line of the capacitor in the line OR in
the figure in whose intersection with the curve of
magnetization ErM gives rise to point of work A.
If, then, the asynchronous generator feeds a
resistive load, it will increase the resistant torque
applied to it, which will result in a reduction of
the group speed and, consequently, a decrease of
the generated frequency that would become f_s2
<f_s1 and New operating point will change from
A to B. This is because the frequency reduction
reduces the emf Induced in the same proportion,
which gives rise to a new curve of magnetization
ErN; But the reduction of the frequency
generated in the stator also changes in the slope
of the capacitive line, which at this moment
happens to be line OS in the figure and hence the
work point B.
The value of f.e.m. could be raised. Induced and
return the slope of the capacitive line to its
previous value by increasing the value of the
capacity of the capacitor battery f_s1 / f_s2, but
since the frequency generated in the stator
remains fs2, the operating point would become
The C, but would never return to the starting
point A.
All of the above indicates that the voltage
generated is very sensitive to changes in the load
and these effects are greater if in addition the
speed of the primary motor varies with the load.
If it is further assumed that the generator feeds an
inductive load, then the reactive power of the
capacitors must be raised to compensate for the
reactive power consumption of the load. In short,
it is not easy to get the generator to work at a
stable output voltage point and this is the main
drawback of the asynchronous or induction
generator, since the capacitors must supply, on
the one hand, the reactive power necessary for
the creation Of the magnetic field in the
machine's air gap (self-excitation) and, on the
other hand, must compensate the reactive power
of the inductive loads that are connected to the
generator terminals. To solve this problem of
instability of the voltage produced by the
asynchronous generator working on load and in
isolated regime, several methods have been
devised; In the simplest case, a battery of
capacitors connected to the stator terminals of the
machine is used to achieve self-excitation of the
generator and are then connected in series with
capacity, and which offer a drop of Capacitive
voltage, which depends on the value of the
current consumed and thus compensates for the
action of the load, achieving voltage variations at
the terminals, which may be of the order of
10% of the nominal voltage.
In other cases, two batteries of capacitors are
coupled, one fixed (self-excitation) and the other
variable, also connected in parallel to
compensate for the reactive power of the load
and which is divided into suitable sections that
enter or leave the circuit by the actuation Of a
voltage relay.
Este sistema se puede mejorar utilizando
equipos STATCOM, que contienen en su
interior dispositivos tipo IGBT de
electrnica de potencia y que permite
modificar suavemente la potencia reactiva
de los capacitores, lo que representa el
 mtodo ms refinado que puede utilizar para
el funcionamiento de un generador
asincrnica trabajando en rgimen
aislado. (Mora, 2015, pg. 442)

III. CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, it should be emphasized that

induction generators are a good alternative over
others, since this way a cleaner type of energy
can be obtained based on natural sources that do
not pollute.

Also, the reactive power of the induction

generators is supplied by a bank of capacitors
which are coupled thereto, so that the generator
without capacitors would prove to be unusable,
and their charge would be impossible to couple.

This generator is used in wind and hydraulic

sources of low flow or variable flow because
only the nominal speed of the machine needs to
be exceeded, after a power electronics control, it
can be adapted to the grid to feed a load.

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS

It is necessary for the induction machine to

operate for a moment as a motor to recover its
remaining magnetism, thus entering the phase of
self-excitation to generate voltage.

The fact that these are machines of low

maintenance and low cost, does not mean that
they do not require of care of periodic way
(especially in the bearings), since that way it
extends the period of useful life of the same one.

It is recommended to use these generators on a

priority basis over others, as they are driven by
clean and renewable energy sources, it helps the
conservation of the earth and a more profitable
and efficient generation of electricity that is so
much needed today.

V. REFERENCES

(1004). Manuel Burgos Payn, ngel Gaspar

Gonzales Rodrguez, Manuel Antonio Vallejo
Saura. GENERADORES DE INDUCCION EN
LAS PRACTICAS DE LABORATORIO. Revista
Enseanza Universitaria. Universidad de Sevilla.
http://institucional.us.es/revistas/universitaria/7_
8/art_5.pdf
(2013). Union Of Concerned Scientists.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF WIND
POWER. http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-
energy/renewable-energy/environmental-
impacts-wind-power#bf-toc-0
(2015). Jess Fraile Mora. MAQUINAS
ELECTRICAS 7ma edicin. Ediciones Garceta.
Madrid
(2004). Stephen J, Chapman. MAQUINAS
ELECTRICAS 4ta edicin. Editorial McGraw-
Hill Companies. Edicin en espaol por
Litografa Ingramex. Mxico
(2003) Asociacin danesa de la industria elica.
GENERADORES ASNCRONOS (O DE
INDUCCIN).
http://www.motiva.fi/myllarin_tuulivoima/wind
power%20web/es/tour/wtrb/async.htm
(2010). Pablo Turmero. GENERADOR
ASINCRONICO. Monografias.com
http://www.monografias.com/trabajos104/gener
ador-asincronico/generador-asincronico.shtml