Phase Control Thyristor Based Soft-starter for a Grid Connected Induction Generator for Wind Turbine System

This paper presents a power thyristors based soft starter strategy for an induction-generator based wind turbine system. Soft-starter is designed to reduce inrush current or surge in current while achieving a proper synchronism between the generator and the grid. The designed soft-starter successfully limits the high inrush current during the connection of the wind-turbine system to the grid. An experimental investigation is done to find out suitable values of the power thyristor for soft-connection of a wind turbine system with the grid. Tests are carried out on a three phase induction generator, based system controller and relays for the system connection/disconnection from the grid. This paper describes the soft-starting principle, the designed soft-starter, application of the soft-starter in wind power generation, and experimental test results.