Abstract
The employment of the induction generator is preferable in the natural energy utilization by the minimum maintenance and the mechanical robustness, Another merit is also expected when it is connected to the power network system, because constant-voltage and constant frequency (CVCF) power generation is easily realized in spite of the variation of the rotor speed. However the induction generator needs much amount of the reactive power that reduces power factor in the primary side. The improvement of power factor in the primary side requires large VAR compensator, this point is solved, the merit of the induction machine as a main generator will become more established. This paper proposes a novel approach where the secondary is controlled by a PWM inverter not only to get CVCF power but also to improve the primary power factor. Basically the inverter is controlled so that the field current is supplied from the secondary side in this approach. The required capacity of the inverter is small, because only the slip power is controlled in the secondary side. In the experimental system where the sea wave torque simulator is used, the power factor is well improved by the microcomputer controlled PWM inverter.
