Active damping of electromagnetic torque oscillations in synchronous generators using rotor excitation control

Abstract

This study proposes an active method for mitigating electromagnetic torque oscillations in salient-pole synchronous generators by injecting controlled sinusoidal components into the rotor excitation. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on damper windings or structural modifications, this strategy reduces oscillations without requiring additional mechanical components, utilizing only the generator’s excitation system. The methodology includes mathematical modeling, computational simulations, and spectral analysis of electromagnetic torque oscillations under different operating conditions. The results indicate that the proposed technique effectively reduces oscillations, achieving attenuation between 35% and 85%, depending on the applied configuration. Furthermore, its application extends to industrial synchronous motors, contributing to the reduction of mechanical resonances and enhancing the reliability of electrical systems. The proposed strategy does not require structural modifications, making it a cost-effective and viable alternative to improve the stability, performance, and efficiency of thermal, hydroelectric, and renewable energy generation systems, as well as their integration into smart grids subject to harmonic distortions.