A Novel Model to study the VFT performance when

controlling power transfer between Weak and Strong AC

Grids using MATLAB/SIMULINK
Prof.Dr.Ahmed Hossam El Din
Department of Electrical Engineering
University of Alexandria
Alexandria, Egypt
hossamudn@hotmail.com

Dr.Mohamed Ashraf Abdullah

Department of electrical engineering
University of Alexandria
Alexandria, Egypt

Department of Electrical Engineering

University of Alexandria
Alexandria, Egypt

mohamed_abdulla@ieee.org

Abstract: This paper represents a new model of the

Variable Frequency Transformer (VFT) using
MATLAB/SIMULINK. The VFT is used to connect
two power systems. The simulations shown in the
paper accurately represents the VFTs dynamic
characteristics. Based on this model, some further
simulations are conducted to study VFTs
characteristics under fault conditions and its roles in
preventing the spread of faults into the other area. The
simulation results show that the VFT effectively
suppresses the power oscillations between the two
interconnected power systems and thus prevents the
faults from spreading.

I.

Eng. Mona Ibrahim

INTRODUCTION

The variable frequency transformer (VFT) is a

controllable, bi-directional transmission device that can
transfer power between asynchronous networks.
Functionally, the VFT is similar to a back-to-back
HVDC converter. The technology is based on a rotary
transformer (continuously variable phase-shifting
transformer) with three-phase windings on both rotor and
stator. A drive system adjusts the VFT rotor position in
order to control the phase shift between the two networks
through the action of a fast power controller. The VFT
controls power transfer up to 100 MW in both directions.
network with and without the VFT was discussed by D.
Nadeau [10]. A comparison between the performance of
a back-to-back HVDC system with series compensation
external to the converter transformers, and a variable
frequency transformer for power transfer power between
asynchronous AC systems and flow control feeding or
supplying a weak AC network was introduced by B.
Bagen, D. Jacobson, G. Lane, and H. M. Turanli in
reference [11]. The steady state and dynamic simulations
show that both technologies are able to control power
flow accurately. The variable frequency transformer
consumes less reactive power than a back-to-back
HVDC system, provides faster initial transient recovery.

eng_mona_ibrahim@ieee.org

II.

VFT MODELING

Figure (1) illustrates a conceptual system diagram of the

VFT.

Figure1-System diagram of the variable

frequency transformer
The VFT model is constructed using the
MATLAB/SIMULINK software to study the dynamic
performance of the VFT when connecting a weak AC
grid to a strong AC grid. We used the MATLAB
software package because other research papers used
PSCAD/EMTDC to build the model and hence we
decided to use a new software package which is equally
reliable and accurate. Figure 2 shows the proposed
model. In the proposed model, the VFT is modeled as a
doubly-fed induction machine, where the stator is
connected to system 1 and the rotor is connected to
system 2.
System 1:
Voltage= 220V (line-to-line RMS voltage)
Frequency= 60 Hz
System 2:
Voltage= 220V (line-to-line RMS voltage)
Frequency= 50 Hz
The variable frequency transformer is used to control the
power flow between the two systems by means of
changing the rotor position with respect to the stator

(angle ). To control the rotor position a DC motor is

used coupled with the rotor of the asynchronous
machine, thus controlling the rotor position according to
the ordered power. Figure (3) shows the controller of the
DC motor.
Upon starting the simulation the following sequence
takes place:

During starting the rotor will be open-circuit, and

the speed controller is applied on the dc motor
which is mechanically coupled with the doubly
fed IM to control the speed of the shaft to be
equal to the reference speed (the difference
between stator and rotor rotating fields)
After 5s from starting a check for the phase angle
differences across the circuit breaker is
performed, and when the difference is zero the
breaker is closed.
At t=10s the speed controller is replaced by
torque controller to control the shaft torque (+ve
value or ve value or zero) to control the power
flow (from stator to rotor or from rotor to stator
or zero power transfer) respectively.

Figure 3-The Controller

Subsystem

Below we will discuss the response of the VFT under the

following conditions:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Normal operating condition.

The change in the power order.
Applying a single line to ground fault.
Change in the frequency.

Figure 4-The actual and reference power

Figure5-The actual and reference

B. Change in power order: speed
We will study two cases of the change in the power order

Figure 2- VFT Proposed Model

The power is changed from 5000W to 10000W

at 25secs and the figures below show the
response of the VFT under the change in the
power order.

A. Normal operating condition:

Below are the output waveforms of the VFT model
during the normal operating condition where the power
order is 5000W and the reference speed is 300rpm

Figure 6-The actual and reference power upon

changing the power order

Figure7- Actual and reference speed upon

changing the power order

Figure 10 - Actual and Reference power upon

applying a single line to ground fault

The power is changed from 5000W to 0W at

t=40sec and then to -5000W at t=60sec.and the
figures (8) and (9) show the VFT response upon
changing the power order polarity.

Figure 11-The actual and reference speed upon

applying the single line to ground fault
D. The VFT Response to Frequency Disturbances:
We will investigate here the behavior of the VFT in case
of change in frequency in the AC grid to which the VFT
is connected.
Figure 8- The actual and reference power
When the frequency of any of the two sources changes
(overfrequency or underfrequency) this change is
automatically sensed and hence the reference speed is
changed. The VFT accurately tracks the new reference
speed and transfers power between the two sources.
For instance if the frequency of system 1 changes from
60Hz to 66Hz, hence the change in the frequency is
sensed and the reference speed is changed.
Reference speed =
Figure 9-The Actual And Reference Speed When
Changing The Power Order Polarity
C. Applying a single line to ground fault:

P= number of poles of the asynchronous machine

f1= frequency of system 1
f2= frequency of system 2

A single line to ground fault is to be applied to the

system at t=20s to t=22s. The waveforms showing the
VFT response are shown in figure 10. The simulations
show clearly that the VFT can significantly improve the
power system stability, restrain power oscillations, and
thus prevent faults from spreading into the neighboring
power systems.

hence,
New reference speed=

rpm

Below are the waveforms of the VFT under frequency

disturbance:

Figure16-The AC current at the rotor side of the VFT

Figure12-the reference and actual speed upon
applying the frequency disturbance

From the above waveforms we can conclude that the

VFT system has a very good performance under
frequency disturbances. That is although the VFT may
be connecting weak AC grids however power could still
flow from the sending to the receiving end.

III.

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

In the above model of the VFT we used a wound rotor

induction machine with its rotor ends left open to
simulate the VFT and test its operation under different
conditions for power flow control.
Figure13-The actual and reference power upon
frequency disturbance

Figure14-The AC current at the stator side of the VFT

Figure15-The AC current at the rotor side of the VFT

We then implemented a simple setup to test the

capability of the doubly fed induction machine to
transfer power between two asynchronous systems
without any control topologies for the sake of verifying
the idea of power transfer using DFIM.

[7] R. J. Piwko, and E. V. Larsen, "Variable Frequency

Transformer FACTS Technology for Asynchronous
Power Transfer," presented at 2005 IEEE PES T&D
Conference and Exposition, New Orleans, LA, USA.
[8] J. J. Marczewski, "VFT Applications between Grid
Control Areas," presented at 2007 IEEE Power
Engineering Society General Meeting, Tampa, FL, USA.
[9] P. HassinkP. E. MarkenR. O'Keefe, and G. R. Trevino,
"Improving Power System Dynamic Performance in
Laredo, TX," presented at 2008 IEEE PES T&D
Conference and Exposition, 21-24, April2008
IV.

CONCLUSIONS:

This paper presents a complete and comprehensive

model of the VFT system using MATLAB/SIMULINK.
The model shows the dynamic performance of the VFT
system under faults and frequency disturbances. It shows
the VFTs outstanding capability in improving power
stability, suppressing power oscillations and preventing
faults from spreading into the neighboring systems.

V.

REFERENCES:

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