WG A1.
34
REPORT
Testing voltage of doubly-fed
asynchronous generator-motor rotor
windings for pumped storage system
MEMBERS
O. NAGURA, Convenor (JP), H. FINK (AU), R. TREMBLAY (CA),
A. SCHWERY (CH), Y. MAN (CN), T. HILDINGER (BR), J. DOYLE (IE),
E. TORTELLO (IT), T. ASO (JP), W. AKAISHI (US)
Introduction
Recently, several adjustable speed pumped storage
schemes have been realised by using double-fed
asynchronous machines. However, a unique characteristic
of the variable speed pump-turbine is that it requires a
relatively small speed range compared to the general
motor drive system. This requirement leads to special
designs for rotor windings. The system mainly consists
of an asynchronous generator-motor with three-phase
distributed winding on its rotor surface and an AC Exciter
system connected to the three phase rotor winding as
power source supplying in-slip frequency required to
adjust the unit speed keeping connection to the 50 Hz
power system. The AC Exciter system consists of Injection
Enhanced Gate Transistor (IEGT) Inverters, Chopper
circuit, IEGT Converters and Excitation transformer.
Due to the unique 50Hz three phase design of the rotor
winding, existing synchronous machine and induction
machine standards cannot apply in its full extend to some
parts of doubly-fed asynchronous machines. This report
investigates actual project data from 5 (five) manufactures
with experience in the design, manufacture, installation
and commissioning of adjustable speed pumped storage
systems with outputs higher than 100MVA. This report can
be used as a guideline of determining the testing voltage of
doubly-fed asynchronous generator-motor rotor windings
for pumped storage systems.
Background
Electric Machine speed control technologies began
development at the end of the 1800’s. In the 1970’s, large
capacity power electronic technologies have been applied
in the field of hydropower generation, especially in the field
of pumped storage. At the same time, Japan started to
struggle with network frequency control problems during
night time. This happened due to a very large difference
between peak demand in day time and low demand at
night time. At night almost all thermal generators and
intermittent generation used for peak generation was
shutdown. In order to secure sufficient frequency control
36 No. 306 - October 2019 ELECTRA
capacity, adjustable speed pumped storage systems using
power electronics technologies were developed. While
this resulted in major development of a number of units in
Japan, a few units were also developed in other countries,
due to similar system frequency issues. With these
systems, a doubly-fed asynchronous machine, which is
excited by a static frequency converter, is applied. The first
pilot plant Narude was put into the operation in 1987 and
subsequently 15 or more units (over 4.5GW) have been
installed and operated.
In recent years, a lack of network frequency control
capacity is again experienced due to the significant amount
of renewable energy generation added to networks in
various countries. It is recognized that adjustable speed
pumped storage systems are one of the most cost effective
solutions to introduce network frequency control. Presently
several projects are underway globally.
The construction of doubly-fed asynchronous machines
is to some extend very similar to conventional wound
rotor type induction machines. However, the usage of
these doubly-fed asynchronous machines is similar to
synchronous machines with exciter connected rotor
windings. For wound rotor type induction machines, the
rotor winding test voltage (insulation withstand voltage test)
is standardized based on the induced voltage at a rotor
slip of 1.0. For synchronous machines, the rotor winding
testing voltage is standardized based on the exciter rated
voltage. However, the operating conditions of adjustable
speed pumped storage systems are quite different from the
conventional usage of wound rotor type induction machines
and synchronous machines. It is therefore difficult to apply
induction machine standards and synchronous machine
standards to doubly-fed induction machines.
In some cases, testing voltages are purely decided on
agreements between users and suppliers without reference
to any international standard. The rotor winding is one of
the most important components in doubly-fed induction
machines. The design concept is significantly different from
induction machine and synchronous machine designs. Due
 WG A1.34
REPORT

to these differences in technologies as well as the absence
of proper standards and guidelines, Study Committee
A1 WG34 proposed a guideline for rotor winding testing
voltage of double-fed asynchronous generator-motors
used for adjustable speed pumped storage systems.
This report covers only doubly-fed asynchronous machines
used for adjustable speed pumped storage systems
Clarification of specific terminology
Presently 15 or more doubly-fed asynchronous adjustable
speed pumped storage units are in operation and/
or in construction. Definitions of specific terms used in
discussions throughout this report are in some instances
different from the general understanding used for other
pump storage systems. This chapter clarifies some of the
general terms used in this guideline to ensure a common
understanding among users.
The system specification should therefore be defined as the
specification of the main circuit forward to the junction point
of the generator-motor circuit and the AC exciter circuit as
shown in Figure 2. The generator-motor specification itself
should be defined the same as a conventional synchronous
machine based on its operating conditions.
�It must be considered that the system specification
includes the losses of the AC exciter circuit. At the planning
stage when the location of the excitation circuit isn’t fixed, it
is difficult to identify the loss of the excitation circuit. In this
situation, the supplier shall be responsible for the losses of
the equipment only, but the user shall be responsible for
the loss of the excitation circuit.
Similarly, the user is responsible for defining the power
used by the house transformer.
The system specification shall define but not be limited to:

a) System specifications  Generation operation

A basic circuit of the adjustable speed pumped storage  Active power
system is shown in Figure 1. The circuit consists of a pump-  Power factor or Reactive power
turbine, generator-motor, AC exciter1 (static frequency  Voltage
converter), main circuit breaker, exciter transformer and  Frequency
main transformer. In this system, the active power and the
reactive power are delivered between the main transformer  Pumping operation
and the generator-motor through the main circuit and the  Active power
generator-motor armature circuit, active power and reactive  Power factor or Reactive power
power are also exchanged with the AC exciter circuit. Due  Voltage
to the magnitude of the exciter power requirements, active  Frequency
power delivered to the exciter circuit cannot be neglected,
b) Doubly-fed asynchronous machine
resulting in a different system specification for variable
speed generator-motors compared to a conventional The generator-motor which is used for the adjustable speed
generator-motor specification. From the viewpoint of a grid pumped storage system has a multi-phase (generally three-
operator, the system specification is very important. phase) distributed winding on the stator and the rotor. •••

Figure 1 - Construction of adjustable (variable) Figure 2 - System specification

speed pumped storage system

______________________________________
1- Generally three phase low frequency AC current is supplied by frequency converter to generator-motor rotor winding. In this report uses “AC
exciter” for the static frequency converter.

No. 306 - October 2019 ELECTRA 37

 WG A1.34
REPORT

The primary (stator) winding is connected to the power

source which delivers the active power to the generator
motor. The secondary (rotor) winding is connected to
another power source which supplies the excitation current.
From the viewpoint of the generator-motor mechanical
structure, this generator-motor is similar to an induction
machine. From the viewpoint of the electrical function, this
generator-motor is similar to a synchronous machine.

It must be noted that this generator-motor does not use

induced current, supplied from the active power supply,
to create magnetic air gap flux. It also does not use
synchronizing power. Theoretically, it is desirable to be
called a non-induction and non-synchronous machine.
There has been a similar system which uses a rotating
frequency converter instead of a static frequency converter
for more than 100 years. It was called a “Doubly-fed
asynchronous machine”. For this reason the naming
convention of “Doubly-fed asynchronous generator-motor”
is used.

c) Pumping operation characteristics

The pump characteristics and limitations of pumping Figure 3 - Pumping operation characteristics

operation are shown in Figure 3. The horizontal axis

shows the "Head" and the vertical axis shows the "Input".
Generally, "Net (Actual) pump head" is used for "Head"
and "Pump (Shaft) input" is used for "Input". Because the
simplex pump characteristic is normally shown by using
"Net pump head" and "Pump input". However, from the
viewpoint of the grid operator, "Head" shall hope to be
"Static head" and "Input" shall hope to be "System input".
This requirement is quite complex for the equipment
suppliers, especially the pump-turbine supplier, because
the "Net pump head" varies with the operating condition
and the "System input" includes the loss of the electrical
equipment. Actual definitions shall be decided by an
agreement of the user and the suppliers. In case that
the supplier of the pump-turbine is different from the
suppliers of the electrical equipment, special attention to
the guaranteed performance is required.
The pumping operation characteristics shall require but not
be limited to:
i. Low Head Limit
This limit is determined from the hydraulic design.
Generally, the static low head limit is provided by the user.
ii. High Head Limit
This limit is determined from the hydraulic design.
Generally, the static high head limit is provided by the user.
iii. Speed range, Low Speed Limit, High Speed Limit
These limits are guaranteed by the supplier.
Generally the pump supplier guarantees that the pump
discharge is larger than the guaranteed value at the
defined operation condition and the efficiency is higher
than the guaranteed value. This means that the pump
supplier guarantees that the pump input is smaller than
the guaranteed value. This guarantee method causes
confusion to the grid operator.
The supplier shall guarantee the input of each head. If
the input does not satisfy the guaranteed value within the
original speed range, the speed range shall be expanded
in order to satisfy the input.
The first priority of the specification is to satisfy the input
(active power) range and not the speed range.
iv. Cavitation Limits
These limits are guaranteed by the supplier. The guaranteed
condition shall depend on the agreement between the user
and the supplier.
v. Maximum Input
This limit is generally provided by the user. In many case
this limit is decided by the main transformer capacity.
vi. Stay ban band
This band shall be offered by the supplier. Generally, the
stay ban band is limited by the AC exciter characteristic.
The guaranteed condition shall depend on the agreement
between the user and the supplier.
d) Generation operation characteristics
The turbine characteristics and the limitations of the
generation operation are shown in Figure 4. The
horizontal axis shows the "Head" and the vertical axis
shows the "Output". Generally, "Net (Actual) head" is
used for "Head" and "Turbine (Shaft) output" is used for

38 No. 306 - October 2019 ELECTRA


"Output". There is similar to the pumping operation.
In generation operation, the variation of the speed only
has slight influence of turbine efficiency. This influence can
ignore in comparison with the influence of the guide vane
opening control. Therefore, in generation operation, there
is no limitation which depends on the speed.
The pumping operation characteristics shall require but not
be limited by:
i. Low Head Limit
This limit is determined from the hydraulic design.
Generally, the static low head limit is provided by the user.
ii. High Head Limit
This limit is determined from the hydraulic design.
Generally, the static high head limit is provided by the user.
iii. Flow Limit
This limit is determined from the hydraulic design.
Generally, the flow limit is provided by the user.
iv. Maximum Output
This limit is generally provided by the user. In many cases
this limit is decided by the main transformer capacity.
v. Cavitation Limits
These limits are guaranteed by the supplier. The guaranteed
condition shall depend on the agreement between the user
and the supplier.
vi. Stay ban band
Usually the optimum speed which provides the best
efficiency is lower than the synchronous speed. In some
turbine characteristics, the optimum speed might exceed
the synchronous speed. In this case, the stay ban band
shall be considered. This band shall be offered by the
Figure 4 - Generation operation characteristics
WG A1.34
REPORT
supplier. Generally, the stay ban band is limited by the
AC exciter characteristics. The guaranteed condition
shall depend on the agreement between the user and the
supplier.
e) Active power control method
In this system, the function of the AC exciter is very different
from a conventional synchronous machine. The frequency
converter as the AC exciter can control the amplitude and
the relative phase angle between the grid voltage and the
internal generated voltage. Therefore, the AC exciter can
control the reactive power and the active power of the
generator-motor.
In pumping operation, the pump-turbine and the governor
can’t vary the pump input. The AC exciter can vary
the electrical motor input, which is nearly equal to the
mechanical motor shaft output. If the electrical motor
input is higher than the pump load (head * flow), then the
rotational speed will increase. If the motor input is lower
than the pump load, then the rotational speed will decrease.
Finally, the rotational speed variation will stop at the point
which the motor input balances with the pump output.
In generation operation, the governor can control the
flow quantity. The flow quantity basically means turbine
output. As for the conventional synchronous generator,
the rotational speed is fixed to the synchronous speed.
Therefore, the generator output is almost the same as
turbine output. This means that the governor can control
the generator output. As for the adjustable speed system,
the governor can’t decide if turbine output is used for speed
variation or generator output variation. Generator output
and speed can be controlled by the AC exciter.
The response time of the AC exciter is shorter than that of
the governor. As a result, the active power varies quicker
with a power command and the rotational speed is adjusted
to the speed command. Of course, it is possible to control
the rotational speed through the AC exciter such as in a
variable speed motor drive system.
It is desirable for users to specify the control method in
consideration of operation.
Figure 5 shows a typical operation record of an “Adjustable
speed” pumped storage system in generation operation.
The specifications of this system are:
 System Output in Generation: 300 MW
 System Input in pumping: 340 MW
 Speed Range: 576-624 rev/min
(600 ± 24 rev/min)
As for this system, the regular change rate of the active
power is 5MW/s for generation and pumping.
At 66 seconds of the time axis, “Output Command” •••
No. 306 - October 2019 ELECTRA 39
 WG A1.34
REPORT
Figure 5 - Transient behaviour of "Adjustable Speed" pumped storage system
starts from 0 to 300MW with 5MW/s rate. “Output” responds
to “Output Command”. On 123 s, “Speed Command” varies
for optimum operation speed. However, the change of
“Speed” is delayed because the “Power Output Command”
has a priority.
Rotor winding test voltage
As for the stator winding of synchronous machines and
induction machines, testing voltage is defined based
on the rated stator voltage. Generally, the rated stator
voltage is decided by the user. As for the rotor winding of
a synchronous machine and an induction machine, the
rated voltage of the rotor winding is usually specified by the
supplier as it is common knowledge that the absolute value
of the rated rotor voltage does not have a fixed relationship
with the basic function of a synchronous machine and
induction machine. Therefore, the supplier can choose the
optimum rotor voltage from the viewpoint of the application,
also taking into account economic factors.
For the doubly-fed asynchronous machine, the rated AC
exciter voltage is usually defined by the supplier. This
is similar to the norm for synchronous machines and
induction machines, however, overvoltage reduction
control and overvoltage protection are required for doubly-
fed asynchronous machines. The presence of voltage
reduction control and overvoltage protection is very
important for LVRT (Low Voltage Ride Through) capability
of the adjustable (variable) speed pumped storage system.
The required insulation level of the rotor winding has a
direct relationship with voltage control and protection. It
is therefore important to carefully determine doubly-fed
induction machine rotor test voltages.
Rotor operational voltages
In consideration of the above, the following voltages are
applicable on doubly-fed asynchronous machine rotors
and should be taken into consideration when electing a
test voltage:
40 No. 306 - October 2019 ELECTRA
V1: Rated line to line output voltage of the AC exciter
in peak value
Usually, the AC exciter of the doubly-fed asynchronous
machine is referred to as a three-phase AC power source.
The rated voltage is therefore referred to as line to line
voltage root mean square value.
However, the fundamental harmonic of the output voltage
is quite low relative to the grid frequency. Here, peak value
of line to line voltage is used in an attempt to take other
voltages into consideration.
This voltage is regularly applied to the rotor winding.
V2: Maximum line to line output voltage of the AC
exciter in peak value
Sometimes the AC exciter is required to operate at higher
voltages than that of normal operation. For example,
in order to improve the LVRT capability, higher output
voltage of the AC exciter is required. This is similar to the
ceiling voltage of the conventional synchronous machine.
In another case, to use an AC exciter as a starter of the
pumping operation, higher output voltage is required.
This voltage is not regular, but frequently applied to the
rotor winding.
V3: Rated line to line output voltage of the exciter
transformer in peak value
The basis of the AC exciter output voltage is the rated
output voltage of the exciter transformer. In case of an
AC-AC converter such as a cycloconverter, the output
voltage of the cycloconverter includes the background
voltage of the exciter transformer. In case of an AC-DC-
AC converter-inverter, the output voltage of the inverter
includes the maximum voltage of the DC link condenser.
This DC voltage is the rectified AC voltage of the exciter
transformer.
In some cases two or more isolated exciter transformer
output voltages are added in the AC exciter bridge circuit.

In these cases, the added AC voltage shall be considered.
V4: Maximum line to line step-up transformer output
voltage in peak value.
In some cases rotor a step-up transformer is used in order
to increase the frequency converter output voltage. In
these cases the stepped-up voltage shall be considered.
V5: Maximum line to line voltage in peak value when
the over voltage reduction control is acted on
The doubly-fed asynchronous machine is not equipped
with an amortisseur winding (damper circuit). Therefore
negative sequence current on the stator winding causes a
higher magnetomotive force on the rotor winding. Normally
this magnetomotive force causes a high voltage on the
exciter circuit including the rotor winding for which over
voltage reduction control is required.
This voltage is not regular, but the insulation of the rotor
winding should withstand it.
V6: Lowest line to line voltage in peak value of over
voltage protection
If the magnetomotive force is not compensated for with
over voltage reduction control, then the system shall be
stopped to prevent damage to equipment. For this reason
overvoltage protection is provided.
Usually the rotor winding and the AC exciter are protected
by short-circuiting of the over voltage phase. There are
typically two types of overvoltage protection. One such
protection scheme consists of a combination of a passive
element such as an arrestor and an active element such
as a thyristor. The other scheme consists only of an active
element.
This voltage is not regular, but the insulation of the rotor
winding should withstand it.
V7: Induced line to line rotor voltage at slip 1.0 as
induction machine in peak value
Generally these machines are used near synchronous
speed. The turn ratio, which is the ratio of the effective
number of turns of stator winding to the effective number of
turns of rotor winding, is smaller than normal wound type
induction machines. It means that the induced rotor voltage
at slip 1.0 is higher than rated stator voltage.
It is desirable for the rotor winding insulation to withstand
this voltage. However, it is economically impossible even if
it was physically possible to do it.
Determining rotor test voltage
The rotor winding insulation system design must consider
the above voltages. Magnitude correlation of the above
voltage is shown below.
V1 < V2 < V3 < V4 < V5 < V6 << V7
WG A1.34
REPORT
The voltage level of V1, V2, V3 and V4 are applied to
the insulation in normal operation. Therefore the basic
insulation level shall satisfy these levels.
The voltage levels of V5 and V6 are not regular, although
the insulation of the rotor winding shall be able to withstand
it.
V5 and V6 shall be decided from the viewpoint of the LVRT
(Low Voltage Ride Through) requirement. Therefore the
following procedure is suggested:
 The first stage, the user shall clarify the requirement of
LVRT capacity.
 At the second stage, the supplier shall propose the
voltage level of V5 and V6.
The voltage level of V7 shall be excluded for these
considerations.
From the viewpoint of the basic insulation level, the test
voltage of the rotor winding UT (the grid frequency voltage
in rms) shall be:
UT1 = (2 * Max(V1, V2, V3, V4) * ) + 1000 V
Here: means a conversion factor from peak value to
root mean square value
From the viewpoint of the overvoltage protection UT shall
be;
UT2 = V6 *
Here: means a conversion factor from peak value to
root mean square value.
The rotor testing voltage UT shall be satisfying the above
conditions:
UT > Max(UT1, UT2)
The fundamental harmonic of the rotor winding is quite low.
However, it is difficult to provide a low frequency voltage
source. Therefore the voltage withstand test may accept
the use of a grid frequency voltage source. Also a DC-
test set with DC-Voltage = 1.7 x AC-Voltage is a suitable
source to be used.
The rotor winding is generally assembled at site. It is
desirable to conduct the voltage withstand test of the rotor
after assembly of the rotor. If conductive materials are used
for the rotor end winding support, it should be grounded
when the voltage withstand test is conducted.
References
[1] Contribution of Kyogoku Power Station, the adjustable speed
pumped storage, in the actual grid operation; T. Ishizuki* R.
Hasegawa Y. Shiozaki K. Iwabuchi, Cigre Paris Session 2018.
[2] Adjustable speed pumped storage system contributing in
stabilization of power system; T.Ishizuki, O.Osada, R.Hasegawa,
Y.Shiozaki K.Horio, M.Saito; Cigre Paris Session 2016 
No. 306 - October 2019 ELECTRA 41