Design of a Microcontroller Based Electronic Load Controller for a Self Excited Induction Generator Supplying Single-Phase Loads

The generation of electric power using self excited induction generation (SEIG) is a viable option in remote and rural areas where grid electricity is not available. The generated voltage and frequency of these machines, however, varies with varying loads. This characteristic can be resolved either by adjusting the values of the excitation capacitance or by controlling the prime mover speed. Further, in a single-point constant power application, where the machines deliver a fixed amount of power, the electronic load controller (ELC) can be used to switch-in or switch-out a dump load whenever the consumer load decreases or increases respectively. This paper presents a detailed analysis and the design of a microcontroller based SEIG -ELC system intended for stand-alone pico hydro power generation. The simulated performance of the controller is supplemented by experimental results.