A power converter arrangement is described. The power converter includes a dc link and a power converter. The dc link is operably connected between a generator, or other power source, that provides an output voltage in use and a dc network. The power converter includes an inverter connected across the dc link in parallel with the generator, an isolation transformer having a primary tap changer and a secondary tap changer, and a rectifier. The rectifier has ac terminals connected to the secondary tap changer, a first dc terminal connected to the dc link, and a second dc terminal connected to the dc network. The dc terminal voltage of the rectifier is therefore summated with the output voltage of the generator to provide a converter output voltage.

A high-efficiency digital voltage controller capable of providing monotonically-varying stepwise voltage, said controller comprises of a plurality of two-terminal voltage modules connected in series; within each module one or more two-terminal voltage cells of identical voltage each and connected in series; within each module a plurality of switches controllable to connect any number of the voltage cells in series to the output terminals of the voltage module; the ratios of the magnitudes of voltage of any one voltage cell between the voltage modules being substantially equal to integer values uniquely defined by present invention, according to the numbers of voltage cells in each of the voltage modules; said plurality of switches being controlled by a control module implemented in any suitable logic.

A high-efficiency digital voltage controller capable of providing monotonically-varying stepwise voltage, said controller comprises of a plurality of two-terminal voltage modules connected in series; within each module one or more two-terminal voltage cells of identical voltage each and connected in series; within each module a plurality of switches controllable to connect any number of the voltage cells in series to the output terminals of the voltage module; the ratios of the magnitudes of voltage of any one voltage cell between the voltage modules being substantially equal to integer values uniquely defined by present invention, according to the numbers of voltage cells in each of the voltage modules; said plurality of switches being controlled by a control module implemented in any suitable logic.

A power system can include a first tap changer for a first regulated transformer, where the first tap changer has a plurality of first positions. The power system can also include a second tap changer for a second regulated transformer, where the second tap changer has a plurality of second positions. The power system can further include at least one first instrument transformer coupled to the first regulated transformer. The power system can also include at least one second instrument transformer coupled to the second regulated transformer. The power system can further include a controller coupled to the at least one first instrument transformer and the at least one second instrument transformer, where the controller adjusts the first tap changer to a first adjusted position among the first positions based on the first measurements of the first regulated transformer and the second measurements of the second regulated transformer.

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for optimizing operation of a wind turbine. The method includes providing a voltage regulator between a power grid and the wind turbine. The voltage regulator is configured to control at least one voltage condition of the wind turbine. Another step includes monitoring, via one or more sensors, at least one operating condition and at least one voltage condition of the wind turbine. The method also includes comparing, via a controller, at least one of the operating condition or the voltage condition with a predetermined threshold to determine a margin-to-threshold ratio. Thus, a further step includes controlling the voltage regulator based on the comparison so as to maximize the margin-to-threshold ratio.

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for optimizing operation of a wind turbine. The method includes providing a voltage regulator between a power grid and the wind turbine. The voltage regulator is configured to control at least one voltage condition of the wind turbine. Another step includes monitoring, via one or more sensors, at least one operating condition and at least one voltage condition of the wind turbine. The method also includes comparing, via a controller, at least one of the operating condition or the voltage condition with a predetermined threshold to determine a margin-to-threshold ratio. Thus, a further step includes controlling the voltage regulator based on the comparison so as to maximize the margin-to-threshold ratio.

A method of controlling a wind turbine transformer is provided. The transformer has a primary side with a primary winding coupled to a power grid and a secondary side with a secondary winding coupled to an electrical power generating system of the wind turbine. The wind turbine transformer further includes an electronic on-load tap changer having semiconductor switches that are controllable to change a turns ratio of the primary winding to the secondary winding of the wind turbine transformer. The method includes the step of monitoring a voltage on the primary side of the wind turbine transformer, a voltage on the secondary side of the wind turbine transformer, or both. In response to detecting a change in the monitored voltage, the semiconductor switches of the electronic on-load tap changer are automatically controlled to adjust the turns ratio of the wind turbine transformer to compensate for the change.

A cascading tap changing regulator has a set of input taps to power both stages of the cascade, each stage having its own series injection transformer to regulate the output. A set of switches are selectively engagable in respective on-off modes to effect a number of regulation steps, and a ratio of the number of steps to the number of switches in the set is greater than 1:1.

An on-load tap-changer for dry transformers, having an electric insulating hollow casing extending around a virtual axis, wherein several electric contact sections are foreseen along a path on the inner surface of the hollow casing, which are electrically joined through the wall of the hollow casing and a selector contact in the inner of the cylinder which is moveable along the path and that's outer end is selectively connectable with one of the contact sections by a respective movement. Respective cables are foreseen to electrically connect the contact sections from the radial outer side of the hollow casing, wherein at least some of the cables have a respective surrounding outer insulation at least at their respective connected end.

An on-load tap-changer for dry transformers, having an electric insulating hollow casing extending around a virtual axis, wherein several electric contact sections are foreseen along a path on the inner surface of the hollow casing, which are electrically joined through the wall of the hollow casing and a selector contact in the inner of the cylinder which is moveable along the path and that's outer end is selectively connectable with one of the contact sections by a respective movement. Respective cables are foreseen to electrically connect the contact sections from the radial outer side of the hollow casing, wherein at least some of the cables have a respective surrounding outer insulation at least at their respective connected end.