Power generation system and method with resistive braking capability

1. A power generation system comprising:

a generator operatively coupled to an engine for generating electrical power and supplying the electrical power to a grid;

a resistive braking system operatively coupled between the generator and the grid, wherein the resistive braking system comprises:

a mechanical switch connected in parallel with a resistor; and

a controller operatively coupled to the engine, wherein the controller, in response to a grid event, is configured to:

send a first control signal to partially or fully switch OFF an ignition of the engine to control mechanical power from the engine to the generator;

send a second control signal to open the mechanical switch before a first predetermined time from an occurrence of the grid event to redirect current from the mechanical switch to the parallel connected resistor;

send a third control signal to partially or fully switch ON the ignition of the engine after the first predetermined time;

send a fourth control signal to close the mechanical switch if the grid event is cleared before a second predetermined time from the occurrence of the grid event; and

send a fifth control signal to switch OFF the ignition of the engine if the grid event is continued after the second predetermined time.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the resistor is sufficiently sized for absorbing a certain amount of the electrical power and energy from the generator when the mechanical switch is opened.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to regulate a speed of the generator based on the controlled mechanical power from the engine.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to detect the grid event based on an input signal.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the input signal comprises a voltage signal, a current signal, a generator power signal, a speed signal, a rotor angle signal, an engine power signal, an engine torque signal, or any combination thereof.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the engine comprises a gas turbine, a gas engine, or a wind turbine.

7. A method of supplying electrical power to a grid from a generator coupled to a resistive braking system connected between the generator and the grid, the resistive braking system comprising a mechanical switch connected in parallel with a resistor, the method comprising:

supplying the electrical power to the grid through the mechanical switch under normal operating conditions; and

upon a grid event being detected, (a) sending a first control signal from a controller for partially or fully switching OFF an ignition of the engine for controlling mechanical power from an engine to the generator, (b) sending a second control signal from the controller for opening the mechanical switch before a first predetermined time from an occurrence of the grid event so that current from the generator is redirected from the mechanical switch to the resistor, (c) sending a third control signal from the controller for partially or fully switching ON the ignition of the engine after the first predetermined time, (d) sending a fourth control signal from the controller for closing the mechanical switch if the grid event is cleared before a second predetermined time from the occurrence of the grid event, and (e) sending a fifth control signal from the controller for switching OFF the ignition of the engine if the grid event is continued after the second predetermined time.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the grid event is detected based on an input signal.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the input signal comprises a voltage signal, a current signal, a generator power signal, a speed signal, a rotor angle signal, an engine power signal, an engine torque signal, or any combination thereof.