Power Electronics for Grid Integration of Wind Power Generation System

Abstract

The rising demands for a sustainable energy system have stimulated global interests in renewable energy sources. Wind is the fastest growing and promising source of renewable power generation globally. The inclusion of wind power into the electric grid can severely impact the monetary cost, stability and quality of the grid network due to the erratic nature of wind. Power electronics technology can enable optimum performance of the wind power generation system, transferring suitable and applicable energy to the electricity grid. Power electronics can be used for smooth transfer of wind energy to electricity grid but the technology for wind turbines is influenced by the type of generator employed, the energy demand and the grid requirements. This paper investigates the constraints and standards of wind energy conversion technology and the enabling power electronic technology for integration to electricity grid.