Performance and reliability comparison of grid connected small wind turbine systems

• Main Author: Arifujjaman, Md
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 2010
• Subjects: Newfoundland; Canada; Nain; Battle Harbour; Mary's Harbour; Little Bay Island; Cartwright
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/9464/; https://research.library.mun.ca/9464/1/Arifujjaman_MD.pdf

Small wind energy conversion systems are electromechanical devices that generate electricity from wind power for use in commercial as well as residential applications. System level comparison pertaining to such conversion systems is an important and challenging problem and in-depth analysis is essential for high penetration of wind power. A set of unique problems associated with this technology requires that the maximum power point tracking control be achieved through a simple, efficient, and most importantly, highly reliable manner. This research identifies these challenges and subsequently presents a comparison in terms of the performance and reliability of a furling control grid connected Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG) and Wound Rotor Induction Generator (WRIG)-based small wind turbine system. The power conditioning system for grid connection of the PMG-based system requires a rectifier, boost converter and a grid-tie inverter, while the WRIG-based system employs a rectifier, a switch and an external resistance in the rotor side with the stator directly connected to the grid. The proposed research develops the system level mathematical model for the power conditioning system losses that fluctuates with the wind speed. It is found by the simulation that compared to the PMG-based system, the WRIG-based system can provide low power losses at low wind speeds, thus resolving the typical obstacle of variable speed operation. The comparison is further enhanced by investigating the annual energy capture, annual energy loss and efficiency for the wind speed information of eight test sites in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada: Battle Harbour (BH); Cartwright (CW); Little Bay Island (LB); Mary's Harbour (MH); Nain (NA), Ramea (RA); St. Brendan's (SB); and St. John's (SJ). It is demonstrated that the WRIG-based system yields lower energy loss which results in a system of higher efficiency for a wind speed of 2 m/s (cut-in) to 17 m/s (cut-out). Furthermore, experimental test benches are developed for both systems based ...