Power Electronics Evolution in Wind Turbines - A Market-based Analysis

The aim of the paper is to analyse the evolution of wind turbine topologies with a focus on their power electronics content, and to demonstrate the tendency of wind turbine manufacturers towards the development of generators connected to the grid by means of power electronics converters. The results are supported by a market study based on 91 % of the total installed wind capacity during the period 2000-2009. Wind turbines there are classified by topology where an important aspect is the complexity of their power electronic components. The evolution of the wind turbine market towards full power electronics converters coincides with the increasingly more strict technical requirements of the grid operation codes. The paper also provides a review of the power electronics converters used in wind turbines and a briefer description of the components that make up those converters. Finally, the paper details some of the current research and development trends plus a vision of the future by the industry.

LLORENTE IGLESIAS Rosario;  LACAL ARANTEGUI Roberto;  AGUADO ALONSO Mónica; 

2011-12-14

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

JRC62189

1364-0321,   

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032111002978,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC62189,   

10.1016/j.rser.2011.07.056,