Cost-Effective Power Converters for Small Wind Turbines

Abstract

This paper presents AC/DC converters for cost-effective small wind turbine systems. The analysis focuses on reliable, sensor-less, and low-cost solutions. A recently developed type of the three phase AC/DC two-switch converter is compared, for the first time, using simulations and experiments, with two other converters. The operating principles and control methods are discussed. Simulation results are verified experimentally and interesting conclusions are drawn. It is shown that less known converters are also attractive solutions for use in small wind turbines.

Keywords

• regenerative braking
• PM generator
• small wind turbines
• microgeneration