Performance Comparison of Converter Topologies for Double Fed Induction Generator-based Wind Energy Conversion Systems

Victor  R. F. B. de Souza; Luciano  S. Barros; Flavio  B. Costa

doi:10.48011/asba.v2i1.1512

Victor R. F. B. de Souza Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
Luciano S. Barros Federal University of Paraíba
Flavio B. Costa Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

DOI: https://doi.org/10.48011/asba.v2i1.1512

Keywords: DFIG-based wind energy conversion systems, Performance comparison, Two-level voltage source converter, Three-level neutral point clamped, Three-level modular multilevel converter

Abstract

The advancements in power electronics have supported the widespread penetration of wind energy conversion systems (WECS) in electric grids. In this context, power converters have crucial functionality in the control of active and reactive power injection, moreover they are directly related to voltage and current harmonic distortion levels, mechanical and thermal stress that are experienced by the wind turbine. Currently, several topologies have been tested in order to improve the performance and increase the power processing of WECS to support the network demand. Based on the relevance of this issue, this paper presents a performance comparison of a Double Fed Induction Generator(DFIG)-based WECS employing three topologies of back-toback converters: two-level voltage source converter topology (2L-VSC), neutral point clamped (NPC) and modular multilevel converter (MMC). Simulation results present DFIG currents, voltages, torque, speed and the total harmonic distortion (THD), highlighting the performance improvement employing multilevel topologies and the impacts of using each topology.