Generation Schemes for Wind Power Plants

This paper reviews various electric generation schemes for wind energy conversion suitable for interconnection with a power grid. The schemes can be generally classified as constant speed constant frequency (CSCF) and variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) systems. Historically, only CSCF systems have been used for large power generation in wind power plants. However, with the advent of power electronics and the availability of solid state devices capable of handling large amounts of power, VSCF systems are becoming competitive. Various schemes under each classification are discussed and compared. It is stressed, however, that the optimum choice of the generating scheme is not decided by considering the generator alone. The optimum choice is one which minimizes the cost of energy generated by the wind power plant.