Electrical grid integration and power quality studies of a variable-speed wind energy conversion system

This paper is concerned with the behavior of a variable-speed wind energy conversion system, in order to assess the power quality injected in the electrical grid. Different topologies for the power-electronic converters are considered, namely two-level and multilevel converters. We use pulse width modulation by space vector modulation associated with sliding mode for controlling the converters, and we introduce power factor control at the output of the converters. We present the total harmonic distortion and the fast Fourier transform of the current injected in the electrical grid, considering each power-electronic converter. Finally, conclusions are duly drawn.