A novel variable-speed wind energy system using induction generator and six-switch AC/AC converter

Nowadays using of the wind energy has a growing trend in the world due to their numerous advantages. The wind energy is free, inexhaustible and it produces no waste or greenhouse gases. Furthermore, it is a good method of supplying energy to remote areas. In this paper, a new variable-speed wind energy conversion systems (WECSs) with a squirrel cage induction generator (SCIG) and a new six-switch AC/AC converter as power electronic interface between SCIG and network is proposed. Characteristics of six-switch AC/AC converter are used for maximum power tracking control under different wind speed and delivering power to the grid, simultaneously. This configuration uses only six active switches and six diodes and has the lowest number of active switches among three-phase to three-phase AC/AC converters proposed hitherto in the literature. This converter offers sinusoidal input and output, unity power factor and more importantly, low manufacturing cost. Two simulations are performed for proposed configurations and results are presented. The results verify effectiveness of the proposed interface configuration.