A review of the state of the art of generators and power electronics for wind energy conversion systems

Energy is the most fundamental sector for the progression of a nation. The production of energy is going on from many years for the need of energy in all around the world but the true scenario is that the whole world is currently facing dreadful energy crisis in spite of numerous energy sources. So the production, distribution and the use of the energy should be as technological efficient as possible and incentives to save energy at the end-user should be set up. Two major technologies will play important roles to solve the future problems. One is to change the electrical power production sources from the conventional, fossil (and short term) based energy sources to renewable energy resources. The other is to use high efficient power electronics in power systems, power production and end-user application. This paper discusses trends of the most emerging renewable energy source, wind energy. With rapid development of wind power technologies and significant growth of worldwide installed capacity of wind power, wind energy conversion system has become a focal point in the research of renewable energy sources. This paper presents the recent developments in wind energy conversion systems with different wind turbine generators with their technical features and converter topologies, their classifications, choice of generators and their social and environmental benefits.