Wind energy conversion system course for electrical engineers. Part 2: Simulation activities

Theoretical background included in part 1 of this work has shown the wide variety that the wind energy industry is offering in terms of electrical/electronic components and configurations. Though the first part of the course provides the student with an updated knowledge of the current technological status of the wind energy conversion systems (WECS), from the educational point of view the lectures are mainly teacher-centered and some relevant skills for electrical engineers are not excited. In spite of the breaking activities (videos, tests, challenging questions, etc), the role of the student keeps being somewhat passive. Aiming to overcome this shortcoming, this second part of the course places the student in the center of the teaching-learning process through hands-on work. The teacher becomes a consultant and the student has to build a wind energy system using simulation tools. Results of the experience prove that not only the motivation of the students is increased, but also the performance and acquisition of adequate competences.