Offshore-Wind-Farm Configuration Using Diode Rectifier With MERS in Current Link Topology

This paper proposes a novel current link topology with a diode rectifier and magnetic energy recovery switch (MERS) using a current source inverter for offshore-wind-farm application. Despite the use of a diode rectifier, the proposed topology is capable of regulating individual turbine torque partially. Because offshore wind condition is more stable and has less turbulence intensity (typically 0.08) than that of onshore wind, the individual full-range controllability realized typically by pulse-controlled converters is not necessary. Instead of them, the proposed scheme, a diode rectifier with MERS, has only partial controllability of the individual generator torque which is estimated to be sufficient to achieve the maximum power point tracking operation for offshore-wind-farm application. The proposed topology is aiming to be applicable for offshore wind farms where maintenance reduction is conclusively a critical issue because of the inaccessibility. In this paper, experimental results represent the effectiveness of the topology. Moreover, a new control strategy for offshore wind farms with the proposed topology is also proposed.