Comparison of SCIG and DFIG Wind Turbines during Variable Wind Speed

Abstract: The Renewable energy sources, which have been expected to be a promising alternative energy source, can bring new challenges when it is connected to the power grid. However, the generated power from renewable energy source is always fluctuating due to environmental condition. In the same way Wind power injection into an electric grid affects the power quality due to the fluctuation nature of the wind and the comparatively new types of its generators. Fixed speed wind turbine equipped with Squirrel cage induction generator has the advantages of being simple, robust and reliable. However, it also contains some disadvantages of uncontrollable reactive power output, mechanical stress and limited power quality control. Owing to its fixed speed operation, fluctuations in wind speed are further transmitted as fluctuations in the mechanical torque and then in the electrical power output. In order to overcome the above mentioned problems associated with fixed-speed wind turbine system and to maximize the wind energy capture, variable speed wind turbines based on Doubly fed induction generator are becoming employed.

Keywords: Doubly fed induction generator (DFIG), Flicker, Power quality, Squirrel cage induction generator (SCIG), wind turbine