Advanced power conditioning system for grid integration of direct-driven PMSG wind turbines

The increasing use of distributed generation (DG), particularly based on wind power systems, requires new strategies for the operation and management of the power distribution system, especially with high installed capacity. Under this scenario, the power electronic technology plays an important role in the integration of DG into the electrical grid since the DG system is subject to requirements related not only to the renewable energy source itself but also to its effects on the power system operation. This paper proposes an improved structure of power conditioning system (PCS) for the effective grid integration of wind turbine generators (WTGs). The topology employed consists of a three-level Z-source cascaded inverter and allows the flexible, efficient and reliable generation of high quality electric power from the WTG system. A full detailed model is described and its control scheme is designed. Validation of models and control schemes is performed using the MATLAB/Simulink environment.