Performance enhancement of grid-connected fixed speed wind energy conversion systems (WECS)

Wind power generation is regarded as the most promising of all renewable energy supply to meet the global commitment to climate change. Of all wind power technologies, the fixed speed system employing the rugged squirrel cage induction generators (SCIGs) are the cheapest and simplest for grid connection. While the self excitable induction generator behavior in stand alone circumstances has been studied in detail, not much attention has been given to the efficiency optimization of the grid connected wind turbine driven SCIGs. In this paper, a novel optimal energy extraction scheme of fixed speed system is proposed within the tolerable speed and voltage range of the SCIGs. The proposed technique doesn´t employ any expensive power converter or inverter arrangements but exploits the capability of the existing equipment.