A simple and reliable rectifier for PMSG wind turbines by using series reactive compensator named MERS

This paper proposes a series reactive power compensator named MERS to be applied to PMSG wind turbine. PMSG usually requires reactive power control to achieve full use of the generator voltage rating; therefore, a diode rectifier cannot be used and more complex voltage source converter is usually used as a generator side converter. The series compensator enables use of the diode rectifier with PMSG; therefore, relatively simple generator side converter can be achieved. This paper proposes the power conversion configuration using the series compensated diode rectifier with dc current link topology, and describes operation principle and compensation strategy to achieve full use of the generator capability at each rotation speed. Small scale experiments were conducted with 1.5 kW rated PMSG, and the results confirms the principles and advantages.