An Update on the Electronic Connection Issues of Low Power SWTs in AC-Coupled Systems: A Review and Case Study

Rubén Bufanio, Luis Arribas, Javier de la Cruz, Timo Karlsson, Mariano Amadío, Andrés Enrique Zappa and Damián Marasco
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Rubén Bufanio: Facultad Regional Neuquén, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional 8318, Plaza Huincul, Neuquén, Argentina
Luis Arribas: Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas, Avda. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Javier de la Cruz: Instituto Nacional de Electricidad y Energías Limpias, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62490, Mexico
Timo Karlsson: Technical Research Centre of Finland, Tekniikantie 21, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Mariano Amadío: Laboratotio de Energía Eólica, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial, Cutral Co 8322, Neuquén, Argentina
Andrés Enrique Zappa: Laboratotio de Energía Eólica, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial, Cutral Co 8322, Neuquén, Argentina
Damián Marasco: Facultad Regional Neuquén, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional 8318, Plaza Huincul, Neuquén, Argentina

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-28

Abstract: Small wind turbines (SWTs) have been a common option for rural electrification during recent decades. Recently, an application for connecting these devices to the grid was proposed. This requires an AC-coupled configuration, which brings the need for a power converter necessary for connection to the AC bus. This publication analyzes the requirements and commercial availability of such power converters, coming first to a conclusion on the lack of existing electronic power converters for SWTs, mainly in the lowest power range (<1 kW). As a result of this need, PV power converters were proposed, as they are both economically competitive and commercially available. The use of PV power converters for SWT AC-coupled applications is therefore analyzed as well, bringing a second conclusion: their use is possible but not straightforward, as some adaptations have to be taken into account. Finally, a suggested adaptation is proposed, in terms of hardware and software; the first field results of a prototype are presented, and they look very promising.

Keywords: small wind turbine; AC-coupled; electronic power converter; solar PV inverter; overvoltage protection; prototype field test (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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