Wind Energy Conversion Systems

Abstract

Introduction: The production of electricity from wind energy presents an increased growth and sustained since 1985. Currently, there are wind generators located throughout the world whose power already reaches values exceeding 250 GW. The main technologies used in electromechanical conversion of wind energy into electric energy are based primarily on three types of electric machines: • The direct current (DC) machine; • The synchronous machine; • The induction machine. These machines work on the principles of the electromagnetic actions and reactions. The resulting electromechanical energy conversion is reversible. The same machine can be used as the motor for converting the electrical power into mechanical power, or as the generator converting the mechanical power into electrical power. Typically, there is an outer stationary member (stator) and an inner rotating member (rotor). The rotor is mounted on bearings fixed to the stator. Both the stator and the rotor carry cylindrical iron cores, which are separated by an air gap. The cores are made of magnetic iron of high permeability, and have conductors embedded in slots distributed on the core surface. Other way, the conductors are wrapped in the coil form around salient magnetic poles. In the Figure 1 is possible to see a cross-sectional view of the rotating electrical machine with the stator with salient poles and the rotor with distributed conductors. The magnetic flux, created by the excitation current in one of the two members, passes from one core to the other in the combined circuit always forming a closed loop. The electromechanical energy conversion is accomplished by interaction of the magnetic flux produced by one member with electric current in the other member. The induced current is proportional to the rate of change in the flux linkage due to rotation.