Wind Energy Systems ─ Solutions for Power Quality and Stabilization

Unlike conventional power plants, wind plants emit no air pollutants or greenhouse gases—and wind energy is a free, renewable resource. However, the induction machines commonly used as wind generators have stability problems similar to the transient stability of synchronous machines. To minimize power, frequency, and voltage fluctuations caused by network faults or random wind speed variations, control mechanisms are necessary. Wind Energy Systems: Solutions for Power Quality and Stabilization clearly explains how to solve stability and power quality issues of wind generator systems.

Covering fundamental concepts of wind energy conversion systems, the book discusses several means to enhance the transient stability of wind generator systems. It also explains the methodologies for minimizing fluctuations of power, frequency, and voltage.

Topics covered include:



An overview of wind energy and wind energy conversion systems


Fundamentals of electric machines and power electronics


Types of wind generator systems


Challenges in integrating wind power into electricity grids


Solutions for power quality problems


Methods for improving transient stability during network faults


Methods for minimizing power fluctuations of variable-speed wind generator systems


This accessible book helps researchers and engineers understand the relative effectiveness of each method and select a suitable tool for wind generator stabilization. It also offers students an introduction to wind energy conversion systems, providing insights into important grid integration and stability issues.

Mohd. Hasan Ali received a BScEng in electrical and electronic engineering from Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Bangladesh, in 1995, and an MScEng and PhD in electrical and electronic engineering from Kitami Institute of Technology, Japan, in 2001 and 2004, respectively. Currently, he is working as an assistant professor at the electrical and computer engineering department of the University of Memphis, Tennessee. Ali’s research interests include power system dynamics, stability and control, smart-grid and micro-grid power systems, renewable energy systems, energy storage systems, electric machines and motor drives, application of power electronics to power systems, flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) devices, and application of fuzzy logic control to power systems. He has authored and coauthored more than 100 publications, including journal and conference papers. Ali is a senior member of the IEEE Power and Energy Society.

OverviewIntroductionWhy Renewable EnergyWind EnergyAdvantages and Disadvantages of Wind-Generated ElectricityWorldwide Status of Wind EnergyAim and Scope of the BookReferencesWind Energy Conversion SystemIntroductionFundamental ConceptWind Energy TechnologyBasic Components of a Wind Turbine SystemTypes of Wind TurbinesModeling of Wind TurbineChapter SummaryReferencesElectric Machines and Power SystemsIntroductionDC MachinesAC MachinesElectrical Power SystemsPower QualityChapter SummaryReferencesPower ElectronicsIntroductionPower DevicesRectifierInverterChopperCycloconverterPulse Width Modulation SchemePWM VSCCurrent Source InverterChapter SummaryReferencesWind GeneratorsIntroductionFixed-Speed Wind Energy Conversion SystemsVariable Speed Wind Energy Conversion SystemsWind GeneratorsWind Generator CharacteristicsMaximum Power Point Tracking SystemWG Total Efficiency CalculationChapter SummaryReferencesWind Generator Grid Integration IssuesIntroductionTransient Stability and Power Quality ProblemsVariability of Wind PowerPower, Frequency, and Voltage Fluctuations Due to Random Wind Speed VariationGrid Connection RequirementsDesign and Operation of Power SystemsStorage OptionsGrid InfrastructureWind Power’s Contribution to System AdequacyChapter SummaryReferencesSolutions for Power Quality Issues of Wind Generator Systems IntroductionVarious Energy Storage SystemsEnergy Storage Systems ComparedUsing SMES to Minimize Fluctuations in Power, Frequency, and Voltage of Wind Generator SystemsPower Quality Improvement Using a Flywheel Energy Storage SystemConstant Power Control of DFIG Wind Turbines with Supercapacitor Energy StorageOutput Power Leveling of Wind Generator Systems by Pitch Angle ControlChapter SummaryReferencesSolutions for Transient Stability Issues of Fixed-Speed Wind Generator SystemsIntroductionModel SystemPitch Control MethodSuperconducting Magnetic Energy Storage MethodStatic Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) MethodBraking Resistor MethodSuperconducting Fault Current Limiter MethodStabilization Methods ComparedChapter SummaryReferencesFault Ride-Through Capability of Variable-Speed Wind Generator SystemsIntroductionDoubly Fed Induction Generator SystemsWound Field Synchronous Generator SystemsPermanent Magnet Synchronous Generator SystemsSwitched Reluctance Generator SystemChapter SummaryReferencesIndex