Wind Energy and Wind

Power Plants
 Vertical axis small wind turbine
• The Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) is a wind turbine that has its main rotational axis oriented in the vertical
direction.
• VAWTs were innovative designs that have not proven as effective in general as HAWTs, but they have a few good
features, including quiet operation.
• Because they are not as efficient as HAWTs, they are rarely used in large units. Most VAWTs are smaller units that can be
located in residential and commercial locations because they are much quieter than the horizontal-axis turbines.
• Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine Types
• The two types of vertical-axis wind turbines are the Darrieus wind turbine, which turns a shaft using lift
forces, and the Savonius wind turbine, whose cups are pushed by direct wind forces.
 Vertical axis small wind turbine
• Because they vary widely in speed, the AC generators they use do not produce a constant output. Usually, the output
goes to an inverter that converts it to standard AC (either single-phase or three-phase). Another option is to use DC as
the output.
• In urban areas, wind speed and directions are frequently changing, and wind speeds tend to be lower because
of buildings and other objects that create wind shadows.
• Vertical-axis wind turbines can generate the voltage at low wind speeds, and they do not have to change
direction to catch the usable wind.
• Vertical-axis wind turbines can produce electrical power at lower speeds and at a variety of changing speeds.
Darrieus Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine
• Figure 2 shows a typical Darrieus vertical-axis wind turbine. The physical appearance of the Darrieus wind
turbine looks like a large egg beater.
 Vertical axis small wind turbine
• The blade is mounted on a large monopole, and the generator is located at the bottom of the blade. The top of the pole has a number
of guy wires that hold the pole in place when the force of the wind causes the blade to rotate.
Figure 3 shows the internal parts of the Darrieus wind turbine.
 Vertical axis small wind turbine
When the Darrieus blade is operating, it is moving through the air in a circular path. The oncoming airflow
generates a net force pointing obliquely forward and is projected inward past the turbine axis at a certain
distance, giving a positive torque to the shaft. This helps the blade to rotate in the direction it is already
traveling.
The action of this blade is similar to the aerodynamic principles used in helicopters, and it makes the
operation of this type of wind turbine quieter than a horizontal-axis wind turbine of the same size.
Because there is less friction on the blade, the blade can rotate with equal torque regardless of the wind’s
direction.
A problem with the Darrieus wind turbine is that it is not self-starting, so it uses its generator as a motor to get
the rotor started. As the wind increases the blade speed, the power to the motor is turned off and it begins
working as a generator.
Darrieus wind turbines were installed on early wind farms, but most of them have been taken out of use in
commercial applications because they are not as efficient as HAWTs and they require constant maintenance.
 Vertical axis small wind turbine
Quiet revolution VAWTs
Figure 4 shows another type of vertical-axis wind turbine called the Quiet revolution QR5. This unit, a variation
on the Darrieus wind turbine, quietly produces enough energy to supply a home or small office even at lower
or variable wind speeds.
The unit requires a three-phase electrical connection, which may not be available at some smaller commercial
or residential sites.
The QR5 turbine uses a direct-drive, permanent magnet synchronous generator integrated into the base of
the rotor.
 Vertical axis small wind turbine
Savonius Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine
The Savonius vertical-axis wind turbine uses cups, called scoops, instead of blades to capture wind power.
Figure 5 shows an example of a Savonius vertical-axis wind turbine.
When the wind blows, it creates a positive force in the scoop and a negative force on the back side of the
scoop. This difference in force pushes the turbine around.
In a typical Savonius turbine, the wind comes from the front of the cylinder, causing rotation. However, wind
also strikes the back of the other scoops, tending to slow the rotor.
Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Constant Speed Electric Generators:
Squirrel Cage Induction Generators(SCIG)
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Constant Speed Electric Generators:
Squirrel Cage Induction Generators(SCIG)
• This generator is simple in construction and coupled to the turbine
through gear box. It is a constant speed generator.
• Power control : Aerodynamically by pitch yaw and small active
control.
• To compensate reactive power, capacitor bank is connected to cross-
lines. This increases active power and also improves power factor.
• In this case the stator of squirrel cage induction generator is to 'Grid'
by back-to-back power electronics converter bridge.
• Output voltage from generator is stepped-up by 3-ph step-up
transformer to suit the connection to grid system.
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Constant Speed Electric Generators:
Squirrel Cage Induction Generators(SCIG)
Advantages of Squirrel Cage Induction Generator (SCIG) used in Wind Power Plant :
• Better wind energy utilization.
• Reduces reactive power demand on self-excited capacitor bank.
• Very simple in construction, robust size, rugged construction.
• Cheaper in cost.
• Rectifier can generate excitation current for generator.
• Fast transient response.
• Few parts, so reliable operation.
• No frequency conversion, so no problem of current harmonics.
Disadvantages of Squirrel Cage Induction Generator (SCIG) used in Wind Power Plant :
• Noisy operation.
• Power converter is costly.
• It has very low efficiency.
• Additional components such as reactive power compensator is required in the circuit.
• For smooth grid connection, a soft starter is required.
• Gear box maintenance is frequent, so cost increases.
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Constant Speed Electric Generators:
Wound Rotor Induction Generator (WRIG).

It is also a constant speed generator. Main Components of Wound Rotor Induction Generator (WRIG) in Wind Power Plant
Blades turbine rotor unit 1. Gear box 2. Wound rotor induction generator 3. Variable resistance [Link] power compensating
capacitor bank 5. 3-phase transformer 6. To grid system tower.
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Constant Speed Electric Generators:
Wound Rotor Induction Generator (WRIG).
• Wind energy rotates the rotor of turbine. The gear box of wound
rotor induction generator rotates and produces electrical energy. The
voltage is stepped by 3 phase transformer and electrical energy is
transmitted to grid by high tension 3 phase AC lines on tower
supported structure.
• For controlling the slip (or speed of generator), a 3-phase star-
connected resistance unit is connected to the rotor circuit.
• Voltage is induced in the stator winding and therefore 3-phase power
directly goes to the grid circuit through step-up 3-phase transformer.
• Fluctuations in torque and power are controlled by variable slip
feature
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Constant Speed Electric Generators:
Wound Rotor Induction Generator (WRIG).
Advantages of Wound Rotor Induction Generator (WRIG) in Wind Power
Plant :
• As seen in the sketch there is no need of slip-rings.
• Mechanical stress is reduced.
• Reliable system.
• Very simple.
Disadvantages of Wound Rotor Induction Generator (WRIG) in Wind
Power Plant :
• It has limited speed range.
• Poor control of active and reactive power.
• Slip power dissipated as losses.
• Efficiency is not much.
Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Variable Speed Electric Generators:
Doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG)

Main components of wind power conversion to electric power :

[Link] and turbine rotor
[Link] box
[Link] generator
[Link] / Inverter unit (DC transmission link)
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Variable Speed Electric Generators:
Doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG)
Energy conversion system with D.C. link is shown above
Wind energy received by blades rotates the turbine shaft and through gear box the rotor of
induction generator starts rotating converting mechanical power into 3-phase electrical
power.
Stator winding of induction generator is connected to the grid circuit.
Rotor winding is connected to grid using a power converter unit.
This unit is a 4 quadrant power converter. It has two back to back PWM-VSI.
Rotor side converter : It regulates electromagnet torque and also for maintaining excitation
of machine supplies small amount of reactive power.
In synchronous and sub-synchronous mode, it can transfer maximum power. Secondly as
converter is connected to rotor, power rating of converter is reduced. This allows whole
power flow through stator.
Inverter controls supply side.
Diode bridge rectifier and D.C. link capacitor are also sometimes used.
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Variable Speed Electric Generators:
Doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG)
Advantages of Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) in Wind Power Plant
• It is suitable for high capacity power applications.
• Without bridge over-loaded it is able to produce more output.
• Inverter cost is not much more.
• Converter cost is also not much more.
• Machine is robust and gives stable response.
Disadvantages of Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) in Wind Power Plant
• It requires a complex control.
• Machine is not that rugged.
• As there are slip-rings, periodic maintenance is a must.
• In case grid fault condition arise and as stator is directly connected to grid circuit, it is
sensitive in that situation.
• As gear box is provided the cost is more, so also maintenance of gear box is periodic,
not be neglected.
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Variable Speed Electric Generators:
wound rotor synchronous generator (WRSG)

Main Components of Wound Rotor Synchronous Generation (WRSG) in Wind Power Plant
• Blades and wind turbine
• Wound rotor synchronous generator
• Exciter
• Rectifier (Generator side control)
• Inverter (Grid Side control)
• 3-ph step-up transformer
• Output to grid system
• D.C. link
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Variable Speed Electric Generators:
wound rotor synchronous generator (WRSG)
• Rectifier-Capacitor-Inverter unit is a back-to-back power converter
assembly with D.C. link.
• AC-D.C. Rectifier-is placed between stator winding and D.C. link.
• Power Inverter-towards grid.
• Stator-3-ph. Stator Y connected. Stator connects grid.
• Rotor-wound rotor winding as field winding is excited by exciter (3).
• Energy conversion-Wind energy is received by
• Blades of turbine and turbine rotor rotates
• Coupled generator rotates converting rotational (mechanical) energy
into electrical energy. Voltage is stepped by 3-ph transformer and
power goes to grid circuit.
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Variable Speed Electric Generators:
wound rotor synchronous generator (WRSG)
Advantages of Wound Rotor Synchronous Generation (WRSG) in Wind Power Plant
• Active-reactive power flow control is provided by the power converter unit.
• Suitable for high power generation.
• Real and reactive power is controlled independently.
• Gear box is not needed.
• Whose stator current is utilized for electromagnetic torque production, naturally
efficiency is higher.
• Power factor is better.
• In grid fault situation, stator connections are isolated immediately.
Disadvantages of Wound Rotor Synchronous Generation (WRSG) in Wind Power Plant
• Dynamics of mechanical balance is difficult.
• For field winding, d.c. source is required.
• Maintenance cost is much more.
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Variable Speed Electric Generators:
permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)

Main components of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator :

• Blade and turbine rotor assembly.
• Permanent magnet synchronous generator.
• Power converting unit rectifier and inverter.
• 3-phase step-up transformer from which 3-phase A.C. power is fed to grid.
• Blade turbine assembly (1) Is rotated by wind power. The rotation of steam turbine rotor gives mechanical power to
generator (2) for converting into electrical power.
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Variable Speed Electric Generators:
permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator :
 Stator : Is stator is similar as stator of previous WRSG type. 3-phase Y connected stator winding in which 3-phase
voltage is induced is directly fed to grid system. The output voltage prior to connect to grid is stepped up by 3-phase
transformer (5).
 Rotor : Rotor structure is provided with permanent magnets pole system.
 Power Converter Unit (3) and (4) :
• This unit provides operation of power plant to operate at different speeds/ frequencies.
• The rectifier unit converts variable frequency/ variable amplitude A.C. voltage of generator into d.c. voltage at
variable level.
• It is a charge controller.
• Inverter converts this D.C. Into A.C. at grid frequency level, voltage level and phase angle.
• Active and reactive power flow is controlled by the same power converter unit.
Working in short of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator :
• Wind power rotates rotor of wind turbine, it rotates rotor of permanent magnet type synchronous generator. The
field of rotor rotates with rotor and stator stationary coils cut the flux of rotor magnet and emf Is Induced in stator
coils.
• Rectifier/ Inverter unit converts variable voltage and variable frequency output into constant frequency (50-60 Hz)
and constant magnitude voltage. This stable voltage from stator goes to grid circuit to connect the power from this
wind power station to grid system.
 Wind energy conversion system (WECS):Variable Speed Electric Generators:
permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)
Advantages of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator :
• Construction is simple.
• It is robust.
• Cheaper In cost.
• No excitation system is required (as permanent magnets).
• High frequency.
• Low loss.
• No gear box is needed.
• Power converters regulate voltage and active and reactive power flow.
• Power factor is controlled.
Disadvantages of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator :
• Difficulty of non-availability of large size permanent magnets, so useful for small/ medium size wind
power plants only.
• Possibility of de-magnetisation permanent magnet.
• Complicated structural dynamics.
• Need cooling system to maintain temperatures within limits.
Geared type wind power plants: Components, Layout and Working principle.

Main components of Gear Wind Power

Plant :
1. Blades and hub
2. Gear box
3. Yaw drive
4. Generator
5. Tower
6. Control
7. Foundation
8. Nacelle
9. Transformer
10. Grid connection Let us see how
these components are assembled.
 Geared type wind power plants: Components, Layout and Working principle.
• This is the old and traditional type of plant requiring more maintenance and complex type circuit design.
• Design of blades of turbine hub is more important. Its design takes into account (1) wind speed, (2)
desired output power. Accordingly number of blades, blade orientation, diameter tip speed ratio are
designed. Lift-drag characteristics are taken into account.
• Rotor : Its blades are strong-durable, light weight and non-corrosive. Composites of reinforced plastic
and fibre-glass is used for construction. Rotor design is aerodynamic.
• Gear box : It is located in between rotor of blades and the unit of generator. Its design is complicated.
Rotor output is amplified by this gear box. It suffers highest stress. Gear box and generator act as a drive-
train.
• Generator : Variety types of generators are suitable for such type of plant. Turbine rotor rotates the
generator which converts rotational energy into electrical energy. Power electronic unit is provided
which facilitates to feed power to grid system.
Working of Gear Wind Power Plant :
• Wind blow on the turbine blades of turbine starts its rotor, in turn, it drives the generator which produce
electrical energy. (Kinetic energy is converted into mechanical energy which is then converted into
electrical energy).
• Gear box helps in increasing the speed upto 1500 rpm.
• Gear box construction is complicated, its consists of many wheels and bearings and requires frequent
maintenance.
 Geared type wind power plants: Components, Layout and Working principle.
Advantages of Gear Wind Power Plant :
• Light in weight.
• Provides very high torque to turn.
• It is cheaper in cost.
• It is able to provide high speed operation which is very economical for the
plant.
Disadvantages of Gear Wind Power Plant :
• Its design is not so simple but is very complicated.
• Reliability issues arise.
• Serious damages may occur if any in case of misalignment.
• So many moving parts, so maintenance work is critical and frequent which
involves more cost.
 Direct drive type wind power plants: Components, Layout and Working principle

Main components of the Wind Power Plant :

1. Variable speed fixed pitched blades. 2. Wind turbine. 3. Synchronous generator. 4. Rectifier unit 5. Voltage regulator
6. Surplus energy dump 7. D.C. control unit 8. Inverter 9. Battery 10. Power outputs AC and DC. 11. Assembly of all these
components is shown below in the block diagram.
 Direct drive type wind power plants: Components, Layout and Working principle

• As compared with previous plant, this plant has no gear-box.

• Turbine blades (1) are very light in weight, made of stiff carbon fibre material. Blades are flat
shaped. Due to this shape, lift Increases.
• Pitch controller helps blades from high wind forces.
• Wind turbines (2) Wind power rotates blades and therefore rotor of turbine rotates.
• Rotor of turbine rotates generator (G) (3). The generator is permanent magnet synchronous
generator.
• Generator (3) converts mechanical power into electrical power.
• Diameter of rotor of generator converts much more power when turning slowly.
• Wind speed-direction data received from sensors, yaw drive turns nacelle to face maximum wind,
with the use of 'pitch control blade angle is adjusted as per wind speed.
• Rectifier unit (4) converts AC to DC, voltage regulator (5) regulates output voltage and sends to
D.C. control unit (7) from where D.C. supply output power can be fed to DC loads.
• Inverter unit (8) converts D.C. Into A.C. from where A.C. power is the output to be supplied to
load (10) or to be connected to grid system.
• Battery (9) is connected to D.C. control unit (7).
 Direct drive type wind power plants: Components, Layout and Working principle

Advantages of Direct Drive Wind Power Plant :

• It has high power to weight ratio.
• Plant is efficient.
• Cooling needed is less.
• More reliable.
• Better performance.
• Light weight.
• Requires less maintenance.
Disadvantages of Direct Drive Wind Power Plant :
• Transportation problem is more.
• Needs Improvements in mechanical as well as electromagnetic structure.