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2016 3rd International Conference on Renewable Energies for Developing Countries (REDEC)

Comparison of Different Types of Generator for Wind

Energy Conversion System Topologies.
Anissia Beainy, Chantal Maatouk 2, Nazih Moubaycd', Fouad Kaddah 2
CRSI, Faculty of Engincering, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
CINET, ESIB, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Anissia.beainy @hotmail.com, [email protected]
[email protected], [email protected]
Abstract- This paper outlines the advantages and the reviewed in this paper and the most-suitable ones in termms of the
disadvantages of the most commonly generator used in Wiud weight, size, and reliability will be referred to.
Energy Conversion Systems (WECS). The state of art on wind
turbine technology is established by comparison of each type. The paper is divided in tothe following Sections. Seetion I1
Doubly Fed Induction Generators (DFIG), Squirrel Cage
Induction generators (SCIG) are the two types of induction shows the gencral configuration and different topologies of a
generators commonly used for geared operation in WECS in wind turbine and its conversion equations. In Section II the
variable speeds and fixed speeds, while the Permanent Magnet three different types of generators commonly in use for WT
Synchronous generators (PMSG) can operate gearless. Due to systems will be listed and they are; Doubly Fed Induction
higher demand of power from wind energy, off shore installations
are becoming more popular and new wind turbine designs are
Generators (DFIG), SquirrelCage Induction generators (SCIG)
being expected in the near future, with the development of the and Permanent Magnet Synchronous generators (PMSG).
improved geuerators and converter designs. Section IV will highlight the performance and market trend of
each and Section Vconcludes the most appropriate choice of
Keywords -Wind Turbine, DFIG, SCIG, PMSG, Gearbox, generator to be used according to the demand.
Direct- Drive, Variable Speed, HAWT.
II. WIND TURBINE CONFIGURATION AND TOPOLOGIES.
1. INTRODUCTION In the history of WT, there were two types of WTs in use; the
Worldwide, Governments have been focusing their attention fixed speed and the variable speed WT. Until the end of the 90's
in achieving their set targets for power production based on the fixed speed WT was more in use but developed many
renewable energies. The latest annual wind reports from uie nd shortcomings. They were less that lkw and were mainly of
of 2011 have stated that the installed wind power worldwide SCIG type. Nowadays, a newer technology is in use which is
(239GW) is enough to supply 3% of the world's demand in called the variable speed WT. This type is known to achieve
electric power [1]. In many countries around the world, wind maximum aerodynamic efficiency over a wide range of wind
energy has been ranking high in the total annual energy speeds as those of the wind [l ]. Typically, large scale WTs are
of horizontal axis configuration (HAWT), or three rotor blades,
production. Naming some countries: Denmark (22%), Spain with the mechanical parts and the generator mounted in a
(15.4%), Portugal (21%), Ireland (10.1%), and Germany (6%) nacelle. This nacelle is positioned high up cn a mast or tower.
[2]. The blades of some large scale WTs can reach up to 140 m in
Wind energy has long attracted lots of attention as a clean diameter with a rotational speed between 5 and 25 rpm [12]. WT
source of power. Wind power is extracted by Wind turbines with Variable-speed operation and pitch control systems seenm
(WTs). Most WT today are onshore or land-based. WTs have to be the current standard nowadays [13].The different geared
increased in size along the years, starting from a few KW to the and direct wind turbine topologies with their rotor and stator
multi MW systems found installed nowadays [3,4). New and type are shown in Fig, 2.
different combinations and configurations of generators and
convertors help achieve high and stable output power. A major Asseen in FIG Iabove, WTs are systems that have the ability
modification in WTs technologies is the introduction of pitch to transform the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity. This
able blades which to enable the control of the wind power input process passes by many stages and is characterized by the
to Uhe generator system [S,6]. In the near future, a lot of WT will following equations [8]:
be moving toward off shore installation where the winds are
stronger and thus the need of WTs of higher rating PM= Cp (2, B).Py ()
Pw =. R'. V".PAR
2 (2)
WT are usually installed together as wind farms in remote
arcas where power supply from grid is scarce and the wind farm
is usually connected to astorage system, Wind farms can also Where Pw and P represent the wind power and the
be directly connected to grid for provision of extra power. [7J.
mechanical power of the wind respectively, Cp is the
performance coefficient of the turbine, R designates the rotor
State-of-the-art wind conversion systems that have been radius, V represents the wind speed and pAR is the air density.
developed and which are curently installed worldwide are still
mainly geared wind turbines. The direct drËve type will also be

978-1-5090-1864-2/16/$31.00 ©2016 IEEE

 (REDEC)
Renewable Energies for Developing Countries
2016 3rd International Conference on

I|L, GENERATORS TYPES

WIND Below is introduced the configurations of threc generaltypes

of wind turbines that fall under the induction generator and the
synchronous gencrator categorics and their mathematical
nodels will be presentcd. Power quality, reliability and
RNO TUNN GNMTO OWEN LECTRONICSTWSFORMER performance will be tcchnically comparcd in thc end.
POWER a) Induction Generator Modeling:
GRID
The Rotor and Stator voltage cquations aregiven as:
Var = R, idr + dar (5)
Gear-bon
Vgr = R, lgr + sw,War (6)
Vds = R, iás + dYds - sw,qs (7)

Vgs = R, igs t - sw,Was (8)

Fig. 1: Wnd conversion system layout.
The flux linkage and the electromagnetic torque
The perfomance coefficient factor Cr(2,B) is in function of T, equations are represented below respectively:
which is the tip speed ratio (TSR) andB which represents the
pitch angle of the blade in degrees. Cp is at its maximum value Yas = Lmidr - Lgids (10)
when B=0 and A=8.1 The mechanical torque Tmec can be (11)
detemined in the following relations, where Gm is the torque Vas = Lmlqr - Lsi'qs
= Lmids - Lyidr (12)
coefficient [9,10]: Yar = Lmidg - Liiqr (13)
Tei= Yarlar -Yarlgr (14)
(3)
Where, v,, i, and Y, represent the rotor voltage,
Tmec n. R°. Cm: V. PAIR (4) current and flux respectively; , v,s ,i, and W,are stator
voltage, current and flux respectively.
W represents the angular velocity; d and q are the
direct and quadrature axis components respectively, Lm
represents the mutual inductance; Ll and Lyl are the
stator and rotor leakage inductance.

MECHANKAL ENERGY SORCE OFVARASLESPEED

DREGT GEARox

tnducton
Mtipoter
Gen Gen

Pen Woung DAG

Maet roto rotor

Woud WOung WOnd Wound

Putl s ule Ful cale Pari

Powe Porer Power
overter oerter coerter Power
omerter

LECTNCALGID O8 LOCALLOAD
Fig. 2: Wind Turbine Topologies
 2016 3rd Intornatlonal Conference on Beneahle Enerales {or Developing Countrles (REDEC)

b) Synchronous Generator Mathematical Model.

The Permanent Magnct Synchronous Gencrator is oxpresscd DFIG TRANSFO
by the following cquations:
Vds = -R,l¡s - L dlas dt + LgU, lgs (15) GEARBOX PARTIAL SCALE CONV
Vqs =-R, lgs -Ls + Lglw, ias t w, (16)
AC/DC DC/AC
H PASS LOAD 0
CONV cONV
Where L, and R& represent the gencrator induclance and GRI0

resistance stator, respectively, W, is the generator rotor spccd,

and Y is the magnct flux, The clectromagnetic torque is given
CONTROL
by the following cquation:
Fig.3: Schematic ofa DFIG.
(17)
d) SCIG (Squirrel cage Induction Generator).
c) DFIG (Doubly Fed Induction Generator).
The SCIG as shown in Fig.4, operates completely minimum
DFIG is a wound- rotor induction generator. DFIG are the ranges of wind speeds through a gearbox. Variations in the rotor
most commonly used in the wind industry. In the DFIG, the speed of the SCIG are very small as the only speed variations
stator terminals are connected directly to the grid and the rotor that can occur are changes in the rotor slip. Due to this fact, the
SCIG was widely considered as fixed-speed and was the basis
across a partially rated convertor [14]. A gearbox is necessary to
of design for the first Danish WT.
couple the rotor to the generator due to the difference in the rotor
and generator specd ranges. These convertors are usually of It is very robust and little maintenance is needed only bearings
variable frequency (VFC) and back to back ACIDCIAC voltage lubrication. The rotor is composed of metallic bars that are very
source type [15]. They are made up of two lGBT converters: effective in resistive vibratory motion and dirt [6, 20]. In some
rotor side converter and grid side converter with a DC-link cases, a SCIG may and it is still used for variable-speed wind
connection. This converter decouples the electrical grid energy generation with a full-scale power electronic convertor
frequency and the mechanical rotor frequency, which in tun [23-26]. To extract more power from the wind is difficult
cnables variable speed operation. The rotor voltage is applicd because this can cause generator overload. So to achieve an
from the power converters. The Rotor Side Convertor (RSC) optimal power extraction, pitch angle regulation is necded.
fully controls the generator like in the control of active and
reactive powers, and controlling harmonics, while the Grid Side I) Advantages of SCIG:
Converter (GSC) controls the power factor and ensures that it is This machine is a very popular for its
high enough [16, 17]. A schematic of a DFIG is presented in mechanical simplicity and robust construction,
Fig.3. A SCIG requires no brushes for operation,
which are Sometimes necessary for the
I) Advantages of DFIG: operationof DFIG,
Mechanically and electrically simpler than Metallic rotor bars are very well resistant to
other generator types. The 3 stage geared DFIG vibrations and dirt,
is the lightest and low cost solution [181,
Converter Rating is only 25%-30% in DFIG as
Completely decoupled from the grid for
compared to 100 % of total nominal power of variable speed operations,
SCIG based WT have the advantage of
the generator, avoiding short circuit power from the grid
Rugged and brushless, because the control system limits any fault
Can reach to about 30% of synchronous speed, current from the grid side convertor going into
thus has a wide rangeof speeds [19], the system [27].
The converter compensates the reactive power 2) Disadvantages of SCIG:
and ensures smooth grid integration, Two full scale converters are required for
High efficiency and energy yield. operation,
2) Disadvantages of DFIG: It does not have the advantage using reduced
For WTs based on DFIGS, gearboxes are still a size power converters as in the DFIG, for
necessity since a multiple pole DFIGwith low
variable speed operation,
speed is not yet technically available [20]. It can't function as a multi-pole direct drive
Difficulties associated complying with grid
mode (gearless).
fault ride-through (21,22),
Medium reliability and reduced longevity due
to bearings and gear faults.
 Energies for Developing Countries (REDEC)
2016 3rd International Conference on Renewable

CONTROL

TRANGFORMER
TRANSFO
WE EN AC/AC
CONVC
AC/DCDCAC
(GEARDOX CONV CONV
SCIG Gerles,

cONTROI
flter
CAPACITOR LOAD OR PMSG
SYSTEM GRIO
BANK FULL SCALE CONV

Fig.5: Schematic of a PMSG

Fig.4: Schematic of a SCIG.

e) PMSG (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator). IV. PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF THE DIFFERENT WIND
To couple the slow spinning turbine rotor blade to generators GENERATOR SYSTEMS AND MARKET TRENDS.

like the DFIG and the SCIG, high speed multiple stage In this Section, comparisons of different wind generator
gearboxes (1:100),nmedium-speed single-stage gearboxes (1:10) systems is performed, which includes the performance
are necessary. Direct-driven generators are system that do not comparison and the current market penetration of each type.
need the gearbox altogether and these systems are based on the
PSMG.Today's WTs high-speed multiple stage gcarboxes. have Some authors have made comparisons concerning variable
proven to be less reliable than expected by manufacturers thus speed and fixed speed generator systems. Some compared the
requiring replacement at 5 to 7 years from beginning of fixed speed SCIG with the direct drive PMSG [36]. While others
operation, and that is a much earlier than their expected design compared two types of direct drive SG with the DFIG [37]. With
life of 20 years [28,29,30]. rapid development of WT technologies, it is highly probable that
future trends in the industry will be focused on the continuously
On shore-based wind turbines have a serious issue of improving already existing and established technologies such as
PSMG, SCIG and DFIG.
decreased reliability and longevity so this becomes a critical
matter to look into for offshore installations. In this case, main The outer diameter of the direct-drive PMSG is nearly twice
WT manufacturing companies have started manufacturing WT of the conventional geared-drive SCIG; however, the total
with this type ofgenerators for mainly offshore installations [3 1 length is three times shorter including the length of high-speed
331. This type is the most efficient generator with power losses shaft. Al_0, the direct-drive PMSG system has its average
of about 65% of that of a typical DFIG [34]. A schematic of a
efficiency 1.6% higher than the fixed speed SCIG system at the
PMSG is presented in Fig.5. 3 MW rated power [17]. Additionally, due to the variable speed
1) Advantages of PMSG: operation, the direct-drive PMSG system can produce more
Lower maintenance cost due to absence of
energy 10-15% than the fixed single-specd concept.
gearbox,
In comparing the direct drive PMSG with the 3 stage geared
Improved reliability and longevity comes with DFIG and considering the part of the WTs, the total weight of
the elimination of the gears and bearings which both WT systems may have no big difference, but DFIG 3G is
are by themselves the main cause of faults in the the lightest in general and low-cost. solution with standard
generators [35], components. In Table I, the Annual energy yield in function of
Lower weight. total cost of these three generator performance parameters is
High efficiency and encrgy yield presented, Table II presents the different manufacturers of these
2) Disadvantages of PMSG: types of WT and their characteristics. Now considering market
High cost, penetration, most manufactures opt for geared-drive WT
the outer diameter of the direct drive PMSG is concepts. The wind market is predominated by DFIG with a
almost twice the size of that of the conventional multiple-stage gearbox, and the predominantly used generator
geared-drive SCIG. type is still the TG suhc as DFIG, SCIG and WRIG (Wound
Rotor). Manufacturers like, Vestas, Gamesa, GE wind.
Low maturity as it being a new technology, Repower, Nordex and Ecotecnia, manufacture multi stage
Increased mass and weight that can reach to ceared DFIG WTS. Companies like Enercon are manufacturing
critical proportions especially for WT above direct drive wind turbinessuch as PMSG. Fig 6 depicts the
3MW [30]. world share of different generator concepts [38], as recorded by
world manufacturers taken from their websites.
 Developing Countries (HEDEC)
2016 3rd International Conference on Bonkle Eoargies for

decreased
types like SCIG have
Table I: Annual energy yield/ total cost of three different wind As can be seen in Fig 6, decade in favor of variable
dramatically over the space of a to about
generator systems [34). had a huge increase
speed types like DFIG. These have drive types like PMSG have
COST SCIG DFIG PMSG s0% of the installed type. The direct
penetration has not shown any
(KEUR0) been steady and its market
alteration,
Gearbox 220 220
Converter 120 40 120 V. CoNCLUSIONS
Generator 287 320 432
cost art technology for
Total cost 1837 1870 1982 This paper has reviewed the state of the Variable speed
generators used in WECS. It is very clear that
with
very still attractive due to the fact that machines with
operation is
margine for mechanical stress and
this technology exhíbited reduced
company
increased power capture. As mentioned above and as can be seen
costs
fixed speed concept has
Annual 6705 7690 7890 in Fig.6, the market share of the variable speed wind
decreased quickly, whereas the demand for
energy multiple-stage geared-drive DFIG
yield Mwh
turbine has increased. The converter is still
with a partial-scale TGBT based power
Annual 3.63 4.11 3.98 compared with other
dominant in the current market. When
converter to
energy variable speed WTs that need a full-scale power
yield/ total that only 30% of the
operate, the main advantage of the DFIG is and this
cost
generated power goes through the power converter
with low cost
alone may have substantial cost advantages even
electronics. But considering that
of future converters and power related
DFIG suffer a lot from large peak currents during grid
full-scale
faults, variable speed wind turbines like SCIG with a
the grid may
power converter that are completely detached fromoption
be more effective and become a more attractive to deal
with grid related short circuit problems.

If overall efficiency, reliability and availability are a critical

requirement, the direct-drive PMSG wind generator systems
come into play because of omitting the gearbox. They are
usually larger, but that might not cause any disadvantage for the
offshore wind energy where there is no mater of land and space
3003 004
hindrance and where there is abundant wind speed.
927 198

Fig 6: World share of yearly installed power for different wind

generator systems from 1995 till 2004 [381
Table II: List Wind turbines Characteristic [39-44]
Type Manufacturer Utility Powerl Converter Power
control
Efficiency Comments

speed
features
Frequency Active LOw-medium Variable speed muitiple-stage gearbox with full-scale power
SCIG Siemens ON 3.6 MW
stall converter.
Wind Power SHORE power
DFIG Vestas ON 4.5 MVW Frequency Pitch Low-medium Variable speed multiple-stage concept with partial-scale
SHORE converter.
Vestas OFF 8MW
SHORE
Nordex ON 2.5 MW
SHORF

Ecotecnica ON 3 MWV
SHORE
GE Wind ON 3 . 6 MW
SHORE
Repower OFF S MW
SHORE
Gamesa ON 2 MW
SHORE
PMSG Enercon ON 6 MW Rectifier Pitch High Varlable speed direct-drve with full-scale power converter.
SHORE and
Enercon OFF 4.5 MW Frequency

Zypheros ON 2 MW
SHOR
Slemens OFF 6 MW
Wind Power SHORE