Operation and Control of Renewable Energy Systems

Chapter 3Renewable Energy Generator Technology

3.1 Energy Conversion

Energy conversion uses the primary energy present in raw natural form and converts it into a useful and efficient form of electric energy. In the renewable sources of energy, the conversion to electricity in the form suitable for domestic and industrial use is either by a rotating generator or static power electronic converters. Solar and fuel cells use static power electronic converters to generate electricity for practical use. The static power converters have already been described in detail in Chapter 2. In this chapter, rotating types of generators suitable for renewable energy sources, mainly hydro, wind and ocean, are discussed.

The large majority of sources of energy use rotating generators for example, wind, diesel, steam and hydro turbines, ocean waves and microturbines. A variety of electric generators are available for power conversion, and selection of proper generator is important factor in designing a renewable energy systems. It is, therefore, important to have knowledge of the characteristics of the available generator so that it may be selected for a specific application. Energy storage systems may be static or rotating as discussed in Chapter 4.

3.2 Power Conversion and Control of Wind Energy Systems

The major components of a typical wind energy conversion system include a wind turbine, generator, interconnection apparatus and control systems, as shown in Fig. 3.1. The generating systems ...