Comparison of power converters for small-scale wind turbine operation

Abstract

Small-scale wind turbines commonly use AC/DC converters such as rectifiers, switched mode rectifiers (SMRs) and inverters. Another power converter, the semi-bridge SMR has been researched for automotive applications, and is utilised by a number of small-scale wind turbine manufacturers. This paper applies a novel modulation technique developed for automotive applications of the semi-bridge SMR for Lundell and interior permanent magnet alternators to small-scale wind turbines utilising surface permanent magnet generators. The performance obtained using the semi-bridge SMR is compared to that obtained using single-switch SMRs and inverters.