Review of Generator‐converter Configurations for Wecs

This chapter discusses the basics for wind energy and examines enough background to select wind generator‐power converter configuration for modeling and predictive control. Power converters in first generation of wind turbines (WTs) (Type 1) are used only for smooth grid connections, which are disconnected from the circuit once the generator is tied to the grid. Power converters that are identical on the generator‐side and grid‐side and are linked through a DC link are classified as back‐to‐back (BTB) connected converters. Parallel power converters increase power handling capacity but with the drawbacks of circulating currents and the subsequent power converter derating. The semiconductor device switching frequency is limited to few hundred hertz to minimize the switching losses and allow proper heat dissipation. The minimization of AC circulating currents and balancing of capacitors voltage between submodules is required to ensure the proper operation of the modular multilevel converter (MMC).