Three-phase PFC rectifier with high efficiency and low cost for small PM synchronous wind generators

Small Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators (PMSG's) are widely used in low power wind turbines. In order to inject the electrical power, generated by PMSG, to the grid, a back-to-back AC/AC power electronic converter is required. In this paper, a novel low cost efficient AC/DC converter is proposed for rectifier stage to obtain the maximum power per ampere of PMSG by using Power Factor Correction method. The new structure is based on DCM SEPIC converter. Reducing the number of semi-conductor switches has decreased converter cost. Additionally, other advantages of this Converter are employing easy control method to obtain the maximum power per ampere and using Synchronous inductance of PMSG as a converter element. Unlike Conventional DCM Boost rectifier, the proposed converter has a continuous input current that leads to lower conduction power loss in PMSG. Principles of operation are presented as well as the closed-loop simulation results for a 500W/100V prototype.