Performance Analysis of Grid- Tie Inverter for Reactive Power Injection Mode in Hybrid Wind Solar Energy System

Though the average lifespan of a wind turbine is 20−25 years, the power is being generated in the wind generating stations even after the average life span. But, when the wind turbine is used after this average life span the maximum power that can be generated will be reduced due to aging of mechanical parts and maintenance factors. Also, the other equipments like transformer and switchgear can be operated with reasonable efficiency even after the maximum working life span of the wind turbine. Hence utilization of a wind generating station can be improved by connecting a solar power system with the existing transformer and switch gear setup which forms hybrid wind-solar energy system. The various possible features that can be added in the hybrid system are discussed and analyzed in this paper. This work mainly focuses on the solar array and grid connected inverter and its performance. The solar irradiation is available only during the day time (i.e., 6 to 8 hours per day). In the absence of solar radiations, the PV system and grid connected inverter will be idle. To increase the utilization of the grid-tie inverter for a day, it can also be operated at reactive power injection mode when the PV power is unavailable. The inverter that can be operated at both active and reactive power injection mode is simulated in this paper. Results and effective analysis are carried out to enhance the operation of grid connected inverter used in the hybrid power station.