Second International Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering and Technology, ICETET-09

The Role of Power Electronics in Renewable

Energy Systems Research and Development
S. M. Shinde, K. D. Patil, Ms. S. S. Khairnar and W. Z. Gandhare

Abstract Power electronics (PE) is an application oriented and interdisciplinary area. It uses power semiconductor devices to
perform switching action in order to achieve a desired conversion strategy. The PE plays crucial role of conversion and control
electrical power. Therefore, PE based power converters are also widely used in renewable energy systems. This papers deals only
with the wind and solar-PV systems as they are the most promising renewable energy sources for generation of electricity. Therefore,
sustainable growth of wind and solar-PV powered electricity generation is expected in the years to come. The aim of this paper is to
illustrate and highlight the role of PE in the research and development of renewable energy systems. To illustrate and highlight the role
of PE in research and development of renewable energy systems using wind and Solar-PV, two cases of each type are presented in
this paper.

Index TermsPower Electronics, Renewable Energy Systems, Wind Power. Solar-PV, Stand-Alone System, Hybrid-System

1 INTRODUCTION

P OWER Electronics (PE) deals with conversion and con-

trol of electrical power with the help of electronic
switching devices. One advantage of the switching mode of
power conversion is its high efficiency, which can be 96% to
99% [1]. High efficiency saves electricity. In addition, PE de-
vices are more easily cooled than analog or digital electronics
devices. PE is often defined as a hybrid technology that in-
volves the disciplines of power and electronics.
Modern solid-state PE apparatus is highly efficient com-
pared to the traditional M-G sets, mercury-arc converters,
and gas tube electronics. The equipment is static and has a
low cost, small size, high reliability, and long life. Essentially,
the importance of PE can be defined as close to that of com-
puters. Globally, electrical energy consumption is growing
by leaps and bounds to improve our standard of living. Most
of the worlds energy is produced in fossil and nuclear fuel
power plants. Fossil fuel plants create environmental pollu-
tion problems, whereas nuclear plants have safety problems.
PE helps energy conservation by improved efficiency of uti-
lization. This not only provides an economic benefit, but
helps solve environmental problems [1]. Currently, there is
urgent need and hence, a growing trend toward using envi-
ronmentally clean and safe renewable power sources, such as
wind and solar-photovoltaics (Solar-PV), which are heavily
dependent on PE.
The recent developments in the field of PE have signifi-
cant impacts on research and development of renewable
energy systems for generation of electricity. The wind and
Solar-PV are the most promising renewable energy sources
for electricity generation. This paper highlights the role of PE
in research and development of wind and solar-pv based
S.M. Shinde is with the Department of Electrical Engg., Govt. College of
Engg., Aurangabad (MS-India), E-mail: sanjayshind@gmail.com..
K. D. Patil is Research Scholar in Department of Elect. Engg., Govt.
College of Engg, Aurangabad (MS-India), E-mail: kesharsingp@gmail.com.
Ms. S. S. Khairnar is with the Department of Electrical Engg., KKW
IEER, Nashik, (MS-India), E-mail: slknsk@rediffmail.com.
W. Z. Gandhare is the Principal of Government College of Engg. Au-
rangabad (MS-India), E-mail: wz_gandhare@yahoo.co.in.
renewable energy systems. To illustrate and highlight the
role of PE in research and development of renewable energy
systems using wind and Solar-PV, two cases of each type are
presented in this paper.
In case of wind power, the development of doubly fed
induction generator (DFIG) in place of conventional induc-
tion generator (IG) is become possible only because of PE.
Also, due to random variations in the wind speeds, the pow-
er from wind power generator is randomly fluctuating and
uncertain. Due to developments in the field of PE, it is now
possible to store the energy during high wind speeds/light
load and utilizing the same energy very efficiently, during
the low wind speed/full load period. Thus, the wind power
quality is considerably improved.
In case of solar-pv, the development of intelligent battery
charging controllers in place of conventional battery charg-
ing controllers is become possible only because of PE. Also,
efficient and intelligent converters made it possible to devel-
op and use wind-solar hybrid systems for electricity genera-
tion on large scale.
2 WIND POWER
2.1 Introduction
The first wind powered electricity was produced by a
machine built by Charles F. Brush in Cleveland, Ohio in
1888. It had a rated power of 12 kW (DC). Direct current elec-
tricity production continued in the form of small-scale,
stand-alone (not connected to a grid) systems until the 1930's
when the first large scale AC turbine was constructed in the
USA. There was then a general lull in interest until the 1970's
when the fuel crises sparked a revival in research and devel-
opment work in North America (USA and Canada) and Eu-
rope (Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden
and the UK). Modern wind turbine generators are highly
sophisticated machines, taking full advantage of state-of-the-
art technology, led by improvements in aerodynamic and
structural design, materials technology and mechanical, elec-
trical power and control engineering and capable of produc-
ing several megawatts of electricity. Large wind farms or

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Fig. 1. Global annual installed capacity growth from 1996 to 2008
Fig. 2. Yearwise installed capacity (MW) in India
wind power stations have become a common sight in many
countries on the globe. In fact, the grid connected wind ca-
pacity is undergoing the fastest rate of growth of any form of
electricity generation. Fig.1 shows the global annual installed
capacity growth from 1996 to 2008 [2]. Fig.2 shows year wise
installed capacity (MW) in INDIA. As on 31st March 2009, the
total wind power installed capacity in India has gone to
10242.3 MW [3].
In spite of the fact that, wind power suffers from disad-
vantages such as, fluctuating nature, poor power quality, and
lack of active and reactive power control, there is substantial
growth in the wind based electricity generation. This is due
to the fact that, todays wind power generation systems
could overcome the above disadvantages due to PE. In this
way PE is playing vital role in the development and im-
provement in the wind power generation systems.
There are number of applications of PE in the field of
wind power generation systems. However, mainly, PE is
used for power conditioning and control in wind power gen-
eration systems. Due to lack of space only two examples are
presented in this paper to illustrate and highlight the role of
PE in the wind power generation systems.
2.2 PE Based STATCOM Compensator
The Simulink [4] model of a test system employed in this
study is shown in Fig.3. The network consists of a 132 kV, 50
Hz, grid supply point, feeding a 33 kV distribution system
through 132/33 kV, 62.5 MVA step down transformer. There
are two loads in the system; one load of 50 MW, 0.9 pf (lag)
and another load of 6 MW, 0.9 pf (lag) at 50 kM from the
transformer. The 33 kV, 50 kM long line is modeled as line.
A 9 MW wind farm consisting of six 1.5 MW wind turbines is
to be connected to the 33 kV distribution network at 6 MW
load point. Dynamic compensation of reactive power is pro-
vided by a STATCOM located at the point of wind farm con-
nection. The 9 MW wind farm have conventional wind tur-
bine systems consisting of squirrel-cage induction generators
and variable pitch wind turbines [5].
Fig. 3. Simulink Model of a Test System
In order to highlight the role of PE based STATCOM. The
Simulink model of a test system is operated in two different
modes -
I. Without PE Based STATCOM, and
II. With PE Based STATCOM
In each case the pu voltage at 33 kV bus-1 and bus2
are measured. So that, the effect of STATCOM can be ob-
served.
2.2.1. Without PE Based STATCOM
In this mode of operation the STATCOM compensator is
not used in the system under study. In this way the system is
now without having any power electronics based device.
This is the case of conventional wind power generation sys-
tem. To assess the performance of this system the pu voltage
at 33 kV bus-1 and bus2 are measured. Fig. 4 shows the pu
voltage measured at 33 kV bus-1 and bus2. From this Fig.4
it seen that the voltage at 33 kV bus1 is below 0.94 pu.
Where as the voltage at 33 kV bus2 is 0.9 pu. As these vol-
tages are below 0.95 pu the system is having under voltage.
Fig. 4. Voltages at 33 kV Bus-1 and Bus-2 without STATCOM
2.2.2. With PE Based STATCOM
In this mode of operation the STATCOM compensator is
used in the system under study. In this way the system is
now having power electronics based device. So that, the role
of the power electronics in the conventional wind power
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Fig. 5. Voltages at 33 kV Bus-1 and Bus-2 With STATCOM
generation system can be highlighted. To assess the perfor-
mance of this system with STATCOM the pu voltage at 33
kV bus-1 and bus2 are measured. Fig. 5 shows the pu vol-
tage measured at 33 kV bus-1 and bus2. From this Fig. 5 it
seen that the voltage at 33 kV bus1 is improved to 0.95 pu.
Where as the voltage at 33 kV bus2 is raised beyond that at
33 kV bus1 and is at 0.975 pu.
From the comparison of voltages measured at 33 kV bus
1 and 2, during the operation of the system without and with
PE based STATCOM, it is seen that, the use of STATCOM
has significantly improved the voltage profile of the system.
From this simple example it is illustrated that PE based
devices play vital role in the development of wind power
generation systems.
2.3 Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG)
The wind turbines are composed of an aerodynamic ro-
tor, a mechanical transmission system, an electrical genera-
tor, a control system, limited reactive power compensation
and a step-up transformer. The conventional wind turbine is
even at the present time, the most common type of wind tur-
bine installed. The conventional wind turbine is connected
directly to the grid and the generator is synchronized to
the network. This technology has been named fixed rota-
tional speed wind turbine because the induction generator
allows small mechanical speed variations [6].
The main power system problems from this wind turbine
technology come from the lack of control on the active and
reactive powers. The active and reactive power control is
very important to keep the frequency and voltage stable
within limits. Lack of reactive power can lead to voltage
problems and no control in the active power can cause fre-
quency deviations.
Therefore, variable speed wind power generation sys-
tems are developed to overcome above disadvantages of
fixed speed systems. In variable speed systems wind turbine
the generator is controlled by PE equipment. There are sev-
eral reasons for using variable speed operation of wind tur-
bines; among those are possibilities to reduce stresses of the
mechanical structure, acoustic noise reduction and the possi-
bility to control active and reactive power. Most of the major
wind turbine manufactures in the world are developing new
larger wind turbines in the range of 3 to 6 MW ratings. These
large wind turbines are mainly based on variable speed op-
eration with pitch control using a DFIG. The major advan-
tage of the DFIG, which has made it popular, is that the
power electronic equipment only has to handle a fraction (20
to 30 %) of the total system power.
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Fig.6 shows the schematic representation of DFIG. In
which the stator is directly connected to the grid while the
rotor winding is connected via slip rings to back-to-back
converter. The back-to-back converter is designed so that the
IG can operate in a limited variable speed range. The gear-
Fig. 6. Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG)
box ratio is set so that the nominal speed of the IG corres-
ponds to the middle value of the rotor speed range of the
wind turbine. This is done in order to minimize the size of
the back-to-back converter, which will vary with the rotor
speed range. With this back-to-back converter it is possible to
control the speed (or the torque) and also the reactive power
on the stator side of the IG.
All new wind power based generation systems installed
throughout the world use DFIG. However, wind power sys-
tem with DFIG is still in research and development stage and
mainly, the research and developments in the field of PE
govern this research and development activities of DFIG.
3 SOLAR-PV
3.1 Introduction
Solar energy is the most readily available and free source
of energy since prehistoric times. It is estimated that solar
energy equivalent to over 15,000 times the world's annual
commercial energy consumption reaches the earth every
year. India receives solar energy in the region of 5 to 7
kWh/m2 for 300 to 330 days in a year. This energy is suffi-
cient to set up 20 MW solar power plant per square kilometre
land area. Solar energy can be utilized through two different
routes, as solar thermal route and solar electric or Solar-PV
routes. Solar thermal route uses the sun's heat to produce hot
water or air, cook food, drying materials etc. Solar-PV uses
sun's heat to produce electricity for lighting home and build-
ing, running motors, pumps, electric appliances, and light-
ing. Solar-PV systems are ideally suited for distributed re-
source applications. Solar-PV systems produce DC electricity
when sunlight shines on the Solar-PV array, without any
emissions. The DC electricity produced by Solar-PV is used
for battery charging through DC-to-DC converter. The DC
power from the battery is converted to AC power with an
inverter and can be used to power loacal loads or fed back to
the utility. The Solar-PV application can be grouped depend-
ing upon the schemes of interaction with utility grid: grid
connected, stand alone, and hybrid [7].
 To illustrate the role of PE in the research and develop-
ment of Solar-PV systems, stand alone and hybrid systems
are presented in this paper.
3.2 Stand Alone Solar-PV System
The stand alone Solar-PV system consists of a PV
generator (cell, module, array), energy storage devices (such
as batteries), DC-to-DC converter, DC-to-AC converter (in-
verter).
Fig. 7. Block Diagram of a Stand Alone Solar-PV System
Fig.7 shows the block diagram of a typical stand alone So-
lar-PV system.
As per the definition, stand alone Solar-PV involves no
interaction with utility grid. A Solar-PV panels contails many
arrays. Each array is composed of several modules, whereas
each module is composed of several solar cells. The battery
bank stores energy when the power supplied by the
Solar-PV modules exceed load demand and releases it back
when Solar-PV supply is insufficient. The load for Solar-PV
stand alone system can be a static load (e.g. lighting load) or a
dynamic load (e.g. motor load). The power conditioning at
the various stages is done by PE based converters and inver-
ters. Therefore, the role of PE based converter and inverter is
crucial in the stand alone Solar-PV system.
Due to recent developments in the PE, there are signifi-
cant impacts on the research and development of economic
and efficient stand alone Solar-PV systems.
3.2 Hybrid System
Solar-PV panels or small wind turbines depend on cli-
matic conditions to operate and produce electrical energy.
Thus, when operating alone they are poor power sources.
Systems that merge both the sources, wind and Sun, are
more effective in electric energy production. Thses solutions
are called hybrid systems. They can supply stand alone
systems (isolated electric systems that are not connected to
the power grid) or grid connected systems (systems con-
nected to the power grid). Even with hybrid systems there
are periods of time when nither of the sources produces
energy [8]. In stand alone systems energy storage is required
to overcome this situation and provide energy during such
periods. A hybrid system combines a small wind turbine and
Solar-PV. Their outputs are optimized by PE based power
controllers. The extracted energy is used to charge a battery
bank or to supply energy to an inverter. The inverter is con-
nected to the load.
Fig.8 shows the block diagram of a Wind- Solar stand
alone hybrid system. As seen from the fig.8, nowadays the
Fig. 8. Block Diagram of a Stand Alone Wind-Solar Hybrid System
installations of hybrid systems uses PE based converters
(AC-to-DC and DC-to-DC converter), inverter (DC-to-AC
converter), battery bank and microcontrollers The optimiza-
tion of the energy extraction is accomplished by using micro-
controllers: a control system to the output of the PV solar
panels, known as Maximum Power Point Tracker, and an
Electronic Regulator for the wind turbines. Battery bank,
along with a charge controller to prevent over charging, is
used for the electric energy storage. An inverter is required
to convert energy from DC to AC and supply it to the load.
Due to the recent developments in the field PE, nowadays
wind-solar hybrid systems are becoming more and more
economical and efficient. Hence are very popular, especially
at the places where grid supply is not available, e.g. remote
and inaccessible places. Also, large size wind-solar hybrid
systems are used for grid connections.
4 CONCLUSIONS
This paper illustrated and highlighted the role of PE in
the research and development of renewable energy systems.
The PE plays crucial role of conversion and control electrical
power. Therefore, PE based power converters are also widely
used in renewable energy systems. This papers dealt only
with the wind and solar-PV systems as they are the most
promising renewable energy sources for generation of elec-
tricity. To illustrate and highlight the role of PE in research
and development of renewable energy systems using wind
and Solar-PV, two cases of each type are presented in this
paper. Based on which, it can be concluded that PE plays
vital role in the research and development of renewable
energy systems, especially, wind and solar-PV systems.
Acknowledgments
This work was performed at the Department of Electrical
Engineering, Government College of Engineering, Auranga-
bad (India). Author gratefully acknowledges the kind per-
mission, advices and contributions of Prof. Dr. W. Z. Gand-
hare (Principal) and Prof. Ms. Archana Thosar (Assistant
Professor and Head of the Electrical Engineering De-
partment).
729
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