Doubly Fed Induction Generator Systems for Wind Turbines: A Viable Alternative to Adjust Speed over a Wide Range at Minimal Cost

This article shows that adjustable speed generators for wind turbines are necessary when output power becomes higher than 1 MW. The doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) system presented in this article offers many advantages to reduce cost and has the potential to be built economically at power levels above 1.5 MW, e.g., for off-shore applications. A dynamic model of the DFIG was derived to develop a vector controller to decouple dynamically active and reactive power control. Simulations show excellent response of the DFIG independent of speed. Measurements obtained from 1.5 MW units currently in operation confirm the theoretical results.