Comprehensive Guide to Power Converter Topologies for Sustainable Wind Energy System

As demand for sustainable energy continues to grow, wind energy especially provided by permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSG) connected to wind turbines, has become an important research area. This article provides a comprehensive review of various converter topologies used in PMSG-based wind turbines. The transition from asynchronous to synchronous generators reflects the industry's response to the evolving landscape of energy requirements. The review explores the advantages and disadvantages associated with different power converter topologies. Among these, the "back-to-back" converter emerges as a common and favored topology due to its superior performance over Doubly Fed Induction Generators (DFIGs). The study delves into the intricate details of these converter topologies, shedding light on their operating intricacies and the impact on overall wind energy conversion efficiency. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates recent developments and outcomes in power conversion topologies, including resonant converters, matrix converters, and multilevel converters. Tests have shown that the continuously clamped three-phase neutral diode topology (3L NPC-BTB) is superior to the BTB 2L-VSC parallel two-phase converter with DC coupling and multi-level converters. The proposed converter topology improves energy extraction and provides a gainful solution for generator on the side converters of high-power, variable speed PMSG wind turbines. This review provides a comprehensive guide to the power converter topologies of PMSG in wind turbines and contributes to ongoing discussions on advancing wind energy technology. Additionally, this review article is also useful for researchers, engineers, and professionals interested in renewable energy systems.