Comparative Performance Evaluation of Wind Energy Systems Using Doubly Fed Induction Generator and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator

Wind energy has become a cornerstone of sustainable electricity generation, yet the reliable integration of wind energy conversion systems (WECSs) into modern grids remains challenged by dynamic variations in wind speed and stringent fault ride-through (FRT) requirements. Among the available technologies, the Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) and the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) dominate commercial applications; however, a comprehensive comparative assessment under diverse grid and fault scenarios is still limited. This study addresses this gap by systematically evaluating the performance of DFIG- and PMSG-based WECSs across three operating stages: (i) normal operation at constant speed, (ii) variable wind speed operation, and (iii) grid fault conditions including single-line-to-ground, line-to-line, and three-phase faults. To enhance fault resilience, a DC-link Braking Chopper is integrated into both systems, ensuring a fair evaluation of transient stability and compliance with low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) requirements. The analysis, performed using MATLAB/Simulink, focuses on active and reactive power, rotor speed, pitch angle, and DC-link voltage dynamics. The results reveal that PMSG exhibits smoother transient responses and lower overshoot compared to DFIG. Under fault conditions, the DC-link Braking Chopper effectively suppresses voltage spikes in both systems, with DFIG achieving faster reactive power recovery in line with grid code requirements, while PMSG ensures more stable rotor dynamics with lower oscillations. The findings highlight the complementary strengths of both technologies and provide useful insights for selecting appropriate WECS configurations to improve grid integration and fault ride-through capability.