Small Wind Power Plants Research Articles

Economics of Small Wind Power Plants in Urban Settings: An Empirical Investigation for Germany

In this paper we investigate the location-specific attractiveness of small wind turbines (SWT) for private households. In order to assess the economic viability of an investment in SWT, we analyze a set of scenarios that incorporate different types of SWT, various storage system options, support schemes, and specific urban surroundings for the case of Germany. As urban structures substantially influence local wind speeds, and hence the potential energy yield of a turbine, the potential location of the SWT in the urban area is crucial for the economic feasibility. We find that SWT today are only profitable under very favorable conditions, the most important parameters being prevailing wind speeds and the location’s degree of urbanization. In most cases, the coupling of the SWT to a storage system is crucial for cost-effectiveness. A feed-in tariff system specifically adapted to the SWT technology is found to be an important driver of diffusion. Further research needs are identified in the field of long-term performance and yield projections for SWT. Based on the findings from our study, significant SWT diffusion can be expected, if at all, only in coastal suburban and rural areas.

Autonomous SEIG in a small wind power plant with voltage and frequency control

This paper deals with the application of an autonomous Self-Excited Induction Generator (SEIG) in a small wind power conversion system (WPCS). Such conversion system has capability to supply power demand of the loads with constant voltage and frequency, for which a power managing method is proposed. Voltage Sourced Converter (VSC) along with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is used to handle power flow between the SEIG and loads. The proposed control scheme, using a single voltage closed-loop control, is found to be suitable to regulate both voltage and frequency. The WPCS is modelled in MATLAB/Simulink and Power System Block-set (PSB). Simulation results show that Voltage Frequency Controller (VFC) has ability to keep the voltage and frequency constant in spite of perturbations.