Mobile QR Code QR CODE : The Korean Institute of Power Electronics
Title Comparison of Efficiency for Voltage Source and Current Source Based Converters in 5MW PMSG Wind Turbine Systems
Authors Tahyun Kang ; Taewon Kang ; Beomseok Chae ; Kihyun Lee ; Yongsug Suh
DOI 10.6113/TKPE/2015.20.5.410
Page pp.410-420
ISSN 1229-2214
Keywords Voltage source converter; Current source converter; Junction temperature; Wind turbine systems
Abstract This paper provides a comparison of power converter loss and thermal description for voltage source and current source type 5 MW-class medium-voltage topologies of wind turbines. Neutral-point clamped three-level converter is adopted for a voltage source type topology, whereas a two-level converter is employed for current source type topology, considering the popularity in the industry. To match the required voltage level of 4160 V with the same switching device of IGCT as in the voltage source converter, two active switches are connected in series for the case of current source converter. Transient thermal modeling of a four-layer Foster network for heat transfer is done to better estimate the transient junction and case temperature of power semiconductors during various operating conditions in wind turbines. The loss analysis is confirmed through PLECS simulations. Comparison result shows that the VSC-based wind turbine system has higher efficiency than the CSC under the rated operating conditions.