In order to increase the use of renewable energies in the power system, and more specifically wind energy, the initial cost of equipment must decrease and their efficiency must be increased. This will maximize the revenues of the wind park developers and make wind energy more competitive. The increase in efficiency will also reduce cooling equipment and lower the cost of the system.

As more and more wind energy is integrated in the electric network, the impact in the power system is more important, and the quality of the connection of the wind turbines is one of the main issues in wind energy technology. Power electronics is the technology that will enable the solution to all this questions.

The main goal of this project is the application of advanced power conversion topologies for the improvement of efficiency, power quality and cost reduction of wind turbines. This goal will be achieved by developing a simulation platform of a complete wind energy system, evaluating the behaviour of different advanced power topologies, select the topologies with the best efficiency and power quality for synchronous and/or doubly fed induction generators, and build prototypes of these converters in order to proof the simulation results in real synchronous and doubly fed induction generators.

This is a coordinated project supported by the Science and Education Ministry of Spain in which the UPV/EHU take part as coordinator. The other partners are Polytechnic University of Catalunya and Robotiker Technologic Center.