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Introduction
Over the last 20 years, the cost of electricity
from utility-scale wind systems has dropped significantly. In
Norway there is a huge potential for wind power and the
government has set an ambitious goal of increasing its wind
power output to near 1200 MW by 2010 (around 10% of current
production). Now, state-of-the-art wind power plants can
generate electricity at a price that is becoming competitive
with conventional energy sources. The main challenge is to make
the new wind turbines compete head to head on a cost of energy
basis with conventional energy sources.
Weight reduction is one main challenge to reduce
the cost of turbines per unit capacity.
For this reason permanent magnet generator with
inherent lightweight high power density is being extensively
investigated and prototypes built by major wind turbine
developers.
The different types of generation systems for
wind have a number of technical differences including voltage
stability, power factor, frequency response, inertia control and
fault ride through characteristics. In this regard, another
major challenge is introduced by the newly emerged grid codes
which with its tough demands regarding interconnection during
short circuits will influence the choice of generator and
interface technology. These new grid codes are posing new
challenges for the interface and control of the wind turbine
systems. As a result the trend is to shift to control systems
from inward-looking protection and power optimization to
outward-looking grid code compatibility to allow large scale
integration.
In this new scenario, research in wind turbine
systems must combine the expertise in power system, electrical
machines and power electronics; and operate extensively with the
industry and academy both nationally and internationally to
challenge the important technical issues.
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