Energy Conversion Strategies for Wind Energy System: Electrical, Mechanical and Material Aspects

Area of Science:

• Renewable Energy Systems
• Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Global electricity generation incorporates approximately 22% from renewable sources.
• Wind energy is a highly abundant renewable resource due to atmospheric air currents.
• The demand for modern wind energy conversion systems (WECS) is increasing as a sustainable energy alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of wind energy conversion systems (WECS).
• To classify WECS, discuss their components, power flow, and control strategies.
• To explore current trends, improvements, and future prospects in WECS technology.

Main Methods:

• Review and classification of existing WECS designs.
• Discussion of mechanical materials and electrical components.
• Analysis of power flow, control strategies, and grid integration.

Main Results:

• Detailed classification and illustration of WECS.
• Discussion on power flow and control mechanisms, including maximum power-point tracking (MPPT).
• Identification of material choices for blades and generators as critical factors.

Conclusions:

• WECS are vital for renewable energy integration, with MPPT controllers enhancing efficiency.
• Material selection and the recycling of composite materials pose significant challenges for the wind power industry's supply chain.