Deployment of onshore wind turbine generator topologies: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract

At the end of 2018 the total global installed wind turbine capacity stood at approximately 592 GW; 96% of these installations are located onshore. Yet, an additional 267 GW of onshore capacity is projected to be installed by the end of 2023. This is envisaged to open up more opportunities in the development of onshore wind turbine generator (WTG). Therefore, this survey article brings together variable-speed onshore WTG topologies, alongside their applicable drivetrains and converter technologies. Spotlight is on their merits and respective limitations which create opportunities and challenges in their deployments in commercial installations. It also evaluates and discusses a new development in the most widely deployed onshore WTG topology and concludes by identifying the single biggest development driver. [Correction added on 22 January 2020, after first online publication: The first sentence of the Summary heading has been corrected and updated online.]