ECONOMIC OPTIMIZATION OF A WIND POWER-PLANT FOR ISOLATED LOCATIONS

This paper presents a model of a wind power plant for isolated locatio ns composed of a vertical axis wind turbine connected to a self-excite d induction generator operating at constant voltage and frequency; a b ack-up diesel generator and a battery system are moreover included in the system. Constant voltage and frequency are obtained only by contro lling the generator appropriately. The control system is supposed to b e optimised so that the system operates at the highest efficiency. In order to improve the total efficiency even further, a gear-box to vary the gear transmission ratio between the turbine and the generator has been considered. A ''Monte Carlo'' type simulation has been used to a nalyse the operation of that system over a one year period. The model is based on a probability density function of the wind speed derived b y statistical data concerning a given location and on the probabilisti c curve of the load required by an isolated location. The cost per kW h for different dimensions of the main components has been evaluated a nd the optimum configuration has been identified. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd.