Current trends in power electronics for wind and solar energy conversion systems

The whole world is focusing on the utilization of renewable energy sources in order to mitigate the world power crisis. Power electronics is being used in a large scale for the renewable energy conversion in a more efficient manner. It has a great impact on controlling as well as interfacing the renewable system with both the grid and standalone applications. Hence more and more emphasis is given on design and control of power converters. In this paper different renewable energy systems (wind, solar) with different aspects of their power conversion have been discussed. Some basic principles of their operations with their recent technology advancements are reviewed. It is the reality that power electronics plays a vital part on interfacing and hence increasing the overall performance.