A review on wind turbine transformers

Abstract

Wind energy is one of the fastest growing renewable energy system. The main components required for wind power generation is turbine, gearbox, generator, step up transformer, nacelle and tower. The wind turbine transformers act as a link between wind turbines and distribution grid. It steps up the low output voltage from the generator to higher distribution voltage level. However wind turbine transformers are considered to be one of the sensitive and weak component in a wind farm. The role of wind turbine transformers are usually done by conventional off-shell transformers, but the intermittency of wind power imposes some demanding specifications. The variable output due to variable speed of wind is identified as one of the widespread failure of transformers. Wind turbine transformers are faced with various electrical, mechanical and corrosion related problems. This highlights the fact that conventional distribution transformers cannot act as wind turbine transformers always; its design has to be modified according to the generated output and other external factors. This paper reviews about the role of wind turbine transformer, its failures, and the required design modifications.