A variable speed wind turbine having a passive grid side rectifier using scalar
power control and dependent pitch control is disclosed. The variable speed turbine
may include an electrical generator to provide power for a power grid and a power
conversion system coupled to the electrical generator. The power conversion system
may include at least one passive grid side rectifier. The power conversion system
may provide power to the electrical generator using the passive grid side rectifier.
The variable speed wind turbine may also use scalar power control to provide more
precise control of electrical quantities on the power grid. The variable speed
wind turbine may further use dependent pitch control to improve responsiveness
of the wind turbine.