Wind energy is becoming more important in recent years due to its contribution to the independence of power generation industry from traditional fossil energy resources and availability of continuous harvest-able potential on earth approximately around 106MW. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of grid interfaced wind power generation systems. This is intended to provide a wide spectrum on the status of wind profile, wind potential estimation, configuration/design of wind energy conversion systems, wind generators, power converter topologies used for grid integration of wind power, energy storage systems for wind power applications, power smoothing methods, HVDC links used for wind integration, international grid codes and maximum power point tracking methods to the researchers, designers, manufacturers, and engineers working on the grid interfaced wind power generation. More than 200 research publications on the topic of grid interfaced wind power generation systems have been critically examined, classified and listed for quick reference. This review is ready-reckoner of essential topics for grid integration of wind energy and available technologies in this field. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.