Maximum Power Point Tracking of a Variable Speed Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator Based Wind Energy Conversion System

Abstract

Wind turbines produce maximum power at the optimal tip-speed ratio. Fixed speed wind turbines are inefficient because the turbine blades rotate at a specific mechanical speed irrespective of the prevailing wind speed. The system is therefore, not able to extract the maximum possible amount of power. In this work, a maximum power point tracking scheme for a variable-speed permanent magnet synchronous generator based wind energy conversion system is implemented in Matlab/Simulink. The control scheme is developed using the constant torque angle control method so that the extracted power follows the trajectory of the power-rotor speed characteristics curve of the turbine. Also a pitch angle control scheme is implemented to limit power extracted at wind speeds above rated.

Keywords: Maximum power point tracking (MPPT), permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG), constant torque angle control (CTAC)