Simple and Robust MPPT Current Control of a Wound Rotor Synchronous Wind Generator

Lucky Dube, Graham C. Garner, Karen S. Garner and Maarten J. Kamper ()
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Lucky Dube: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
Graham C. Garner: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
Karen S. Garner: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
Maarten J. Kamper: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-21

Abstract: In the search for efficient non-permanent magnet variable-speed wind generator solutions, this paper proposes a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) current-control method for a wound rotor synchronous wind generator. The focus is on direct-drive, medium-speed wind generators. In the proposed method, the currents of the wound rotor synchronous generator (WRSG) are optimally adjusted according to the generator speed to ensure maximum power generation from the wind turbine without needing information on wind speed. The design, modeling, and simulation of the MPPT current controllers are done in Matlab/Simulink with the WRSG in the synchronous reference frame. The controller is put to the test using different wind speed profiles between cut-in and rated speeds. The simulation results indicate that the proposed current control method is simple, effective, and robust, suggesting its practical implementation. To validate the simulation results, experimental work on a 4.2 kW WRSG prototype system is presented to demonstrate the stability and robustness of the MPPT current control method in operating the turbine at or near the maximum power point.

Keywords: current control; maximum power point tracking (MPPT); synchronous wind generator; wound rotor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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