An Control MPPT Algorithm for Wind Energy Conversion System

Abstract

This paper proposes a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm for wind energy conversion systems. The proposed algorithm utilizes the dc current as the disturbing variable. The algorithm detects sudden wind speed changes indirectly through the dc-link voltage slope. The voltage slope is additionally used to enhance the tracking speed of the algorithm and to avert the generator from stalling under rapid wind speed slowdown conditions. The proposed method uses two modes of operation: A perturb and observe (P&O) mode with adaptive step size under slow wind speed fluctuation conditions, and a prediction mode employed under expeditious wind speed change conditions. The dc-link capacitor voltage slope reflects the expedition information of the generator, which is then used to prognosticate the next step size and direction of the current command. The proposed algorithm shows enhanced stability and expeditious tracking capability under both high and low rate of change wind speed conditions.