Chapter 6 - Recent maximum power point tracking methods for wind energy conversion system

Abstract

The wind power system operation at its optimal power point is a major challenge especially under the wind speed uncertainty. As a result, an efficient maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller is essential to extract the maximum possible power from a wind energy conversion system (WECS). Therefore this chapter presents a comprehensive review of MPPT methods which are employed in WECSs. The methods are compared, according to the parameters such as complexity, sensors use, convergence speed, memory necessity, and so on. MPPT methods are categorized into four basic categories: indirect and direct power control, hybrid and smart methods. Additionally, overall view on optimization algorithms which are used for MPPT controller in WECSs is introduced. Furthermore, in comparative study, optimal performance for wind turbine doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) based on optimization algorithms is demonstrated. The goal of case study is to obtain the optimum values of injected rotor voltage magnitude and angle of DFIG for maximum power extraction at different wind speeds. Two scenarios are introduced for MPPT: the first is the MPPT with unity stator power factor, while the second is the MPPT with the minimum losses. Two well-known optimization algorithms, particle swarm optimizer and water cycle algorithm, are used for cropping the optimal rotor voltages of DFIG for achieving the goals of two scenarios.