Novel Control System Based in DSPs for 800 kW Wind Power Station.

Abstract

Wind energy conversion is a very mature technology. Its applications are widely accepted all over the world. Consequently, a tendency to erect more wind turbines can be observed. Therefore, wind turbines may gradually start to replace the output of conventional generators in the future, specially during low load situations with much wind. The wind power has a huge potential to supply electrical power without generating pollution. It has the potential to provide many countries with more of one-third of their electricity demand. A novel control system for a variable speed wind turbine generator has been developed in order to improve the wind turbine behaviour, the hardware is based in two digital signals processors (DSPs) in parallel operation, first one is a TMS320VC33, which manages all the signal analysis, control strategies, the protection systems and mechanical behaviour, and second one is a TMS320LF2407, that controls the PC monitoring program communication, the chopper and inverter PWM devices, temperature measures, encoders velocity and the programmable logic controller communication. The conjunction of the variable speed constant-frequency operation with the digital signal processors capacities improves cost and reliability, low Harmonic distortion (THD), stresses reduction in the drive train, turbine efficiency, audible noise minimization, mechanical design, active power production, reactive production or absorption (leading or lagging power factor) and control strategies (PWM, for example).