Novel Runner-Root Algorithm based Maximum Power Point Tracking Approach for Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Generator Direct-Driven Wind Energy Conversion Systems

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel application of a runner-root (RR) algorithm for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of a wind energy conversion system (WECS) direct-driven by a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). The WECS is required to operate at the MPP under varying wind conditions. The RR algorithm is the meta-heuristic algorithm, inspired by the function of runners and roots of some plants in nature. The plants are propagated through runners. They look for water resources and minerals by developing runners and roots. The RR algorithm is proposed to define maximum power points (MPP) corresponding to the optimal output voltage of the DC/DC boost converter of the PMSG-based WECS. The numerical results show that the RR algorithm based MPPT approach efficiently defines and tracks the MPPs of the PMSG-based WECS. A comparison with the hill-climb search (HCS) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms demonstrates the superiority of the RR algorithm and confirms its potential in the MPPT strategy of the PMSG-based WECS.