Speed controller of wind turbine emulator using variable speed drive based on PI method

Abstract

The wind turbine system as a power plant is growing rapidly in line with the electrical energy needs and limitations of fossil energy as a source of electrical energy. Many research has been carried out to develop wind turbine systems and improve system efficiency. Research on wind turbine systems requires wind turbine emulators to simulate the behaviour of wind turbines against changes in wind speed. In this paper presents a design of speed controller based on PI controller for a Wind Turbine Emulator (WTE) using a Variable Speed Drive (VSD). WTE consists of VSD, microcontroller, 3 phase induction motor, Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) and speed sensor. PMSG speed depends on wind speed. At certain wind speeds, PMSG will rotate at a certain value. WTE will adjust the speed of the induction motor according to a certain wind speed to drive PMSG. Motor and PMSG rotation speed are measured by rotary encoder sensor as speed sensor and feedback for WTE. Proportional-integral method is used to control the speed of a 3 phase induction motor through VSD analogue input. Based on experiment result, PI controller can adjust speed of induction motor so that PMSG will rotate according to a certain wind speed. WTE with PI controller controls the speed of induction motor at settling time 9s to simulate wind speed through PMSG speed controlling.