Magnet Synchronous Generator-based Wind Turbine Research Articles

Nonlinear Quadratic Regulator Design With a Hybrid Switching Scheme for Wind Turbine Generators

This article proposes a new control scheme with a nonlinear quadratic regulator (NQR) associated with a hybrid switching stage for permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbines (WTs). The proposed method shows a new approach combining a nonlinear optimal control method with a hybrid switching stage for WT generations (WTGs). As the WTG is a nonlinear system, NQR control design is directly employed to deal with the nonlinearity while a hybrid switching scheme can deal with constrained control inputs as discrete nonlinear characteristics of switch-mode power converters. A polynomial-based dynamic model is derived for the new NQR design. Unlike the previous state-dependent Riccatti equation (SDRE) technique where the solution of the nonlinear optimal controller is approximated, this technique finds the exact online solution of SDRE with nonlinear feedback gains flexibly depending on the tracking error. Then, the optimal control laws are implemented via a hybrid switching stage ensuring a smooth current regulation under a reduced switching frequency while avoiding any complicated modulator or finite state search. The proposed control design is investigated via comparative studies with linear quadratic regulator (LQR), direct switching, and space-vector pulse-width-modulation stages (SV-PWMs) implemented in both platforms of MATLAB/Simulink and real-time OPAL-RT. Comparative results exhibit flexible optimal performances via online hyper-parameter tuning to reduce the speed tracking error and low current ripples under a reduced switching frequency.

Stable Maximum Power Extraction and DC Link Voltage Regulation for PMVG-Based WECS

This study discusses the power maximization and dc-link voltage regulation problems of a permanent magnet vernier generator (PMVG)-based wind energy conversion system. To do this, first, the dynamical model of PMVG-based wind turbine is developed and presented. Then, the overall control structure is configured utilizing a back-to-back converter with a machine-side converter (MSC) and a grid-side converter (GSC). At this time, the sliding-mode control scheme with the modified enhanced exponential reaching law is proposed for both MSC and GSC control to achieve maximum power extraction and stable dc link voltage, respectively. Furthermore, the sliding manifold’s stability condition is derived using the Lyapunov function, which guarantees a better transient performance and tracking accuracy. Finally, the proposed control scheme’s superiority and efficiency are demonstrated using theoretical simulations on 5 kW PMVG-based and 1.5 MW permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbine systems and empirical findings derived from a grid-connected 5 kW PMVG-based wind turbine in the experimental setup.

Frequency Trajectory Planning-based Frequency Regulation Strategy for Wind Turbines Equipped with Energy Storage System

The increase in wind power penetration has weakened the equivalent inertia of the power system, posing a significant challenge to frequency stability. In this paper, a frequency trajectory planning (FTP)-based frequency regulation (FR) strategy is proposed for permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbines equipped with an energy storage system (ESS) on the DC link. The core idea is that the frequency index provided by the grid code is used to plan a safe frequency trajectory when the system frequency fluctuates. The FR power provided by the ESS is controlled by tracking the planned frequency trajectory to compensate for the unbalanced power in the system, provide inertia support, and ensure the frequency stability of the power grid. The proposed strategy can suppress the frequency fluctuation and optimize the FR power of the ESS. It also effectively circumvents the complex parameter design process of virtual inertia control. The simulation model is established in Matlab/Simulink to verify the effectiveness of the control strategy.

An improved control method of fault ride-through for DPMWT-based wind farm considering coupling effect of HVDC transmission system

With the continuous increase of wind power penetration, a large number of wind farm have been constructed. The large-scale wind farm is usually transmitted through high voltage direct current(HVDC) transmission system. The reactive power output on the grid-side converter is utilized to support grid voltage, which is a common method of fault ride-through for direct-drive permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbine (DPMWT). The power control capability of DPMWT-based wind farm(DPMWF) is affected by safety constraints and operating characteristics of the external system. However, the control strategy of DPMWF cannot yet take into account the coupling effect of HVDC and may be difficult to meet the voltage recovery requirements of the grid during the grid fault. Even the DPMWT may oscillate due to the over-threshold of the control setting value. Therefore, a power coupling model between DPMWF and rectifier station of HVDC transmission system is established, and an evaluation method for the power controllability of DPMWF under fault considering the coupling effect of HVDC transmission system is proposed. A calculation method of maximum reference value of reactive power control of DPMWF based on model predictive control is proposed taking into account the converter constraints of DPMWF and the influence of the external system. An improved control method of fault ride-through is further proposed, which takes into account the coupling effect of HVDC transmission system. The simulation shows that the proposed method can improve the voltage recovery characteristics under the grid fault, effectively guarantee the fault ride-through of DPMWF.

Control of wide-speed-range operation for a permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbine generator at high wind speeds

Wind turbine generators (WTGs) contain plenty of inertia in their rotating masses, which has great potential for exploitation. Traditionally, WTGs are operated with the rated rotational speed at high wind speeds, which cannot accelerate further to absorb kinetic energy (KE). In this paper, a control method achieving a wide-speed-range operation for a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)-based WTG at high wind speeds is proposed. The proposed method can permit the WTG to operate steadily at any desired speed over an allowable range, rather than fixed to the rated speed. Thus, the rotating masses can not only decelerate to release substantial KE as previous works, but also accelerate to absorb considerable KE, which acts as a flexible virtual flywheel energy storage system (VFESS). The equivalent capacity of the VFESS is analyzed in theory, based on the analysis for feasible operation range of rotational speed at high wind speeds. The performance of the proposed control method is verified considering normal operation, extra active power demand and low voltage ride through scenarios, based on EMTP-RV generated data. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can make a WTG operate steadily at any preset speed over a wide range and generate the rated power at high wind speeds. The VFESS can either absorb or release considerable energy without additional cost. In addition, the discussions on the potential prospect of KE in WTGs and the transition ways of rotational speed at high wind speeds are also investigated.

Neural network adaptive backstepping control via uncertainty compensation for PMSG-based variable-speed wind turbine: Controller design and stability analysis

This paper proposes a design scheme along with stability analysis of a new adaptive backstepping controller designed for permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbine, by using artificial neural network-based uncertainty compensation. The idea is to control the rotor speed and the mechanical power generated under internal and external nonlinear parametric uncertainties. An uncertain model of permanent magnet synchronous generator is designed. Then, two artificial neural network compensators are built to compensate such uncertainties in the current loops. The stability of the closed-loop system is studied according to the Lyapunov function. Simulations of the dynamic model are performed under both variable step and random wind speeds by using the DEV-C++ software, and the results are plotted with MATLAB. Compared to the classical direct torque control technique, the obtained results show the robustness of the proposed controller despite the presence of different uncertainties.

Stabilization of permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbine system via fuzzy-based sampled-data control approach

This study concerns the stabilization analysis for nonlinear permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)-based wind turbine system under fuzzy-based memory sampled-data (FBMSD) control scheme. In this regard, the Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy theory is utilized in the conversion of the proposed nonlinear model into linear-sub models and the corresponding FBMSD controller is designed. The paper introduces a suitable Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional that contains the information about the length of the sampling interval and a constant transmission delay. In order to stabilize the proposed system, sufficient conditions are derived in the form of linear matrix inequalities. As a test benchmark, the derived T-S fuzzy PMSG model is evaluated with a particular data set values and then validated with derived conditions. Besides that, the dynamical nature of system variables with respect to a blade pitch angle of the wind turbine system also discusses along with d-q axes inductance via numerical simulations. Finally, a comparison of derived conditions with the existing works is discussed to prove the less conservatism of the proposed method.

Real-time dc-link voltage control of 5-kW PMSG-based wind turbine generator through a test-rig

In this work unlike the usual grid side converter, the machine side converter is considered to control the dc-link voltage of a permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbine generator. For this purpose, a discrete real-time laboratory test-rig is prepared for real-time application of the system. In the real-time test-rig, 5-kVA permanent magnet synchronous servo motor is driven by Unidrive SP variable frequency drive to emulate a standalone wind energy conversion system; GUASCH converter as a machine side converter and for implementing the designed PI controllers using pole placement technique combined with a symmetrical optimum criterion for real-time control of the dc-link voltage transient changes, Texas instrument TMS320F28069 digital signal processor discrete real-time microcontroller control card in a GUASCH board are used. Moreover, a simulation model of the system is prepared in MATLAB Simulink user-defined function blocks considering the dynamic mathematical equations of every part in the system. Achieved simulation and real-time test-rig results show that the designed dc-link voltage control of the system works properly at different transient load changes connected to the standalone WTG and dc voltage reference value changes. Moreover, the simulation results are properly validated by the real-time test-rig results and the PI controller designed using pole placement technique combined with a symmetrical optimum criterion method was ideal.

A modified sliding mode controller for a permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbine system

To enhance the control and stability of the wind energy conversion system (WECS) based on direct drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG), this artefact presents a modified sliding mode control approach. A detailed time domain dynamic model of PMSG-based WECS integrated to infinite bus is also presented in terms of d-q reference frame. In order to compensate the general limitations with regard to various control strategies, a proportional integral (PI) type sliding surface-based fast sliding mode control is executed for the above. A current control strategy has been suggested for real and reactive power control keeping voltage under the desired limit. To justify the superior performance of the proposed controller in terms of robustness, reliability and accuracy compared to PI controller, the control strategy is validated through MATLAB simulation, when the system is subjected to diverse operating conditions like wind speed and system parameter variations.

A modified sliding mode controller for a permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbine system

To enhance the control and stability of the wind energy conversion system (WECS) based on direct drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG), this artefact presents a modified sliding mode control approach. A detailed time domain dynamic model of PMSG-based WECS integrated to infinite bus is also presented in terms of d-q reference frame. In order to compensate the general limitations with regard to various control strategies, a proportional integral (PI) type sliding surface-based fast sliding mode control is executed for the above. A current control strategy has been suggested for real and reactive power control keeping voltage under the desired limit. To justify the superior performance of the proposed controller in terms of robustness, reliability and accuracy compared to PI controller, the control strategy is validated through MATLAB simulation, when the system is subjected to diverse operating conditions like wind speed and system parameter variations.

New Adaptive Control Strategy for a Wind Turbine Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG)

Wind energy conversion systems have become a key technology to harvest wind energy worldwide. In permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbine systems, the rotor position is needed for variable speed control and it uses an encoder or a speed sensor. However, these sensors lead to some obstacles, such as additional weight and cost, increased noise, complexity and reliability issues. For these reasons, the development of new sensorless control methods has become critically important for wind turbine generators. This paper aims to develop a new sensorless and adaptive control method for a surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous generator. The proposed method includes a new model reference adaptive system, which is used to estimate the rotor position and speed as an observer. Adaptive control is implemented in the pulse-width modulated current source converter. In the conventional model reference adaptive system, the proportional-integral controller is used in the adaptation mechanism. Moreover, the proportional-integral controller is generally tuned by the trial and error method, which is tedious and inaccurate. In contrast, the proposed method is based on model predictive control which eliminates the use of speed and position sensors and also improves the performance of model reference adaptive control systems. In this paper, the proposed predictive controller is modelled in MATLAB/SIMULINK and validated experimentally on a 6-kW wind turbine generator. Test results prove the effectiveness of the control strategy in terms of energy efficiency and dynamical adaptation to the wind turbine operational conditions. The experimental results also show that the control method has good dynamic response to parameter variations and external disturbances. Therefore, the developed technique will help increase the uptake of permanent magnet synchronous generators and model predictive control methods in the wind power industry.

Assessment of proposed maximum power point tracking–unity power factor algorithms for optimum operation permanent magnet synchronous generator–based wind turbine

It is very important to select proper maximum power point tracking algorithm in order to achieve best performance and low cost for wind turbine–generator combination. A permanent magnet synchronous generator steady-state unity power factor analytical model based on a current source—equivalent circuit is provided. Validation of the identified load angle effect in current source as compared with that of the commonly used voltage source permanent magnet synchronous generator is presented. Then three new maximum power point tracking–load angle control algorithms based on current source model are presented. They all apply magnitude and frequency control techniques for Digital Signal Processor control systems. The first one presents maximum power point tracking–unity power factor applying constrained load angle control algorithm. The merits of the next two developed schemes are quickly and precisely tracking the maximum power output of the wind turbine; thus, the second and third algorithms are then characterized with linear control systems. The linearity of the second scenario is between load angle and reference speed while the third one has a load angle–torque linear relationship which shows its optimality. Finally, the controlled characteristics and implementation for the optimum case are presented for both stationary and synchronous reference frames (for vector control purposes). Simulation modeling for optimum case is provided and its results match well with the proposed predictive control algorithm.

Optimal torque maximum power point technique for wind turbine: Proportional–integral controller tuning based on particle swarm optimization

This article presents the problem of the energy system optimization for wind generators. The goal of this work is to maximize power extraction for a permanent magnet synchronous generator–based wind turbine with maximum power point technique. This goal is achieved using a proportional–integral controller for optimal torque tuning with the particle swarm optimization algorithm. In order to indicate the effectiveness and superiority of the particle swarm optimization algorithm–based proposal, a comparison with the genetic algorithm and the artificial bee colony algorithm is studied. The system is modeled and tested under MATLAB/Simulink environment. Simulation results validate the advantages of the designed particle swarm optimization–tuned proportional–integral controller compared to P&O and the proportional–integral controller manually in terms of performance index.

Assessment and control of a three-phase grid connected wind turbine

In this article, we process the modeling and control of a global chain of the wind energy conversion system based on a permanent magnet synchronous generator, and the injection of the produced energy into electrical grid. The proposed control technique of the wind energy system is based on a sliding mode control which is designed for a variable speed wind turbine. Sliding mode control is assessed on a wind turbine to supply three phases grid. The aim in this work is to operate over all the wind conversion system at its maximum power point. Initially, three controls have been designed by sliding mode control: the first is for electromagnetic torque of the used permanent magnet synchronous generator, the second is for the machine side converter, and the last is for the grid side converter. Thereafter, another proportional integral controller has been designed for the phase looked loop. Finally, the permanent magnet synchronous generator–based wind turbine and the grid are modeled, and proposed controls are applied, various simulations results by MATLAB/SIMULINK environment are presented and discussed.

Adaptive Pitch Control of Variable-Pitch PMSG Based Wind Turbine

This paper presents an adaptive pitch-angle control approach for a permanent magnet-synchronous generator-based wind turbine (PMSG-WT) connecting with a power grid to limit extracted power above the rated wind speed. In the proposed control approach, a designed perturbation observer is employed for estimating and compensating unknown parameter uncertainties, system nonlinearities, and unknown disturbances. The proposed control approach does not require full state measurements or the accurate system model. Simulation tests verify the effectiveness of the proposed control approach. The simulation results demonstrate that compared with the feedback linearizing controller, conventional vector controller with proportional-integral (PI) loops, and PI controller with gain scheduling, the proposed control approach can always maintain the extracted wind power around rated power, and has higher performance and robustness against disturbance and parameter uncertainties.

An Efficient Wind Speed Computation Method Using Sliding Mode Observers in Wind Energy Conversion System Control Applications

Point wind velocity measurement given by nacelle-top mounted sensor may not be same as effective wind velocity, which strikes the wind turbine rotor blades. This article proposes a new method for the computation of effective wind velocity by inverting the turbine's aerodynamic model after estimating the turbine torque and its rotor speed. Nonlinear control theory-based sliding mode observers are used to estimate the wind turbine generator induced speed emfs, rotor speed, and aerodynamic torque imparted to generator shaft. While satisfying the Lyapunov inequality condition, design aspects of sliding mode observers are discussed in detail. The performance of the proposed wind velocity estimation method is evaluated by using permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbine emulator in laboratory. Simulation and experimental studies confirm that the estimated wind velocity under different wind profile conditions is accurate and can be used in various control algorithms in wind energy conversion systems.

Monitoring and control of a permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbine applied to battery charging

ABSTRACT The battery charging control within wind turbine applications is the most important challenge in standalone exploitation mode because of the random nature of wind energy and irregular use of electricity. Within this problematic, this paper deals with monitoring and control of a permanent magnet synchronous generator voltage for battery charging. In the proposed topology, the output direct drive PMSG is linked to the battery through a vector-controlled pulse modulated (PWM) rectifier. Most wind energy conversion systems are based on precise knowledge of the wind speed, which makes the adjustment of the charge voltage relatively complicated, and degrades the powers captured with erroneous measurements of this wind speed. In this context, all the efforts of this work are meant to simplify and improve the dynamic performance of the system. The technique used in this work is devoid of wind measurement. By neglecting different losses, the approach adopted leads us to the reference electromagnetic torque, assuming that the wind speed and consequently the rotational speed of the turbine vary slowly in steady state. Using the load current and voltage measures, the proposed controllers calculate permanently the power reference that corresponds to the fixed battery voltage. A vector control approach is adopted to achieve decoupled power control on the supply side power converter by generating the direct and quadrature control voltages. These voltages are necessary to generate the corresponding duty cycles of the PWM active switching devices. Hence, the PWM rectifier maintains the battery voltage at a fixed value by balancing both the rectifier output current and the load input current. To activate the vector control, two dynamic controllers are designed, simulated, and compared. The first controller is based on simple PI regulators. Meanwhile, the second one, which is a sliding mode technique, is applied to control the battery voltage. In order to assess the effectiveness of the used techniques, simulation models have been subjected to critical conditions of changing in speed and load. Simulation results revealed a poor accuracy of the first technique during transients and its close correlation under load disturbance. Whereas the sliding mode controller has high precision and strong robustness in steady state and during transient phases. The system simulation is performed using MATLAB/SIMULINK.

Dynamic Aggregation Modeling of Grid-Connected Inverters Using Hamilton's-Action-Based Coherent Equivalence

The high penetration of renewable energy generation (REG) systems influences the dynamics of power systems. Accurate transient simulations and dynamic models are indispensable for the research on the dynamic behavior of REG systems. A large-scale REG system consisting of numerous grid-connected inverters consumes a large amount of computation time, so a dynamic aggregated model is needed for efficient simulation. The aggregated model established by coherent equivalence fits the detailed model well, and thus it is widely used in the aggregation of large-scale dynamic systems. Presently, the key challenge of the application of the coherent-equivalence method is to identify inverters that have similar dynamic characteristics. The Hamilton principle expressed by Hamilton's action has a simple form and indicates the comprehensive dynamic characteristics of inverters. Thus, this paper proposes a coherent-equivalence method of inverters based on Hamilton's action. The proposed method is applied to a wind farm of 16 permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbines for demonstration. Compared with the existing equivalence method without considering coherency, the proposed method shows advantages in effectiveness and accuracy.

Optimal reactive power dispatch of permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind farm considering levelised production cost minimisation

As wind power penetration increases, large wind farms (WFs) need to provide reactive power according to modern grid codes. Permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbines (WTs) can generate reactive power, by assigning the appropriate reactive power to each WT to meet the reactive power requirements of the grid. This is a more economical method than setting up additional reactive power compensation equipment. This study proposes an optimal reactive power dispatch strategy for minimising a levelised production cost, and is implemented in two ways: minimising the power loss of a WF, and maximising the lifetime of WTs. The reactive power references of each WT are chosen as the optimisation variables, and a particle swarm optimisation algorithm is adopted to solve the optimisation problem. The proposed and traditional reactive power dispatch strategies are demonstrated and compared on a WF with 25 WTs to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Coordinated Control Strategies of PMSG-Based Wind Turbine for Smoothing Power Fluctuations

High penetration of wind energy in the modern power system exposes the need of smoothing the fluctuating output power in an effective and conducive way. In this context, this paper proposes two novel control strategies that utilize the self-capability of permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind turbine to realize power smoothing. The first strategy pursues to offer power smoothing support via simultaneous utilization of dc-link voltage control, rotor speed control, and pitch angle control. The second control strategy seeks to coordinate the three concerned individual control schemes in a hierarchical manner, where the power smoothing tasks are allocated to individual control modules or their combinations dynamically in line with WT's operation status. Both two strategies are able to provide power smoothing support by fully exploiting wind turbine's self-capability, whereas the second strategy has the merits on 1) reducing the activation frequency of pitch angle control, and 2) enhancing wind energy harvesting. Case studies of the proposed control strategies are carried out to compare and verify their effectiveness in achieving power smoothing.