MPPT for Small Wind Turbines: Zero-Oscillation Sensorless Strategy

To increase the adoption of micro- and pico-grid systems, easy to use and commercially viable distributed generation solutions are required. The proliferation of distributed generation systems has accelerated the research and implementation of small wind turbines (SWTs) as viable renewable energy solutions. Sophisticated Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms, used for large wind turbine installations, are not implemented with SWTs as they require turbine parameterization and costly sensors such as anemometers. Due to financial considerations, traditional SWTs implement either no MPPT or very simple algorithms such an Incremental Conductance (InCond) or Perturb and Observe (P&O). In this work, a novel and computationally efficient SWT MPPT algorithm, derived from the InCond method, is proposed. A control-oriented model of the SWT system is also presented which facilitates fast simulations using conventional power electronics software. The proposed MPPT algorithm offers 3 key advantages: 1) elimination of algorithm confusion due to change in wind velocity, 2) fast and accurate tracking of the maximum power point (MPP) and 3) improved steady state efficiency. The behavior of the proposed algorithm is presented and corroborated in simulations and experimental validation, using a custom-built Turbine Emulation Platform (TEP), is also included.