Maximum Power Point Tracking Control for Small Hydroelectric Generation

We developed a power converter for small hydroelectric generation. It is an AC/DC/AC conversion system with an inverter for permanent magnetic generator control and an inverter for system interconnection contained in one package. Sensorless PM rotating machine speed control with MPPT was applied to generator control. For MPPT, A similar generator control system for solar power generation was applied and stability control was added while accounting for the fact that hydroelectric generation is subject to higher fluctuation in the power generation amount than solar power generation. In addition, a protective function was added to prevent the mechanical system from entering a critical speed range such as overspeed or mechanical resonance speed.