Sliding-mode control of a wind turbine-driven double-fed induction generator under non-ideal grid voltages

Control algorithms for the rotor- and grid-side power converters of a double-fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind turbine under non-ideal grid voltage conditions are proposed, and guidelines for tuning the controller parameters are presented. The control schemes are based on sliding-mode control (SMC) theory. Apart from directly controlling the DFIG´s average active and reactive powers, the proposed methods also fulfil two additional control targets during voltage unbalance and harmonic distortion, that is, the rotor-side converter (RSC) eliminating electromagnetic torque fluctuations and the gridside converter (GSC) compensating for the stator current harmonics to ensure a sinusoidal total current from the overall generating unit. The described control strategies are proved to be robust against parameter deviations and of fast dynamic response. In spite of the discontinuous nature of the standard SMC, constant converter switching frequency is achieved. Besides, the RSC control algorithm does not require a phase-locked loop and, furthermore, there is no need for decomposing the grid voltage and different currents into symmetrical sequences or harmonic components in any of the converters´ control systems. Finally, the excellent performance of the system, as well as its robustness, is verified by means of simulation results under different grid voltage conditions.