Maximum Power Point Tracking Based Optimal Control Wind Energy Conversion System

Problem of control associated wind energy conversion systems using horizontal-axis fixed-pitch variable-speed low-power, working in the partial load region, consisting in the energy conversion maximization, is approached here under the assumption that the wind turbine model and its parameters are poorly known. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) by using an approach derived from the optimum seeking methods category, is the proposed control solution aims at driving the average position of the operating point near to optimality. The reference of the rotational speed control loop is adjusted such that the turbine operates around maximum power for the current wind speed value. In order to establish whether this reference must be either increased or decreased, it is necessary to estimate the current position of the operating point in relation to the maximum of Pwt(Wl) curve. Numerical simulations are used for preliminary checking the control law based on this estimation.