A direct approach to achieving maximum power conversion in wind power generation systems

Abstract

A new approach is proposed to achieve maximum wind power conversion by directly controlling wind turbine to operate along the maximum power coefficient curve (PCC). The control design is based on the so called "power coefficient dynamics". It turns out that such dynamics are highly nonlinear and strongly coupled with uncertainties due to the involvement of both rotor dynamics and actuation (pitch) dynamics. Two set of control algorithms based on smooth variable structure control and memory-based control respectively are developed to ensure high precision PCC tracking, leading to high efficient power conversion. The effectiveness of the developed control algorithms are also verified via simulation. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.