A fast maximum power extraction algorithm for wind energy systems

With the advancements in the variable speed direct drive design and control of wind energy systems, the efficiency and energy capture of these systems is also increasing. As such, many maximum power point tracking methods have been developed and implemented. These MPPT algorithms can be broadly categorized into three types: Tip-Speed control, Power-Signal feedback, and Hill climb search based. However, it is required to develop advanced controls that require minimum sensors and independent of turbine characteristics to extract maximum power from them. As such many hill climb search based algorithms have been proposed over the years but they are suitable for systems whose inertia is negligible. This paper proposes a modified algorithm that takes into account the system inertia and extracts maximum power faster than the earlier methods while requiring no knowledge of the system parameters. The paper presents the proposed maximum power point tracking algorithm along with simulation results.