Aerodynamic Frequency Domain Model for Evaluating Small Wind Turbines

In this paper, the mathematical model in the frequency domain of a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) along with a front-end three-phase diode rectifier coupled to a small wind turbine (SWT) is presented. Utilizing the model of an entire wind energy conversion system (WECS) structure, results of simulations and experimental work was obtained. The frequency domain model was implemented in a computer simulation platform (PLECS
^®
), while the experimental results are based on the mechanical and the electrical parameters of a small-scale wind power electricity generation training system of a FESTO wind turbine learning system. Extensive simulations were carried out with the proposed frequency domain model and were compared with experimental results showing the feasibility to improve efficiency and extraction capability of the maximum power point of the SWT. The polynomial model of the power coefficient function, C
_p
, used to express the accurate aerodynamic efficiency of the SWT, was designed based on the experimental data set of the FESTO wind turbine learning system via a curve fitting approach. Furthermore, the proposed model can be modified to evaluate the entire system under new specific conditions. For instance, the implementation on the frequency domain approach under a different wind turbine configuration, including more damping components or friction coefficients of the SWT and the PMSG.