Development of converter configuration and corresponding control strategy for wind turbines using permanent magnet synchronous generator: A Case study

Abstract

This study aims to investigate a feasible converter architecture and corresponding control method for Wind Turbine (WT) systems using permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSG). The converter configuration is designed based on the AC/DC/AC converter, including the Diode Bridge Rectifier (DBR) and Pulse Width Modulated Current Source Inverter (PWM-CSI), Buck-Boost Converter (BBC), and Bypass Chopper (BC). The control strategy for the proposed converter is developed to enhance the operating performance of WT-PMSG, which must satisfy four requisitions. Firstly, it proposes the control approach for the pitch angle to control the output power of the WT when the wind speed is over the rated value. The selected control variables are the generator speed and active power. Secondly, the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is archived to the satisfaction of the full-range operation through the control strategy for the BBC. The control strategy is applied by the Proportional Integral (PI) controller. The control variables are the generator speed and the diode rectifier's output DC current. Thirdly, the control strategy for PWM-CSI controls the voltage at the connection point and the frequency of the inverter. Fourthly, the DC-link voltage is controlled to the constant value at various operating conditions. Simulation of a 3MW and 0.69 kV WT-PMSG was carried on in PSCAD software to verify under considering the variable wind speed and the three-phase fault. The obtained results prove the feasibility of the proposed WT-PMSG system that serves as an alternative for a high-power wind energy conversion system.