Comparative Study of Maximum Power Strategy in Wind Turbines
A. Mirecki, X. Roboam, F. Richardeau
L.E.E.I. UMR CNRS - INPT/ENSEEIHT, 2, rue Camichel, BP 7122 31071,Toulouse, France, e-mail:
Xavier.Roboamaleei.enseeiht.fr
Abstract - power characteristics of wind turbines are
non linear. It is particularly true for Savonius vertical
axis systems whose the provided power is very sensitive
to the load. Thus, controlling its operating is essential to
optimise the energetic behaviour. Several control
strategies (Maximum Power Point Tracking) can be
used for energy conversion. If the wind turbine
characteristic (Cp(X)) is supposed to be a priori known,
it can be used for an optimal control of the torque,
speed or of the output current. On the contrary, if this
characteristic is unknown, an operational seeking
algorithm such as fuzzy logic has to be implemented.
Several structures are also possible following the AC-
DC converter which can be a PWM converter or a
simple diode bridge. A comparative study of these
control strategies and architectures is proposed in this
paper. The analysis is based on simulations and on some
experiments.
Index Termns - renewable energy, wind power, MPPT
I. iNTRODuTCTION
Evolution of power and control electronic devices in
variable frequency converters allows now to optimise the
wind turbines energy whatever the climatic conditions.
Several kind of turbines exist. For small reduced power
plants (several kilowatts) situated in regions with low wind
characteristics (i.e. urban site,..) vertical axis turbines are
convenient even if their efficiency is lower than classical
horizontal turbines. Indeed, they involve advantages such as
low starting speed, independence with respect to the wind
direction, acoustical and aesthetic characteristics. A wind
turbine is usually represented by its power coefficient 9.
versus the reduced tip ratio X (Figure ,).
Cp i
p The inertia moment must absolutely be taken into
, 0 A
opt
Fig 1 Courbe q=f(X)
2.P R-Q (1,2)
Y p S V V,,'V,>
P: mechanical power; V, : wind speed; p : air density; S:
active section ; Q : rotation speed ; R: turbine radius.
The bell-shaped curve of Figure 1 shows that optimal
operation is highly depending on the rotation (Q) and wind
speeds (½V). Algorithms allowing the optimal operating
0-7803-8304-4/04/$20.00 C02004 IEEE
point seeking are called << Maximum Power Point
Tracking >> (MPPT).
Several MPPT strategies and energy conversion system
architectures can be convenient for which a comparative
study is presented in this paper. The analysis is based on
simulation tests and on experiments realised on the test
bench presented on Figure 2.
Fig. 2 LEEI test bench
This test bench allows a « simulated experiment >> of the
wind power system, the turbine being <<simulated >> by a
servomotor which reproduces torque and inertia with
respect to the rotation and wind speeds (curve Cp(Q)). The
turbine is coupled to a PM Synchronous generator through
a torquemeter. The generator is actually dedicated to a
vertical axis wind turbine. This breadboard allows to test
two different structures a PWM controlled AC-DC
converter (see Figure 4) or a 3 phased diode bridge
associated to a DC-DC chopper following the structure of
the Figure 10. The system in controlled by DSP processors
(DS l 102 board) which convert sensors information
(voltage, current, position and torque).
account, due to its very high value. Then, the wind turbine
must be considered as a « speed source >> respecting the
mechanical relationship:
AT =T1 -Tem =j di +f Q (3)
then:
Q=LJ(AT-f. Q)t (4)
where T,t, Ter are respectively the wind turbine and
electromagnetic torques, f being the total viscous friction
coefficient.
On the experimental «simulator »> the speed calculated
by (4) is imposed by the servomotor. The scheme of Figure
3 allows to study the effects of various inertia coefficients
on the test bench.
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 Inversely, the optimal speed is equal to:
V_ T-I =pt -KPmax (12)

Thus, only measuring the transferred power allows

Fig. 3: modelling of the wind turbine calculating the speed reference which allows to seek the
optimal operation
II. TRACKING ALGORITrIMS
P [k- 3
K Q- OirIf [k+ 1]
Two types of tracking algorithms (MPPT) exist: N opt

Methods based on the knowledge of the CF'(X) Fig. 6 optimal reference speed versus power
characteristic;
Methods allowing to seek the optimal operation This speed reference can be imposed in the controller
without knowing the turbine characteristic. scheme of Figure 5. Following the turbine inertia and the
Every strategy presented in this paper allows operating speed controller bandwidth, the optimum operation can be
close to the optimal point with no need of wind speed achieved after some iterations as expressed in Figure 7
information. P[w]
A. With knowledge ofP0pt(2) characteristic
(3)(4)/ ~= f(Q0pt)
P (1)_~ ~~~ (.p
The wind turbine power being equal to:
(1)pSJ(5)
Ccp(X , .2 Q P1 4 P.Q
2
The sizes of the turbine can be included to calculate the Fig. 7 convergence of the speed controlled tracking
power:
S=2 R H (6) The same behaviour can be observed in case of wind
A=-R_ Q -R (7,8) speed variation.
Vu =
2. Torque control
1. Speed control We use the same power conversion structure as
Whatever the torque or speed control of the previously (see Figure 4). The torque control is also
identical to the one presented in Figure 5 by only removing
generator, autopiloting must be achieved thanks to the
structure of the Figure 4. In this case, the PWM converter the speed regulator. The optimal torque is here obtained
associated to the PM generator is vector controlled as from the rotation speed value according (13):
Ctm)ax p R4 H
expressed in figure 5 which includes a speed loop. Top2)= Qopt ( 13)
1k,.
opt
thus, the following load torque has to be imposed to achieve
an optimal operation:
T(Q)=KoK Q* (14)
In this case, the rotation speed gives directly the optimal
reference torque:

Fig. 4: PWM controlled converter structure L4k] K

K, 2 1[k] Tref[k+1]

Fig. 8: optimal reference torque versus speed

k 9 t- ~
> sq ~~~~~~
ISe This reference torque is then imposed in the control unit
pfT
~k I T
pr Vs ref (see figure 5) allowing to seek the optimum operation after
'q= vs3ref some iterations as expressed in Figure 9.
T[N m] L opt=f (n ")
Fig. 5 :Speed control of PWM converter - PM generator. Tef
Tem I ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I
The Maximum turbine power is obtained if: Temref 33
Twt = TvoPt NV I
(9)
-

C-p (X) = Cp (kp,t ) = Cp-

t

Twt2 -~ ------ -r I
w .Cmax.p.iR4.H (10)
-

I- I-
PmaxQ Q.3 t=K p3 7nt
- -

opt I I FF rradl
U"

Cmax p _R4 . H
1
U =L2 opt0,
0 s
with Kopt =-F (11)
3
XI
Fig. 9 : convergence of the torque controlled tracking

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 3.Diode bridge - DC-DC chopper structure
The structure is here composed of a diode AC-DC
converter linked to a DC-DC chopper. This latter operates
as a battery charger (see Figure 10). Seeking the optimal
operation can be here achieved by controlling the battery
current. The idea is to obtain an optimal load characteristic
versus the DC Voltage. In fact, UdC constitutes an
<< approximated vision >> of the rotation speed. Indeed, the
DC voltage is directly related to the generator electromotive
forces magnitude, this latter being proportional to the
speed.
IGBT
These rules, illustrated on the figure 13, are managed
from the fuzzy logic algorithm shown in figure 14.
Example ifAP and AQ > 0 then Afef must be positiv?e.
After the <<fuzzification >> of input variables (P,AQ),
fuzzy rules (inference) are applied and aggregated. For the
defuzzification process, the centre of gravity method is
applied on singletons functions (figure 14).
P [W.]
500

V, J5. I0~m/s \ilsmis

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 O[radls]
Fig.13 seeking of the optimum operation
Fig. 10 : diode bridge - chopper structure
Figure 11 gives the battery current controlled scheme
process

1 bate

Fig. 11: current controlled DC DC chopper

From several tests (simulations and experiments), an
optimal characteristic Pba/tP f/UdCPUt) has been obtained Fig. 14: fuzzy processing- of input/output data
allowing to collect the maximum power in the battery. Let This Fuzzy MPPT algorithm, its characteristics and
notice that the optimal characteristic not only involves the results are detailed in [1J. The energy conversion structure
turbine efficiency, but also the losses in the whole system is the one given in Figure 4. The block diagram of the speed
(i.e. diodes converter and chopper). This power controlled generator is described in Figure 5.
characteristic allows setting an optimal management law for
the chopper ( IOPt f(ud )) expressed from:
=
IIl. COMPARATIVE STUDY
hax (a .J + b) (15) In order to compare these different energy maximisation
By measuring the DC voltage Ut, and the battery voltage strategies, a commoni wind shape will be considered for
Ubat the reference current is calculated as in figure 12. every simulation test. This shape has been synthesized with
respect to actual experimental conditions
U -aUdJk] +b) I'[k T', = 10+2 sini(wt)+ 2 sin(3.5 t)+sin(1235. iot)+0.2. sin(35. cot) (16)
U bat
with: 22 r
where: T = 60s (17)
Fig. 12 optimal management law for the current control TI*

The optimal reference value of the current is imposed to 20

the current controller of the DC-DC chopper. As for the DC
voltage which constitutes an image of the rotation speed, 15
the imposed current sets the generator torque after a short -
-
Ei
electrical transient. This latter structure, added with its
tracking strategy, is quite similar to the previous torque 10
controlled tracking strategy. 5
Let notice the simplicitV' of this configuration inicluding a
low cost AC-DC converter with a minimum of sensors (no
need of mechanical sensor) and a reduced contr-ol cost. 0
0 20 40 60 80 100
time LI
B. Without knowledge of the optimal curve P0,t(Q)
Fig. 15 test wind speed
If neither the turbine characteristics, nor the wind Due to wind variations, the inertia coefficient value has a
speed, are supposed to be known, an MPPT algorithm has great influence on the waveforms of the system. However,
to be implemented using operational seeking method based
if only the energy provided is considered, we have observed
on behavioural rules linked to power and speed
that its level is quite constant whatever the inertia. The
variations (AP,AQ) [1,2]. following table shows the energy provided for several

995
inertia from a reduced coefficient (J ]kg*ni ) till the actual 800
value for the wind turbine (i.e. J=16kg*nm). It has been
obtained for the MPPT algorithm with speed controlled 600
synchronous generator presented in section II.A. 1.
3 3 400
wt I 11 1 2 1 4 1 8 1 161
lEnergy(Joule)l 13801 1364 | 1352 | 1342 1 1320(| 1 200

Table 1 Energy provided versus inertia 0

Table 1 confirms that the energy is nearly equivalent -200

( 20 40 60 80 100
whatever the inertia. Furthermore, we have observed that tirr4
the speed controller bandwidth has a low influence on the
efficiency. In fact, this phenomenon can be explained by
Fig. 16 mechanical power and optimal power (simulation
test for Fuzzy MPPT algorithm)
the fact that the inertia stores energy during transient, this
"energy storage" being released at the end of the transient. 25000
For example, when the wind speed increases, the rotation
speed will be delayed with respect to the "ideal speed" 20000
corresponding to the optimal operating conditions E / =gs),l516.67.
(C-1P'(2i,d)) which provokes an energy loss. This delay is
directly linked with the inertia value and with the system
control dynamic. In fact, the inertia stores all the more 10000
15000/ :
energy than its value (J) is important. Finally, these two
E t1's-24110.60JI
latter effects are nearly compensated regarding the E,(t= Ss= 1 1264J
efficiency. However, the shape of the power is all the more 0
filtered than the inertia coefficient increases. 0 O 40um6l 80 100

Simulation conditions : for the following simulation Fig. 17 actual and maximum wind turbine energy:
tests, the small value of the inertia coefficient simulation test
(J = 1kg nim ) has been considered. The DC bus voltage
has been fixed to V`.b,300V for the architecture including
the PWM converter (Figure 4).
In order to compare the whole system efficiency, the
following criteria has been considered
5"
AE
bE=E wI: * 100 (18 )
LEWI
ia

t,,=E1T('=tend)-E1r ('='begid(1 Fig. 18 maximum and mechanical power: experimental test

Ew,t (respectively Emx ) represents the Energy provided by
the wind turbine (respectively the maximum energy that an E (t=160)=24300J
ideal turbine could offer) during the time interval between
tbegin and tend
EWt=fP-.,(Ve )dt; QF =Q (20)
where Tw,t is the wind turbine torque (only due to the power
coefficient). p,Tax is the maximal power that can be .x Ernx~~ (t Emax E

.9 ,4( ii5 ( 1 011 1 14: 1 60

obtained if the optimal operation is permanently time ls]

maintained:
Vkopt
Pwr U2= u (21) Fig. 19 actual and maximum wind turbine
energy: experimental test
kopt = C7ln, p R -H (22)
B. Testing PWM converter fed speed controlled
A. Testing ofFuzzy MPPT generator
The Fuzzy MPPT without knowledge of the turbine With the same requirement. the same power and energy
characteristics (Cp(2)) is firstly tested. comparisons are respectively presented on Figures 20 and
Figure 16 and 17 (18 and 19 for experimental test) 21.
compare respectively power and energy obtained from the
turbine with the maximum value (XmaA) that could be
achieved if the optimal conditions are permanently
maintained.

996
 500

400 J........

~300 ....1...1.........
*200
100

0
0 20 40 tiAQk 80 100 120

Fig. 20 mechanical power and optimal power (simulation

test for speed controlled MPPT algorithm)
Fig. 24: compared efficiency for T anad Q2 controlled MPPT
25000 ........

E oI2s) 2 448&6 6, .
20000
D. Testing of Diode Bridge and currenit con trolled D -
E~ (t 5s) 1051 667J
DC chopper
15000
wt wt
700.00

600.00
5000 "E' t5s=38. 400.00

0~ 200.00
0 20 40timeEP] 8 100 100.00

Fig. 21: actual and maximum wind turbine energy: 0.00 26.00 50.00 76.00 100.00 126.00
(simulation test for speed controlled MPPT algorithm-) T im e (si~
Fig. 25 mechanical power and optimal power (simulation
C. PWM converter fed torque controlled generator test for battery current controlled MPPT algorithm)
E- Ew
As previously, the same requirement and the same tests
are proposed for a torque controlled MPPT algorithm.
800 1500 EWIt.
20000.00 12(ts)=12448.8J.P
600
E (t=l 20 )24124.6J
5000.00i

a,
400

s. 200
~~
0.0025.00
(t=~s)E1208.84J
F
50.00 75.00
.
100.00 125.00
Timne (s

0
Fig. 26 actual and maximum wind turbine energzy:
(simulation test for battery current controlled MPPT)
-200
c
This structure and the corresponding tracking are those
timeis presented in Figures 10, 11 et 12. The battery voltage is
Fig. 22 mechanical power and optimal power fixed to l,at=48V. The requirements (wind,...) are the
(simulation test for torque controlled MPPT algorithm) same as for the previous cases.

25000 D. particular case of a high inertia

20000
In the following, the inertia value is set to the actual
value of the turbine i.e. J= I6kg*m2r.
wt WI
700.00
1-1 5000 600.00

600.00

0 200.00
) 20 40 tim64] &) 100

Fig. 23 actual and maximum wind turbine energy: 0.00 26.00 50,00 75.00 100.00 125.00
(simulation test for torque controlled MPPT algorithm) Time (s)
Fig. 27 mechanical power and optimal power (simulation
test fur battery current controlled MPPT algorithm)

997
 25000.OC
E maxE high values of inertia and its dynamic must be sufficiently
20000.00-
slow to avoid the system to be unstable, particularly during
start-up transients.
16000.C- ........0
The torque controlled MPPT is then1 more simple anid
10000.00 ^... ..... ,,f w dlye
tooooc >. .. . E. eaned. robust thain the speed control.
(fv ~~~~~~filtered
The A.3 structure including a diode converter with a DC-
$f
0.00 25.00 0.000 7.000 100.00 12500
DC chopper is a cheaper and simpler solution for which the
Time (sl results are quite satisfactory. No mechanical sensors are
Fig. 28 actual alnd maximum wind turbine energy: needed. Even if the tuning of the generator torque is
(simulation test for battery current controlled MPPT) indirect anld highly slower, the high inertia of the turbine
Pwt Pwtnaxet(t)
operates as a "wind filter" offering a globally powerful
solution. Furthermore, an optimal curve giving the output
current (battery current) versus the DC voltage at the output
of the diode bridge can be determined by simulation and/or
by experiment. Another advantage is that this curve directly
I ~ ~ I
includes the system losses for any operating points.
Cii
U~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i Howevcr, this structure with a diodes bridge has also some
1o
intrinsic disadvantages. Indeed, due to the stator impedanlce
4 ii PICI 10 i'
t Is]
EE:,- R,1Ina<
of the generator. the reactive power is not null.
Fig. 29 mechanical power and optimal power (experimental Furthermore. the diodes voltage drops as well as phase
test for battery current controlled MPPT algorithm') switching with stator inductance circuits also involve
Ewt, Ewtmax=f(tj
electrical losses. Globally, about 10% of efficiency is lost
relatively to the structure with PWM converter.
'3,000],t 0 (.t
Torquic Speed Current
controlled controlled controlled Fuzzy MPPT
ui 12() 2430 MPPTI MPPT diode bndge
IOC us) * oR,i s=}
Energy +++ +++ +++ +
r*o
iii 4(1
efficiency
System
structure - +++
Fig. 30 actual and maximum wind turbine energy: simplicity
(experimental test for battery current controlled MPPT ) Algon'thm+++ ___

IV. CONCLUSION: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS Table 2: qualitative comparison

So far, the efficiency ( E4?) of those different controlled IV. REFERENCES

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rectifier, EPE 2001, Graz
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998