Application of A Matrix Converter for PMSG
Wind Turbine Generation System
A. Guoliang Yang*, and B. Huiguang Li*
*Department of electrical engineering , Yanshan University , Qinhuangdao,066004,(china)
Abstract—A utility-connected wind-power generation
scheme using permanent magnet synchronous machines
(PMSMs) in conjunction with a direct AC-AC matrix
converter is proposed. The matrix converter converts the
high-frequency of a micro-turbine generator to a
conventional frequency of the utility system, based on a
novel switching strategy. The control algorithm regulates
magnitude and phase-angle of the converter output voltage
to accommodate real and reactive power flow requirements
of the utility system. The system enables optimal speed
tracking for maximum energy capture from the wind and
high performance active and reactive power regulation. The
paper describes the operating principles of this power
generation scheme. Emphasis is given to 3-2 matrix
converters for 3f–1f AC voltage/frequency for conversion
control of system. The three-step voltage commutation
sequence of the matrix converter is highlighted here.
Simulation studies of the proposed power generation system
were carried out. Results obtained are presented illustrating
the good control performance of the system.
Index Terms-- matrix converter; micro-turbine generator;
three-step commutation sequence; PMSG; directly drive
I. INTRODUCTION
Due to the increasing demand on electrical energy and
environmental concerns, a considerable amount of effort
is being made to generate electricity from rene- wable
sources of energy. The major advantages of using
renewable sources are abundance and lack of harmful
emissions. Wind is one of the most abundant renewable
sources of energy in nature. The wind energy can be
harnessed by a wind energy conversion system (WECS),
composed of a wind turbine, an electric generator, a
power electronic converter and the corresponding control
system.
Wind energy conversion systems (WECSs) are
becoming increasingly popular as the demand for stand-
alone renewable electricity generation grows globally [1].
Permanent magnet (PM) machines are ideally suited for
these applications, as they are inherently more efficient
than wind-field machines. Moreover, PM machine rotors
are easy to manufacture with the large number of poles
required by low-speed, direct-drive WECSs. A direct-
drive WECS with fixed-pitch blades is typically operated
at variable speeds, which offer the advantage of
maximum the energy capture from prevailing winds.
This work was supported by the State Key Program of National
Natural Science of China(Grant No. 50837003) and the Natural
Science Research Program of Education Bureau of Heibei Province of
china (Grant No. Z2008474)
978-1-4244-2544-0/08/$20.00 ©2009 IEEE
However, a consequence of variable speed operation of a
WECS is that the generator hardly operates at its rated
operating point (i.e. rated speed and load).
To choose other components of WECS, the strategy
of speed control should be known. It has been shown that,
for grid connected wind turbine system, the efficiency of
constant-speed systems is lower than that of variable
speed systems. Therefore, despite the extra cost of power
electronics, the life-cycle cost is lower. Many different
configurations of variable-speed wind turbines have been
introduced in the literature [2],[3],[4]. Reference [3]
introduces a high- performance configuration, commonly
known as Scherbius drive, composed of a doubly-fed
induction generator (DFIG) and a PWM AC/ DC/AC
converter connected between the stator and rotor
terminals to implement variable speed operation. Another
configuration for variable-speed wind turbines has been
introduced in [3].This system is composed of a DFIG
with a matrix converter connected between the stator
control wind- ing and the main stator terminals. Variable
speed is implemented through control of the matrix
converter. The main advantage of the configurations
reported in [2] and [3] is in employing a pilot converter
toperform shaft speed control. The main disadvantage of
these schemes is the high cost of the doubly fed induction
generator.
The matrix converter (MC) provides direct AC-AC
conversion and is considered an emerging alternative to
the conventional two-stage AC-DC-AC converter
topology [5],[6]. A matrix converter provides a large
number of control levers that allows for independent
control on the output voltage magnitude, frequency and
phase angle, as well as the input power factor. When
compared with the AC-DC-AC converter system, the
bold feature of MC is elimination of the DC-link reactive
elements, e.g. bulky capacitors and/ or inductors. How-
ever, this topology has not yet found its appropriate place
in industrial applications. The main reasons behind this
are the potential commutation problems, requiring
complex control and buffer circuits, unavailability of
monolithic bi-directional switches, lack of decoupling
619
between the two ac sides of the converter, and low
voltage gain.
A novel MC topology with advantages over the
conventional nine-bidirectional-switch topology has been
developed by Wei and Lipo. The improved topology has
the same performance as the conventional MC, but does
not have any commutation problems. In addition, voltage
gain is improved and control is simplified [7].
In response to these concerns, this paper proposes a
Matrix converter topology(Fig.1) employs six bi-
directional switches to convert lower frequency (50/ 60
Hz) three-phase input directly to a high frequency (10/20
kHz) one-phase output. The output is then processed via
an isolation transformer to utility.
Advantages of the proposed topology are:
• no dc-link capacitor required,
• capable of operation over a wide input voltage range,
• low total harmonic distortion (THD) in line current,
• proper switching modulation results in smaller input
filter,
• unity input power factor over a wide load range,
• higher efficiency with increased power density,
• digital control facilitates external communication;
enable parallel operation of several stages and
implementation of complex closed loop control
functions.
Fig. 1. Proposed MC topology based on PMSG Wind Turbine
Generation System
II. Title Principle of a Variable-Speed Wind-Turbine
For a horizontal-axis wind turbine, the mechanical
output power Pt , is a function of wind velocity Vw , and
can be expressed as
1
Pt = C P ρπR 2V w3 (1)
2
Where CP is the coefficient of power, ρ is the air
density and R is the turbine radius. The turbine torque is
the ratio of the output power to the shaft speed ω t ,
namely, Tt = Pt / ω t .The turbine is normally coupled to a
generator shaft through a gearbox whose gear ratio ς is
chosen so as to maintain the generator shaft speed within
a desired speed range. Neglecting the transmission losses,
the torque and shaft speed of the wind turbine, referred to
the generator side of the gearbox, are given by
620
Tt and ω r = ςω t
Tm = (2)
ς
Respectively where Tm is the driving torque of the
generator and ω r is the generator shaft speed.
A wind turbine can only generate a certain
percentage of power associated with the wind. This
percentage is represented by C P which is a function of
wind speed, turbine rotational speed and the pitch angle
of specific wind turbine blades.
It is convenient to combine V w and ω t in a single
variable called the tip-speed ratio λ where
λ = Rω t / Vw .A non-linear relationship between
C P and λ can be obtained experimentally for any given
wind turbine. A measured C P - λ curve for a 7.5kW
turbine is shown in Fig.2 and is the basis of the wind
turbine studied in this work. As shown in Fig.3, for a
particular wind speed within the range from cut in to
rated wind velocity, the turbine rotational speed can be
adjusted so that the maximum C P can be obtained. This,
in turn, causes the wind turbine to generate a maximum
power at that wind speed.
Fig. 2 Coefficient of power for the wind turbine model
Fig. 3 Torque-speed characteristics of the wind turbine (referred to
generator side with gearbox ratio=5.05)
III. Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm
Instead of a closed-loop control that finds the PMSG
terminal frequency based on the error between the actual
and reference values of power, for capturing maximum
power from the wind [8,9], in this paper, Perturbation and
Observation method [11] has been adopted to track the
maximum power point. In this method, the PMSG[14]
terminal frequency is incremented or decremented in
small steps as long as the signs of Δf and ΔP / Δf are
the same, as an indication for moving towards the
maximum power point. When ΔP / Δf =0, maximum
power point has been reached. If incrementing or
decrementing the frequency results in opposite signs
for Δf and ΔP / Δf , the direction of frequency change
is reversed. This method which has been successfully
used for maximum power point tracking of photo voltaic
energy conversion systems has three advantages over the
closed-loop control approach with PI- controller:
two switches while ensuring a freewheeling current path
for the load. For completeness, the three-step voltage
commutation sequence used in all variants of the matrix
converters considered here is illustrated in Fig. 5.
Sapr Sbpr
Load

Sapf Sbpf
A. Perturbation and Observation method does not need
priori knowledge of maximum wind turbine power
Pwmax at different wind velocities and the induction
A B
machine parameters. In closed-loop control approach, this
priori knowledge is required to calculate the maximum AC

power on the induction generator side, which is used as
the reference for power.
B. Perturbation and Observation method works
successfully irrespective of the location of the present
operating point with respect to the maximum power
point. Closed-loop control approach can be made to work
successfully only if the present operating point is to the
left or right hand side of the maximum power point, not
in both cases. The reason for this is that the variation of
Pw with f is not monotonic and closed-loop controller
based on PI-controller woks for monotonic variations
only.
C. Perturbation and Observation method works based on
small increments and decrements of frequency. This will
ensure smooth acceleration and deceleration towards the
maximum power point without overshoot and undershoot
in speed. It also maintains operation in the stable
generating region of induction machine during
transitions. Closed-loop control based on PI-controller is
not immune to these problems unless a very slow
controller is used.
IV. Matrix Converter
Fig. 4 Illustrating bidirectional switch configuration
a b
Fig. 5 commutation sequence for single-phase converter
a voltage commutation for case VAN positive
b voltage commutation for case VAN negative
B. Magnitude Control
To control the output voltage magnitude, the duty
cycle(D) or the conduction time of each switch, within a
switching period, is varied. Fig. 6 shows half of the
switching function of switch Sap which is symmetrical
with respect to the vertical axis. The part shown in the
figure includes two pulses lasting from 0 to α and from
600 to 1200- α degrees, respectively. Angle can be varied
in the range of [0,600] degrees corresponding to the duty
cycle of 0 to 1, respectively. When Sap is off, either or
conducts to avoid current interruption.

A. Switching Strategy
Fig. 1 shows the MC power circuitry. The both sides
of the MC are considered as the input and output sides,
Fig. 6 The structure of a variable-amplitude switching function.
respectively. Each converter switch is a bidirectional
The amplitude of the fundamental component of Sap,
semiconductor switch, e.g. two back- to-back connected
based on Fig. 6, in terms of either α or the duty cycle D
IGBTs. The switching strategy must prevent short circuit
is
between two phases and line current interruptions (line
2 3ª πº 1
open circuit).The most basic form of matrix converter is a1 (α ) = «sin(α + » − (3)
the single-phase AC–AC ‘transformer’, consisting of two π ¬ 6¼ 2
bidirectional switches configured in a half-bridge arrang- 2 π
a1 ( D ) = sin( D ) (4)
ement[12], see Fig.4. A three-step commutation technique π 3
is adopted that prevents simultaneous conduction of the From (3) and (4), we obtain

621
 3 ­ ª π 1 º½
D= sin −1 ® 3 «sin(α + ) − » ¾ (5)
π ¯ ¬ 6 2 ¼¿
C. Phase-Angle Control
A temporary change in the converter output
frequency, ω 0 , results in the output voltage waveform to
slip with respect to that of the utility. In turn, this changes
the phase-angle of the converter output voltage, δ (t ) ,
with respect to the voltage angle of the utility. Therefore, Fig. 8 Converter input phase A current
t
δ (t ) = ³ Δω 0 dt + δ (0) (6)
0

V. Simulation Study and Discussion

A 7.5kW wind-turbine driven PMSM was simulated.
The parameters of this machine are given in list:
Armature resistance R= 0.57 Ω ,
Iron loss resistance Ri = 240 Ω ,
−3
d-axis inductance Ld= 7.73 × 10 H,
−2
q-axis inductance Lq = 2.28 × 10 H, Fig. 9 Converter output phase C current and voltage
Electromotive force coefficient K e = 1.08 × 10 −1 v ⋅ s / rad
−4 −2
Inertia coefficient J m = 1.15 × 10 N ⋅ m ⋅ s / rad VI. Conclusions
−4
Damping coefficient Dm = 1.00 × 10 N ⋅ m ⋅ s / rad A wind-power generation scheme using permanent
Number of pole pairs P = 4 magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) in conjunction
The matrix converter is modeled using ideal switches, with a direct AC-AC matrix converter is proposed. The
The sampling time for the current control loop and the three-step voltage commutation sequence of the matrix
switching period of the converter are both set to 500ps
while the speed loop sampling time is 5 ms. Fig. 7 shows converter switching strategy is tested. A switching
the waveforms of the converter input phase A voltage and strategy is employed that facilitates conversion of the
Fig.8 shows the waveform of the converter input phase A generator high output frequency to a 50/60 Hz frequency
current. The output phase C current and voltage at the utility system. A control approach is adopted for
waveform is shown in Fig 9. The results in this section
magnitude and phase-angle control of the utility-side
indicate that stable operation of the PMSG can be
achieved. This can be effectively implemented using a voltage of the MC. Performance of the MC based PMSG
matrix converter which is capable of producing Wind Turbine Generation System is evaluated based on
sinusoidal input and output currents. and the switching simulations in the MATLAB/ Simulink environment.
strategy and control algorithm are tested . Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed matrix
converter topology and switching strategy in Wind
energy conversion systems is feasible and has certain
advantages.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank the support of the
State Key Program of National Natural Science of China
and Education Bureau of Heibei Province of china
Fig. 7 Converter input phase A voltage
REFERENCES
[1] Eftichios Koutroulis and Kostas Kalaitzakis, Design of a
Maximum Power Tracking System for Wind-Energy-
Conversion Applications [J]. IEEE Transactions on
Industrial Electronics(S0278-0046), vol. 53, no.2,pp.486-
494 April 2006.
[2] L Zhang, C Watthanasarn, and W. Shepherd, Application
of a matrix converter for the power control of a variable-
speed wind-turbine driving a doubly-fed induction
generator [C]. IECON 97,Vol.2,pp.906 – 911, Nov. 1997.

622
[3] R.Pena, J.C.Clare, and G.M.Asher, A doubly fed induction
generator using back-to-back PWM converters supplying
an isolated load from a variable speed wind turbine[J]. IEE
Proc., Electric Power Applications(S 0143-7038), Volume:
143 , Issue: 5 , Sept. 1996 pp.:380 – 387.
[4] R. Spee, S. Bhowmik, J.H.R. Enslin, Adaptive control
strategies for variable-speed doubly-fed wind power
generation systems [C], IEE Industry Applications Society
Annual Meeting, Vol.1,Oct. 1994pp. 545 - 552.
[5] M. Venturini and A. Alesina, The generalized transformer:
A new bidirectional sinusoidal waveform frequency
converter with continuously adjustable input power factor.
in Proc[C]. IEEE PESC’80, 1980, pp. 242–252.
[6] P. W. Wheeler, IEEE, J. Rodríguez, J. Clare,L.
Empringham, and A. Weinstein, Matrix Converters: A
Technology Review [J] , IEEE Trans. On Industrial
elctronicas(S0278-0046), Vol. 49, NO. 2, APRIL 2002,pp
276-289.
[7] Somnida Ratanapanachote, Han Ju Cha, and Prasad N.
Enjeti, A Digitally Controlled Switch Mode Power Supply
Based on Matrix Converter [J].IEEE Transactions on
Power Electronics(S0278-0046), Vol. 21, no. 1 ,pp.124-
130, January 2006
[8] M. G. Simoes, B. K. Bose, and R. J. Spiegel, Fuzzy logic
based intelligent control of a variable speed cage machine
wind generation system [J], IEEE Trans. On Power
Electronics(S0278-0046), Vol. 12, NO. 1, January1997,pp
87-95.
[9] R. Teodorescu, and F. Blaabjerg, Flexible Control of Small
Wind Turbines With Grid Failure Detection Operating in
Stand-Alone and Grid-Connected Mode [J],IEEE Trans.On
Power Electronics (S0278-0046), Vol. 19, NO. 5, SEP.
2004,pp 1323,1332.
[10] W. Lu and B. T. Ooi, Multiterminal LVDC system for
optimal acquisition of power in wind-farm using induction
generators[J], IEEE Tran. On Power Electronics(S0278-
0046), Vol. 17, NO. 4, July 2002, pp. 558-563.
[11] C. Hua and C. Shen. Comparative study of Peak Power
Tracking Techniques for Solar Storage System[C]. Applied
power Electronics Conference and Exposition, vol.2,
pp.679-685, Feb.1998.
[12] Hassan Nikkhajoei,, and M. Reza Iravani, A Matrix
Converter Based Micro-Turbine Distributed Generation
System [J].IEEE transactions on power delivery(S0885-
8977), vol. 20, no. 3, July 2005.
[13] ShenYan-xia,JiZhi-cheng. Passivity-Based Fuzzy Sliding-
Mode Control System and Experiment Research for
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors[J]..Journal of
System Simulation, 2007,19(17): 4012-4016.

623