Incremental Conductance Algorithm for Maximum Wind Power Extraction Using Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator

Wind energy is by far the fastest growing renewable energy due to its free availability and environmental benefits. Maximum power extraction is a way to realize high power efficiency for Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS). This thesis focuses on studying the feasibility of implementing the Incremental Conductance (INC) method that has been used till now for Maximum Power Point Tracking in photovoltaic (PV) systems. Direct Driven Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) which has no gearbox is utilized in the proposed system to reduce the cost and increase the reliability of the wind turbine. A certain power conditioning topology which includes an Intermediate Boost Converter (IBC) is employed to facilitate the use of this control method. INC method is compared with the traditional Hill Climbing Search (HCS) method and the advantages of using the INC method in some operation conditions, is validated. A Matlab Simulink model is built to verify this approach.