Study on maximum power point tracking of wind turbine generator using a flywheel

Abstract

This paper focuses on a maximum power point tracking for wind turbine generator (WTG) with a flywheel. Power coefficient C/sub p/, which has the optimum point, depends on a tip speed ratio (TSR). If we can adjust the angular velocity of WTG to wind speed with the frequency converter, we can realize the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for WTG. Firstly, this paper explains a mechanism of wind power capture and necessity of flywheel. Secondly, we compare the difference between power ratio with and without a flywheel. We compare between fixed speed rotation operation and MPPT operation with data of the Tappi-zaki WTG system. As a result, a total power increase of up to 2 times has been obtained when the average wind speed is around 6.2 m/s (rated power is 275 kW). Finally, we proposed a simple small WTG system with permanent magnet type synchronous generator (rated power is 150 W) and wind turbine of 3-blades (rotor diameter is 1.24 m). We can make various wind speeds with the electric fan, so that we can evaluate MPPT operation with the experimental studies.