Enhancement of the Performance of Switched Reluctance Generators in Low Wind Speed Conditions Using Advanced Tracking Techniques

Abstract

This paper presents a tracking method to improve the performance of switched reluctance generators in areas with low wind speeds. The main contribution of this work is the proposal of an advanced control system that employs dynamic tracking techniques to optimize the energy efficiency and response of the switched reluctance generators under various operating conditions. The methodology encompasses the construction of the generator, the development of a wind turbine model, and the coupling of the turbine with the switched reluctance generators. Simulations are conducted using real wind speed data to evaluate the use of switched reluctance generators in wind energy generation. The performance of the switched reluctance generators is improved by applying a tracking technique that operates on the converter’s turn-off angle, which controls the generator’s switching. The tracking and optimization techniques implemented in this work maximize the performance of switched reluctance generators in wind energy generation, both in standalone and self-excited operations. The results demonstrate that satisfactory wind energy generation can be achieved using the SRG, with wind speeds of 5.40 m/s producing approximately 1.5 kW without optimization and around 1.65 kW with optimization, reaching about 70% efficiency with a custom-built generator. This makes the technology viable for regions characterized by low wind speeds.