Design and control of a grid tied 6-switch converter for two independent low power wind energy resources based on PMSGs with MPPT capability

In this study, a novel three-phase six-switch dual input converter is proposed and employed as a rectifier to integrate two variable speed wind turbines based on permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) into the utility grid. The proposed converter is derived by reducing the number of switches of nine switch converter. It is also noticeable that the proposed topology is cost-efficient especially in low power applications, due to the fact that the cost of IGBTs is nearly the same for the average ratings of switches. Utilized control method promises sinusoidal waveforms and obtains unity power factor in generators side. In order to enhance the efficiency of the system, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is also applied. MATLAB/SIMULINK is used as an aid to test the converter and the control scheme. Moreover, an experimental prototype of the proposed rectifier is implemented so as to evaluate analysis, control method and simulation results.