Non-Linear Model Predictive Speed Control of Six Phase Squirrel Cage Generator in Wind Energy System

Abstract

Due to the intermittent nature of wind, varying wind speed causes imbalance in the current of the six phase squirrel cage induction generator (SCIG). These changes in the input signal create inbalance in the current and therefore causes deviations in the torque and flux of the generator. Therefore, this work develops non-linear model predictive control (NMPC) scheme for the generator to ensure that uncertainties in the input of the wind energy conversion system (WECS) have little effect in the quality of output power supplied to the grid. Simulation results obtained when NMPC technique was used in controlling the generator in the WECS showed the effectiveness of the aforementioned technique. The results obtained from the developed scheme were compared with those obtained when backstepping controller was used in controlling the six phase SCIG. It was observed that the developed scheme outperformed the backstepping technique in terms of electromagnetic torque by 16.844%, while a 61.1% improvement was observed in terms of settling time for the rotor flux of the developed technique over that of the backstepping. Finally, the results obtained for the DC link voltage output showed an improvement in terms of overshoot and settling time respectively.