2014 Annual IEEE India Conference (INDICON)

Maximum Power Point Tracking and MPPT

Efficiency for Wind and Solar Energy Conversion
Standalone System
PSIM based P&O Method

Mr. Siddharth Joshi Dr. Vivek Pandya Dr. Bhavesh Bhalja

Research Scholar,
R.K. University, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.
Lecturer, EED, School of Technology,
Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University,
Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
siddharth181285@gmail.com
Associate Professor and Head of the
Department,
Electrical Engineering Department,
School of Technology,
Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University,
Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
Assistant Professor,
Electrical Engineering Department,
Indian Institute of Technology,
Roorke, Uttarakhand, India.

Abstract— This paper focuses on simulation analysis of

Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm (MPPT) for small
scale Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) and Solar
Photovoltaic (SP) module for power generation. The existing
MPPT algorithms for WECS use DC current as the perturbing
variable whereas change in wind speed is detected with the help
of change in dc voltage. While in case of Solar (PV) maximum
power is tracked by DC power taking voltage as a perturbing
variable. The algorithms have implemented in PSIM ® 9.1.4
software. The performance of the algorithm is found to be
satisfactory for power generation application as the MPPT
efficiency obtained is of the order of 80% and 98.32% for wind
and solar respectively.
Keywords— Maximum Power Point Tracking, MPPT
efficiency, Perturb and Observe Method (P&O), Wind and Solar
Energy Conversion System.
I. INTRODUCTION
Renewable energy has been developed recently because of the
fossil fuel exhaustion and environmental problems. Compared
with other renewable energy, such as solar energy, wind
power is more suitable for some applications with relatively
low cost. For rural and remote areas, the small-size stand-
alone wind power system with a battery bank as the energy
storage component is common and essential for providing
stable and reliable electricity [1]. It can be installed at selected
locations with abundant wind energy resources more flexibly
and effectively [1]. So, researchers have to think critically as
far as combined wind solar generation is concern. In that
dominating areas are grid integration, harmonic analysis,
combining two or more than two sources together etc. for
standalone system people also focused on Maximum power
point tracking methods and control strategies of such
algorithms. Present study focuses on two MPPT existing
algorithm simulated in PSIM ® 9.1.4 software to find the
efficiency for algorithms.
II. WIND TURBINE CONTROL REGIONS AND SOLAR
PHOTOVOLTAIC IV AND PV CURVES
The speed control requirement of the rotor has five separate
regions as shown in Fig. 1.
(1) The cut-in speed at which the turbine starts producing
power. Below this speed, it is not worthwhile, nor efficient, to
turn the turbine on. (2) The constant maximum Cp region
where the rotor speed varies with the wind speed variation to
operate at the constant TSR corresponding to the maximum
Cp value. (3) During high winds, the rotor speed is limited to
an upper constant limit based on the design limit of the system
components. In the constant-speed region, the Cp is lower than
the maximum Cp, and the power increases at a lower rate than
that in the first region. (4) At still higher wind speeds, such as
during a gust, the machine is operated at a controlled constant
power to protect the generator and power electronics from
overloading. This can be achieved by lowering the rotor speed.
If the speed is decreased by increasing the electrical load, then
the generator will be overloaded, defeating the purpose. To
avoid generator overloading, some sort of a brake (eddy
current or another type) must be installed on the rotor. (5) The
cut-out speed, at which the rotor is shut off to protect the
blades, the electrical generator, and other components of the
system beyond a certain wind speed. [2]

Fig. 1. Wind speed v/s percentage output characteristics.

978-1-4799-5364-6/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE

The power coefficient of a wind energy converter is given by,
ratio of power output from the wind turbine to power
contained in the wind. The power coefficient differs from the
efficiency of a wind machine in the sense that the latter
includes the losses in mechanical transmission, electrical
generation etc. Ideal value of CP is 0.59 (Betz limit) can be
considered as ideal value. TSR is very important yardstick in
the characterisation of wind energy conversion. [8]
The generator speed versus power curves at various wind
speeds is shown in Fig. 2 to track MPPT. Typical CP (λ) curve
is shown in Fig. 3. [3]
Fig. 2. Turbine power as function of the shaft rotating speed for different
wind velocities.
Fig. 3. Typical power coefficient as function of the TSR curve.
Under uniform solar irradiation conditions, PV panels exhibits
a unique operating point where PV power is maximized. The
PV power characteristic is nonlinear, as shown in Fig. 4
considering a single PV cell, which varies with the level of
solar irradiation and temperature, which make the extraction
of maximum power a complex task, considering load
variations. Thus, in order to overcome this problem, several
methods for extracting the maximum power have been
proposed in the literature. [6]
The two most important parameters widely used for describing
the cell electrical performance is the open-circuit voltage Voc
and a short-circuit current Isc. The short-circuit current is
measured by shorting the output terminals, and measuring the
terminal current under full illumination. Ignoring the small
diode and the ground-leakage currents under zero-terminal
voltage, the short-circuit current under this condition is the
photocurrent IL as shown in Fig. 3. [2]
Fig. 4. PV current-versus-voltage characteristic.
Fig. 5. PV and IV characteristics with MPP.
III. MPPT ALGORITHMS FOR WIND AND SOLAR
MPPT algorithms play a vital role in any renewable resource.
Wind energy system requires the algorithm to extract as much
energy as possible because according to Betz theory only
59.3% of total available 100% wind is converted into the
mechanical energy and hence wind mills are operated at its
maximum power point. In case of solar energy conversion
there are no. of factors are affected some of them are changing
in solar radiation, shading effect, installed surface area is
small, other climatic conditions etc.
Broadly, the MPPT algorithms are categorized into three
types: Tip-Speed ratio control (TSR), Power-Signal feedback
(PSF), Hill climb search (HCS) based. [3] TSR control method
regulates the wind turbine rotor speed to maintain an optimal
TSR and requires measurement of both the wind speed and
turbine speed. The optimal TSR for a given wind speed is
obtained from the turbine-generator characteristics and varies
from system to system. [3]
Moreover, in this scheme the machine is continuously
operated at its optimum TSR, which is a characteristic of the
given wind turbine. This optimum value is stored as the
reference TSR in the control computer. The wind speed is
continuously measured and compared with the blade tip speed.
The error signal is then fed to the control system, which
changes the turbine speed to minimize the error. At this time
the rotor must be operating at the reference TSR, generating
the maximum power as per fig. 2. This scheme has the
disadvantage of requiring the local wind speed measurements,
which could have a significant error, particularly in a large
wind farm with shadow effects. [2]
Fig. 6. Maximum power operation using rotor tip speed control
scheme.
In TSR control, the turbine shaft speed is directly controlled to
maintain the optimal TSR computed using measured wind and
turbine shaft speeds. [4] Although this method is simple and
intuitive, it relies highly on the accuracy of the wind speed
measurement, as the input is highly intermittent so at each step
of change in speed will significantly vary the TSR and as it
results in changing the Cp (power coefficient). The overall
aerodynamic efficiency depends upon the power coefficient
(Cp) and it is a function of blade pitch angle (β) and tip speed
ratio (λ). Usually the blade pitch angle (β) taken as zero for
small and medium wind speeds. TSR control directly regulates
the turbine speed to keep the TSR at an optimal value by
measuring wind speed and turbine speed.
In the case of ORB control, the MPP is tracked with the aid of
a convex or optimum relation between different system
variables. In general, in ORB techniques, there is no need for
wind speed measurements, and the response to wind speed
change is fast. ORB algorithms have good dynamic response
and simple implementation. The main drawback of such
methods is the need for prior knowledge of accurate system
parameters that can vary from one system to another and may
even change with system aging. [4]
PSF control requires the knowledge of the wind turbine’s
maximum power curve obtained for a turbine speed via prior
simulations or tests for individual wind turbines and the
reference speed is obtained from the curve. It could be seen
that both the TSR control and PSF control require extensive
turbine knowledge and measurement of generator speed and/or
wind speed thus increasing the number of sensors and the
control complexity. This makes the practical implementation
of the algorithm expensive and difficult to implement. To
overcome these difficulties, HCS based methods were
proposed where the algorithm continuously searches for the
turbine peak output power by varying the generator
speed/torque and based on the change in power direction,
determining the next variation. While each of these three
methods has their own merits and demerits, a number of
variations of these methods have been proposed over the years
using different techniques that address these issues. [2]
Another better method is Perturb and Observe (P&O) control,
which is also known as hill-climbing searching control. The
turbine speed is adjusted toward the MPP by regulating the dc-
side voltage or current, according to the results of comparison
between successive wind turbine generator output power
measurements (P&O). Once the optimum relation is defined
for a system, it can be used by P&O control algorithms to
track the MPP by continuously changing the maximizing
variable and observing the power captured. Based on the
power measurements variation with the perturbation
introduced, the next perturbation size and direction may be
determined until the algorithm reaches the MPP. Most of the
work done for MPPT using P&O has used the power-speed
relation of the wind turbine. [4]
The P&O method operates by periodically incrementing or
decrementing the output terminal voltage of the PV cell and
comparing the power obtained in the current cycle with the
power of the previous one (performs dP/dV). If the voltage
varies and the power increases, the control system changes the
operating point in that direction; otherwise, it changes the
operating point in the opposite direction. Once the direction
for the change of voltage is known, the voltage is varied at a
constant rate. [18]
IV. WIND AND SOLAR SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
The schematic of the WECS to which the MPPT algorithm
will be applied is shown in Fig. 7.
Wind and Solar System Modeling: Wind turbines convert the
kinetic energy present in the wind into mechanical energy by
means of producing torque. Since the energy contained by the
wind is in the form of kinetic energy, its magnitude depends
on the air density and the wind velocity. The wind power
developed by the turbine is given by the equation,
Fig. 7. WECS configuration. [4]
1
P= ρCpAV 3 (1)
2
The output torque of the wind turbine Tturbine has been V. WIND AND SOLAR MPPT MODELS IN PSIM AND
calculated by the following equation (2), RESULTS:
Fig. 9 shown below indicates the simulation model of wind
1 V and solar MPPT technique in PSIM. In case of wind MPPT
Tturbine = ρACp
2 λ (2) model two cases have taken. Among that first is sudden
Where, P=Power developed by Wind turbine change in wind speed and second is variable change in wind
T=Torque produced by Wind turbine speed. In case of solar MPPT is tracked at different solar
radiations particularly for battery charging applications.
Cp=The power co-efficient
ρ=Air density=1.225 kg/m3 Simulation of MPPT for Wind energy conversion systems,
A=Area of wind turbine blades in m2 it’s results and discussion:
V=Velocity of Wind
T=Output torque N.m
λ = Tip Speed Ratio
ω= Turbine Blade Linear Speed

The power coefficient Cp gives the fraction of the kinetic

energy that is converted into mechanical energy by the wind
turbine. It is a function of the tip speed ratio λ and depends on
the blade pitch angle for pitch-controlled turbines. The tip
speed ratio may be defined as the ratio of turbine blade linear
speed and the wind speed,
Rω
λ=
V (3)
Substituting (3) in (2), we have;

1 R
P= ρACp (λ )( )3ω 3
2 λ (4)

Fig. 9. Wind MPPT algorithm implementation in PSIM ® 9.1.3. [2]

Fig. 8. PV module – Equvivalent model.
The equivalent circuitry of a PV cell is shown in Fig. 8, in
which the simplest model can be represented by a current
source in antiparallel with a diode and the non-idealities are
represented by the insertion of the resistances Rs (series
resistance) and Rp (parallel resistance). The PV panel
simulation model is based on the output current of one PV
equivalent model, and its mathematical equation is represented
by equation 5;
(Algorithm reference) C0=1,C1=0.1, C2=0.09, where C0,C1,C2 are
constants
Results of MPPT for wind energy have derived for two cases;
sudden change in wind speed (hypothetical case) for checking
the algorithm for small changes and sudden change in wind
speed (real time practice) are shown as case I and case II
respectively.
Case I: Results of Sudden change in wind speed.

V + I .RS
I = I ph − I r .[e q.(V + I .RS ) /η .k .T − 1] −
RP (5)
Where, V represents the output PV voltage of one PV
panel, Iph is the photocurrent, Ir is the saturation current, q is
the electrical charge (1.6 × 10−19 C), η is the p-n junction
quality factor, k is the Boltzmann constant (1.38 × 10−23 J/K),
and T is the temperature (in Kelvin).
Fig. 10. Sudden change in wind speed in put pattern given to wind turbine
encircled in simulation model.

Fig. 11. Maximum output DC power.
Fig. 12. Maximum output DC power at MPP and mutipication of original
fluctuated power. (Scale on X axis 1div=2 seconds and on Y axis
1div=200Watt) (Dotted line shows the tracked MPPT and other curve
shows the actual Vdc*IL (DC voltage and inductor current mutiplication
before tracking))
Case II: Results of Variable change in wind speed
Fig. 13. Variable change in wind speed in put pattern given to wind turbine
encircled in simulation model.
Fig. 14. Maximum output DC power. (Scale on X axis 1div=10 seconds and
on Y axis 1div=100Watt)
In this algorithm wind energy conversion system is tested
under two different conditions as stated earlier. Fig. 9 shows
the simulation circuit of MPPT algorithm, wind for power
generation and solar for battery charging applications. In case
of maximum power point tracking in wind MPPT algorithm
DLL (Dynamic Link Library) block has been created in PSIM.
With the help of developed (proposed) algorithm by Zakariya
M. Dalala et al. in [4] is applied on the 20kW standalone wind
energy conversion system connected with PMSG. The wind
turbine model is used in PSIM to operate at test condition
(sudden change in wind speed) and practical conditions
(variable change in wind speed). Accordingly outputs are
observed at every conversion point. The algorithm suggest that
change in DC voltage across load that has observed indirect
detection of change in wind speed and again at new wind
speed new DC voltage level across load has been observed in
simulations. The boost converter is used to suitable boosting
of DC voltage. Current reference is compared with the actual
current at the end of each perturbation (change in wind speed).
Over here effect of blade pitch angle is omitted because this
may be useful for roof top application or at low wind regime.
In these situations the low wind speed has been observed. In
this simulation blade pitch angle (β) is taken as zero. The
scales are mentioned below at the end of figure description.
Fig. 15. Maximum output DC power at MPP and mutipication of original
fluctuated power. (Scale on X axis 1div=10 seconds and on Y axis
1div=200Watt) (Dotted line shows the tracked MPPT and other curve
shows the actual Vdc*IL (DC voltage and inductor current mutiplication
before tracking))
Fig. 10 shows the input wind pattern that has been predicted.
Fig. 11 and fig. 12 indicate the response of inductor current,
boosted DC voltage, output DC power and MPPT efficiency
respectively. (Boosted current and voltage multiplication and
superimposed curve of output power after MPPT measured by
Wattmeter).
Simulation of MPPT for Solar energy conversion systems, it’s
results and discussion:
Fig. 16 gives the basic idea of solar module used as a power
generation and track it’s MPPT; here 6 panels of 40W each
connected in series and 2 panels 40W each connected in
parallel. Switching pulses are generated through MPPT
algorithm of wind and solar. MPPT algorithm for wind is
proposed by algorithm by Zakariya M. Dalala et al. in [4] is
applied on the 20kW standalone wind energy conversion
system connected with PMSG in PSIM ® 9.0.1 software. The
solar MPPT P & O algorithm is used as under. Here as per fig.
18 reference signal has been changes accordingly, i.e. if load
or radiation changes. At every iteration there is a slight change
in refernce voltage. Here DC power generated has taken as a
perturbing variable and after that when given condition
satisfied DC voltage has also taken in consideration.

Fig. 16. MPPT control implmentation in PSIM ® 9.1.3 software using DLL
block.
Results of MPPT in Solar Energy Conversion System:
Fig. 17. MPPT efficiency (Pmax=Maximum power generated by modules and
PowerVI=Tracked power of solar PV module) and DC generated power
measured by wattmeter (at constant load and radiation).
In this case radiation is 1000 W/m2 is considered as a standard
radiation. Then DC power can be calculated using
multiplication of Vdc and Idc (Vcell and Icell in model), so this
power is compare with the previous power and it will track
MPPT accordingly. When the load is changed and radiation is
constant at that time tracking capability of algorithm has been
changed. This thing can compared in fig. 19 (Constant load
and constant radiation) and fig. 20 (Variable load and constant
radiation). The decay has been observed in the figure after
tracking capablity has been disturbed so that there is a decay
in MPPT efficiency.
Fig. 18. MPPT efficiency (Pmax=Maximum power generated by modules and
PowerVI=Tracked power of solar PV module) and DC generated power
measured by wattmeter (at variable load).
CONCLUSION
In this paper, MPPT algorithm for small-scale WECS and SP
module for power generation standalone application has been
simulated. In case of wind turbine, MPPT algorithm uses the
dc-side current as the perturbing variable and detects sudden
wind speed changes in directly through DC link voltage and
efficiency of algorithm is 80%. In case of solar PV simulation,
the maximum power is tracked with different conditions and
observing MPPT efficiency at different radiation levels is
nearly 98% and it will vary as the load will increase. If the
load will increase DC reference will try to track the maximum
power as much as possible with changing the reference value.
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