Renewable energy sources are rapidly becoming integral to the global electricity mix as countries seek to reduce carbon emissions and address rising energy demands. Among the various forms of renewable energy, wind energy stands out due to its cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Recent advancements have led to innovative technologies such as dual rotor wind turbines, which promise higher efficiency and power output. To fully realize these benefits, effective control strategies are key. A new study has proposed a control strategy for doubly-fed induction generators (DFIGs) utilized with these contra-rotational wind turbine systems, significantly enhancing power quality.
At the heart of this study is the Indirect Vector Control based on Super-Twisting Sliding Mode Control (IVC-STSMC) strategy. The IVC-STSMC approach introduces novel techniques for controlling the DFIG's operation, helping minimize fluctuations and improve the overall power quality. Standard methods of control, particularly the traditional indirect vector control (IVC), face difficulties due to their susceptibility to changes in system parameters, resulting in poor performance during variable conditions. The IVC-STSMC method overcomes these challenges by utilizing fuzzy logic and super-twisting control to achieve significant improvements.
The primary goal of the research was to tackle the power and torque ripples associated with DFIGs, which are detrimental to power quality and efficiency. After implementing the IVC-STSMC approach with a 1.5 MW DFIG and conducting both simulations and experimental validations, results demonstrated noteworthy enhancements. The proposed strategy achieved up to 98% reduction in torque fluctuations and response times, setting a new benchmark compared to conventional IVC methods.
Notably, the study utilized MATLAB for simulating the control strategy and confirmed its efficacy through hardware-in-the-loop tests. During the experiments, the researchers were able to reduce the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of the current significantly, showing improvements of 18.02% and 16.22% across various tests when compared to conventional methods.
These findings highlight the practical application of the IVC-STSMC strategy, paving the way for its use not only within the renewables sector but also across various industrial applications. Its promising results indicate potential for more substantial integration of dual rotor turbines and other innovative systems aimed at improving electrical power quality.
The rising complexity of energy systems necessitates advanced control strategies, and the IVC-STSMC offers new insights and methods for achieving higher efficiency. The integration of these strategies is particularly important as energy demands grow and the reliance on renewable sources increases, emphasizing the need for systems capable of adapting to variable conditions without compromising performance.
This research signifies not only advancements within the technical domain but also poses new opportunities to address broader energy issues, fostering sustainability, improving energy conversion effectiveness, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions through innovative renewable technologies.