With the increased penetration of wind energy on modern power systems, Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) are required to participate actively in capturing the maximum wind energy and operating electric networks through a suitable control strategy. This paper provides the design and implementation of control strategies for Fully Controlled Power Electronic Converter (FCPEC) associated with a Variable Low-speed Wind Turbine (VLSWT) system. The considered system consists of a Wind Turbine (WT) and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) that are linked to the grid via an FCPEC. The control schemes of the FCPEC include a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm, a Machine Side Converter (MSC) control, and a Grid Side Inverter (GSI) control. To validate the effectiveness of the implemented control strategies, the considered system was modelled and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink under Malaysia wind speed profiles (2 m/s - 6 m/s). The simulation results proved that the MPPT algorithm and MSC control have successfully forced WT to operate at the optimal power coefficient of 0.44 further improved the maximum power available from the wind system that can be obtained. Besides, the results showed the capability of the GSI controller in improving the system performance in both steady-state and disturbance operating conditions. The dc-link voltage regulation and power integration to grid, with a unity power factor regardless of wind speed variation, were successfully accomplished.
