ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the wind generator systems, their characteristics, the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) system, and the method of total efficiency calculation of wind generators. Wind energy conversion systems have become a focal point in research of renewable energy sources. A wind generator (WG) is a device that generates electrical power from wind energy. The chapter explores the MPPT system in the case of variable-speed wind generator systems. The MPPT process is based on monitoring the WG output power using measurements of the WG output voltage and current and directly adjusting the Direct Current (DC) direct current-to-DC converter duty cycle according to the result of comparison between successive WG output power values. The system is built around a high-efficiency DC-to-DC converter and a low-cost microcontroller unit, which can easily perform additional operations such as battery-charging management or control of additional renewable energy sources.
