Enhancing the performance of wind energy conversion systems using unified power flow controller

Due to the low converters rating and cost of doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) along with its ability to function under variable wind speed, DFIG has been widely employed in wind energy conversion systems (WECSs). Unfortunately, the performance of DFIG is sensitive to the variation in the operating conditions and disturbance events at the grid side. This includes wind gust, voltage fluctuation and faults at the point of common coupling of the DFIG and the grid. In this study, a model-free adaptive control (MFAC) is developed for a unified power flow controller (UPFC) in order to improve the overall dynamic performance of a DFIG-based WECS during wind gusts and enhance the fault ride through capability of the DFIG during various disturbance events. The effective performance of the proposed controller is assessed through a comparison with a conventional proportional-integral (PI) controller optimised by a modified flower pollination algorithm. Results reveal the superiority of the proposed UPFC-MFAC technique over the conventional PI controller currently used in most of the UPFCWECS applications. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2020.