Power Conversion System for Grid Connected Micro Hydro Power System with Maximum Power Point Tracking

This research analyzed and simulated an electrical power conversion system for a grid-connected variable speed micro hydro turbine (MHT) system. Different from traditional hydro power systems, the MHT is running at variable speed condition with permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). To decouple the relationship between the generator rotation speed and the output frequency, rectifier and DC boost converter is developed to maintain the output voltage when the generator is rotating in a low speed. The reference generator speed is given by the perturbation and observation maximum power point algorithm to extract more energy from the micro hydro turbine. The grid connected inverter converts the power from the DC side to the grid with a D-Q frame control. If the generator speed is high enough, the inverter will directly control the generator speed.