Reduced converter topology for integrated wind and small hydro energy generation system
This study presents a robust and cost effective microgrid topology for integrating two commonly available wind and small hydro renewable energy sources. The proposed topology has two generators, one of them is self excited squirrel cage induction generator driven by a small hydro turbine and other one is permanent magnet brushless DC generator driven by a small scale wind turbine. The proposed system is integrated using a voltage source converter and a boost converter which are maintaining voltage and frequency, mitigating power quality problems and performing mechanical sensorless maximum power point tracking, respectively. A battery bank is also used to balance the load and supply power mismatch and to ensure the supply for critical loads. The proposed control algorithm is tested and verified on a developed laboratory prototype of the system. Test results verify that voltage and frequency of the system are regulated and the power quality related issues are also resolved in this microgrid.