Power capture optimization of a wind energy conversion system using a backstepping integral sliding mode control

In this paper, a nonlinear robust controller is designed for a variable speed wind turbine (VSWT). The main objective of the controller is to maximize the captured wind energy with reduced oscillations on the drive train. At below rated wind speed, the control input is the generator torque that depends on the reference rated speed which is derived from the effective wind speed. Furthermore, the uncertainties and external disturbances is the main design problem of controller. In order to overcome this problem, Backstepping integral Sliding Mode Control approach (BISMC) is proposed in this study; the control performance of BISMC was compared with Integral Sliding Mode Control (ISMC) through different wind speed profiles. Compared to the existing controllers, the effectiveness of the proposed controller is shown with simulations.