Maximum Power-Point Tracking Control Using Perturb and Observe Algorithm for Tidal Current Generation System

Because wind turbines and tidal current generation rely on irregular wind or tidal speed, maximum power-point tracking (MPPT) control is required in order to generate maximum turbine power. The most common turbine generation is obtained by employing the MPPT scheme using the tip speed ratio (TSR). However, this scheme has a disadvantage in that it relies on the characteristics of tidal current turbines, and it requires expensive tidal current speed-measurement equipment. The tidal current speed measurement is also affected by the installed location and distance to the equipment. To avoid these disadvantages, this paper proposes the maximum power control scheme using perturb and observe (P&O) for tidal current generation systems. The proposed P&O MPPT scheme can generate maximum power regardless of the characteristics of the turbine and the information about the tidal current speed. The reliability and suitability of the proposed scheme are proven using simulation and experiment results at the tidal current generation laboratory in Jin-do, South Korea.