This paper details the development and simulation of a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm designed for small wind turbine (SWT) applications. The study focuses on an incremental duty cycle approach aimed at optimizing power extraction when integrated into a grid-connected DC microgrid environment. In this configuration, the MPPT controller monitors changes in the system's output power and adjusts the duty cycle of a DC-DC boost converter accordingly. This adjustment is intended to maintain the generator's operation at the maximum power point across a range of wind velocities.
The technical validation of the algorithm was conducted through simulations in Matlab/Simulink. The modeled system architecture consists of a small wind turbine driving a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG). The three-phase AC output of the PMSG is processed through a rectification stage before reaching the boost converter, which serves as the primary interface to a 400V DC-bus microgrid. The simulation parameters were configured to reflect real-world operating conditions, specifically focusing on the converter’s response to fluctuating wind inputs. The results presented in this work illustrate the tracking performance and stability of the incremental duty cycle method. By analyzing the power output and duty cycle transitions, the paper provides a technical assessment of how this control strategy supports efficient power delivery within a DC microgrid framework.
