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Energy Procedia 18 (2012) 701 708

Modeling and simulation of windgenerator with fixed speed wind

turbine under Matlab-Simulink
a

Djohra Saheb-Koussa ,b Mourad Haddadi ,a Maiouf Belhamel,aMustapha koussa &aSaid noureddine

a

Renewable Energy Development Center, Observatory road Postal box 62 Bouzareah Algiers, Algeria
Fax: 213 (21) 90 16 54. Tl: 213 (21) 90 15 03
Email: dkoussa@cder.dz , mkoussa@cder.dz saidnouredine@cder.dz
b
Ecole nationale polytechnique Hassan bady El Harrach Alger
Email : mourad.haddadi@gmail.com

Abstract.
The rapidly growing wind industry is highly expressing the need for education and training worldwide, particularly on the
system level. Modelling and simulating windgenerator system using Matlab-Simulink provides expert help in understanding
wind systems engineering and system design. Working under Matlab-Simulink we present the integration of the developed
WECS model with public electrical grid. A test of the calculated power and Cp related to the experimental equivalent data,
using statistical analysis is performed. The statistical indicators of accuracy show better results of the presented method with
RMSE: 21%, 22%, MBE : 0.77%, 0.12 % and MAE :3%, 4%.On the other hand we study its behaviour when integrated in
whole power system . Three level of wind speeds have been chosen : low with 5m/s as the mean value, medium with 8m/s as
the mean value and high speed with 12m/s as the mean value. These allowed predicting and supervising the active power
produced by the system, characterized respectively by the middle powers of -150 kW, -250kW and -480 kW which will be
injected directly into the public electrical grid and the reactive power, characterized respectively by the middle powers of 60
kW, 180 kW and 320 kW and will be consumed by the windgenerator.
Key words: Modelling; Simulation; Windgenerator, fixed speed wind turbine; Matlab-Simulink.

1.

INTRODUCTION

Wind power is rapidly becoming a mature industry as performance of wind energy conversion system (WECS)
and leverage of large-scale industrial production steadily decrease cost. Measures taken by governments and
other agencies to subsidize the costs of electricity installation and regulations in several countries [1] concerning
the purchase of electricity produced by grid-connected systems are promoting public awareness and the
widespread use of environmentally friendly wind electricity.
To convert wind power into electricity, many types of generator concepts have been used and proposed [2,3].
The main wind turbine generators can be grouped into 2 classes: variable and fixed speed [4-7]. The main
difference is the electrical system where variablespeed wind turbine is more complicated than fixed-speed
wind turbine. The fixed-speed wind turbine has the advantage of being simple, robust and reliable and wellproven. And the cost of its electrical parts is low [8].
Today, the V47-660 kW (fixed-speed wind turbine) model is still a popular turbine that exploits the power of the
wind reliably and efficiently wherever it was erected. Turbines in this model currently operate in locations as
diverse as New Zealand, California, Spain, Germany and South Korea , and in many other places where there is
a demand for profitable wind power [9].
The objective of this work is to contribute to the topic of fixed speed wind turbine modeling by the development
of models for representing the dynamic behaviour of power systems. This paper presents equivalent models of
every part constituting the windgenerator system with fixed speed wind turbine connected to grid. The
windgenerator model modeled and simulated is the V47-660 kW cited below. Using Matlab Simulink
environment in model development features high flexibility and makes it possible to adapt the model to what
ever was needed[12-15]. The developed models have been validated by simulations in which the responses of the
developed and the experimental [9] windgenerator system have been compared and its behavior for three wind
speed level: low, medium and high [16] have been established.
The paper is structured as follows. Section 2 presents the developed model and describes Matlab-Simulink
blocks for grid connected wind system especially Vestas 660-47 windgenerator, based on the particular
requirements of power system dynamics simulations. Section 3 depicts the simulation results obtained by
comparing the power and Cp curves obtained by wind turbine developed model to the equivalent one calculated
on basis of CA63.600 and FFA-W35[9] airfoil on the one hand and on the other hand its behavior for three
wind speed level: low, medium and high. Finally, conclusions are presented in section 4.

1876-6102 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of The TerraGreen Society.
doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2012.05.085

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Djohra Saheb-Koussa et al. / Energy Procedia 18 (2012) 701 708

2.

DYNAMIC MODEL

In dynamic studies the objective of the model is to represent the dynamic behaviour of the wind energy
conversion system (WECS) allowing power quality characterization. The developed model consists of various
subsystems, mainly the wind turbine (WT), the related block (RB), the drive drain system (DD), asynchronous
machine (AM), Park transformers (PT), the three- phase grid(TPG) and the inverse Park transformation(IPT). In
this chapter, these subsystems are described (see Fig. 1). This schematic diagram may vary from windgenerator
to windgenerator due to different generator type (asynchronous, synchronous) especially the circuitry connecting
the windgenerator to the three-phase grid which can have two various form (direct or indirect grid connection).
In the present study case the generator was connected directly to the three-phase alternating current grid. This
configuration was simple and according to the literature [1] &, [9], it was mainly used in practice.
V

Va

Vb

vd

Wam

Tmas

isd

Tt

T't

Wam

Wt

WIND speed

Vb

PT

Tt

Tam

vq

Vc

Vc

WS

isq

Va

Wam

RB

AP
Vsd,Vsq

TPG

Wt

T't
RP

WT

AM

Scope

DD

is

isd

isa
isb

isq

isc

IPT

Scope1

Fig. 1. Global system structure

Wind turbine dynamics model
Using, the experimental data given by the manufacturer [9], summarized in the steady power curve and Cp curve
and related to VESTAS 47-660 windgenerator [9], these two parameters are approximated using a simple
polynomial interpolation as follows:

P(v)=4240-4727v-2194v-562v3+88.5v4-8.91v5+0.585v6-0.0249v7+6.64 10-4 v8

(4)

Cp(v)=1.1072-1.2698v-0.493v-0.0008v3+0.0781v4-4.27 10-4v5+1.37 10-5v6-2.44 10-7v7+1.83

10-9 v8
(5)
Thus, the WT block simulates the operation of the wind turbine system (see Fig. 1). This block evaluates the
mechanical torque (Tt) and requires as inputs the turbine angular speed t and the wind speed v.
Concerning, the different other parts constituting the WECS the same classical equations used in the most
literature [14,15] is used in the present study.
3. Simulation cases and results
A. Model validation
The simplified model described in section 2.1 has been validated by comparing its power and Cp responses to
the corresponding ones calculated on basis of NACA63.600 and FFA-W3 airfoil data[9]. Thus, Fig. 2(a-b)
shows the evolution of the fit and the experimental data.
To test the quality of the fit to the experimental data, statistical analysis of the results was performed. The root
mean squared error (RMSE), the mean bias error (MBE) and the mean absolute error (MAE) are the fundamental
measures of accuracy using the calculated power or Cp and the experimental power or Cp for each v(i).
Table below resumes the obtained results. So, the statistical indicators of accuracy show better results of the
presented method.

* Corresponding author. Tel.:21321901503; fax:213901654.

E-mail address:dkoussa@cder.dz.

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Djohra Saheb-Koussa et al. / Energy Procedia 18 (2012) 701 708

900
Correlated data
Real data

Mechanical power [kw]

700

0.4

Cp

Correlated data
Real data

800

0.5

0.3

0.2

600
500
400
300
200

0.1

100
0

10
15
Wind speed[m/s]

20

25

a)

10
15
Wind speed[m/s]

20

25

b)
Fig. 2. Real and correlated curves a) Cp(V) b) P(V)
Table 1. MBE, RMSE and MAE between the simulating and the experimental P (v) and Cp(v)
Parameters
P (v)
Cp (v)
RMSE (%)

0.2133

0.2215

MBE (%)

0.0077

0.0012

MAE (%)

0.0289

0.0432

As an example, Fig. 3(a-d), Fig. 4 (a-b) and Fig. 5 show the results of simulation, corresponding in the Fig. 3(ad) to, the evolution of the used wind speed from 3m/s to 24m/s, the produced mechanical power, the mechanical
torque and the turbine angular speed, in the Fig. 4 (a-b) to, the rotational speed and the electromagnetic torque
and in the Fig. 5 to the three phases stator currents.

a)

b)

c)

d)

Fig. 3 The wind turbine results a) the evolution of the used wind speed from 3m/s to 24m/s b) the produced
mechanical power c) the mechanical torque d) the turbine angular speed.
* Corresponding author. Tel.:21321901503; fax:213901654.
E-mail address:dkoussa@cder.dz.

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Djohra Saheb-Koussa et al. / Energy Procedia 18 (2012) 701 708

a)
b)
Fig. 4 The generator results a) the rotational speed b) the electromagnetic torque

Fig. 5. The three phases stator currents.

Model behaviour for three level wind speeds
After validating the used models in the previous paragraph and in order to verify the usefulness of the developed
models, a study of its behavior, when integrated in whole power system was needed. Three level wind speeds has
been chosen i.e: low with 5m/s as the mean value, medium with 8m/s as the mean value and high one with 12m/s
as the mean value( see Fig. 6), to represent the active power produced by the system.
The responses of the proposed model to the three wind speeds level are presented respectively from Fig. 7 to 9.
Fig. 7(a) to 9(a) represent the evolution of the produced active power, while Fig. 7(b) to 9(b) the evolution of
the consummate reactive power, Fig. 7(c) to 9(c) the evolution of the rotational speed, Fig. 7(d) to 9(d) the
evolution of the electromagnetic torque, Fig. 7(e) to 9(e) the evolution of the turbine angular speed and Fig. 7(e)
to 9(e) the evolution of the mechanical torque. For low wind speed (Fig. 7), medium wind speed (Fig. 8) and
high wind speed (Fig. 9).

a) Low wind speed

b) medium wind speed

c) High wind speed
Fig. 6.Trend of the considered wind speed in simulation

* Corresponding author. Tel.:21321901503; fax:213901654.

E-mail address:dkoussa@cder.dz.

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Djohra Saheb-Koussa et al. / Energy Procedia 18 (2012) 701 708

Fig. 7. Fixed-speed wind turbine simulation results for low level wind speed a)The produced Active power b)
The consummate reactive power c) the rotational speed d) The electromagnetic torque e) The turbine angular
speed f) The mechanical torque.

b)
a)

d)

e)

c)

f)

Fig. 8. Fixed-speed wind turbine simulation results for medium level wind speed a) The produced active power
b) The consummate reactive power c) the rotational speed d) The electromagnetic torque e) The turbine angular
speed f) The mechanical torque.
* Corresponding author. Tel.:21321901503; fax:213901654.
E-mail address:dkoussa@cder.dz.

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Djohra Saheb-Koussa et al. / Energy Procedia 18 (2012) 701 708

a)
b)

c)

e)

f)

d)

Fig. 9. Fixed-speed wind turbine simulation results for high level wind speed a)The produced Active power b)
The consummate reactive power c) the rotational speed d) The electromagnetic torque e) The turbine angular
speed f) The mechanical torque.
INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
From results presented from Fig. 2 to Fig. 9, the following can be noted:
From the Fig. 2, it can be concluded that the output power and Cp data calculated by the program and
obtained from experimental work are closely the same. This also means that the accuracy of the developed
MATLAB-SIMULINK for the WTIG system simulation is significant, which is furthermore confirmed by the
statistical indicators presented in Table 1.
The Fig. 3(b, c, d) validates the turbine model for wind speeds varying from 3m/s to 24m/s (see Fig. 3
(a)). Thus, its observed that the mechanical power, the mechanical torque and the turbine angular speed vary in
the same direction. So, it can be concluded that the mechanical torque and the turbine angular speed are the
image of the mechanical power.
Fig 4 (a, b) and Fig. 5 show the simulation results of the asynchronous generator operation process.
Recall that initially the machine is running at 1500 rpm and the stator current Isq and Isd are taken equal to zero.
Thus, Figure 4 (a, b) describe the rotational speed and the electromagnetic torque profile during both phases of
operation (start and load). When booting, the asynchronous machine has the motor operation mode where the
couple is positive. The latter undergoes oscillations (interference) that reach a maximum value of 3000Nm
before it stabilizes at the value of 1900Nm to ensure startup. At time "t = 60 ms, Applying a load change when
the speed of the turbine rotor is slightly above the synchronism speed SS=157,471rd /s, with p the number of
pole pairs machine, will then function as the generator mode and the couple goes to negative values for couples
overcome resistance after sudden fluctuation to reach a value of 4000Nm. Thus, the found results recover the
expected space for the electromagnetic torque depending on the rotor turbine speed (RTS). For a lower RTS<
SS, the machine operates as a motor, and for RTS> SS, it works as a generator.
Fig. 5 represents the evolution of the stator current. It highlights an important call at the start current reaching the
value of 242.4A which corresponds to a required electromagnetic torque to overcome the resistive torques in the
* Corresponding author. Tel.:21321901503; fax:213901654.
E-mail address:dkoussa@cder.dz.

Djohra Saheb-Koussa et al. / Energy Procedia 18 (2012) 701 708

machine (inertia, viscous friction loss and ventilation). After disappearance of the transitional regime, the current
oscillates with amplitude of 216.4A which corresponds to the steady state. Following the load change at time
"t=60ms, the current swings away until it reaches a value of 628A.
The shape study representing the evolution of the active power versus time in Figure 7 (a), 8 (a) and 9
(a) are characterized respectively by the middle powers of -150 kW, -250kW and -480 kW and the evolution of
the reactive power versus time in Figure 7 (b), 8 (b) and 9 (b) are characterized respectively by the middle
powers of 60kW, 180 kW and 320 kW. This result is a consequence of the turbine mechanical torque (Figure 7
(f), 8 (f) and 9 (f)) which is largely sufficient to cause the induction machine. Regarding, the rotational speed
(Fig. 7 (c), 8 (c) and 9 (c)), its found that for each type of wind speed studied it remains above 1500 rpm (157rd/
s) (speed corresponding to the synchronous speed imposed by the network and the corresponding number of pole
pairs). The average values are 166rd/s, 178rd/s and 197rd/s (respectively for the three types of wind speed
considered) or for the windgenerator studied, the rotational speed should not exceed 172.7rd/s. This difference
reflects the non accurate electrical and mechanical parameters used which were not obtained experimentally.
Regarding the variation of developments in the electromechanical torque its found that the average values
obtained are: -600 Nm, and -1700Nm -3300 Nm respectively by low wind speed (Figure 7 (d)), mean wind
speed (Figure 8 (d)) and high wind speed (Fig. 9 (d)) which confirms the generator mode of operation of the
three ranges of the considered wind speed.
3. CONCLUSION
This paper proposes a methodology to modeling and simulating a windgenerator with fixed speed wind turbine
by Matlab/Simulink, using Simulink library browser concept. Models built in this study are easy to be
understood by students and engineers. The integration of the developed WECS model with the public electrical
grid was presented in the paper. Test of the calculated power and Cp quality to the experimental equivalent data,
using statistical analysis was performed. So, the statistical indicators of accuracy show better results of the
presented method with RMSE: 21%, 22%, MBE : 0.77%, 0.12 % and MAE :3%, 4%.
After validating the developed models used and in order to verify its usefulness, a study of its behaviour when
integrated in whole power system was needed. Three level wind speeds has been chosen i.e: low with 5m/s as the
mean value, medium with 8m/s as the mean value and high with 12m/s as the mean value. These allowed
predicting and supervising the active power produced by the system, characterized respectively by the middle
powers of -150 kW, -250kW and -480 kW which will be injected directly into the public electrical grid and the
reactive power, characterized respectively by the middle powers of 60 kW, 180 kW and 320 kW which will be
consumed by the windgenerator. All these predictions are in agreement with field observations as reported in the
literature [9], [16].
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* Corresponding author. Tel.:21321901503; fax:213901654.
E-mail address:dkoussa@cder.dz.

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* Corresponding author. Tel.:21321901503; fax:213901654.

E-mail address:dkoussa@cder.dz.