Summary
To eliminate problems of traditional perturb and observe (TPO) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) relying on large scale variable speed wind energy conversion system (VS‐WECS), this paper suggests a variable step size perturb and observe (VS‐PO) MPPT algorithm. The VS‐PO technique is performed to split the power‐speed (P‐ω) curve with four segments every with a particular step size. A large step size is chosen for the two segments distant from the MPP. Otherwise, a smaller step size can be implemented. The proposed algorithm can achieve the maximum power without large oscillations and reduce the settling time under different wind speed conditions, which means high tracking efficiency. Moreover, the model reference adaptive control (MRC) is applied instead of a PI controller to regulate the rotor speed, which maximizes the extracted power. Also, the MRC successful for reducing the large oscillation and settling time compared with the PI controller. The suggested control technique is tested over a 1.5 MW DFIG WECS by MATLAB/Simulink software.