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newbie-from-pa
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Joined: 20/06/2008
Location: United States
Posts: 8

Posted: 06:31pm 03 Jul 2008

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Grettings to all

Can a mppt type controller be used to optimize power generated by a windmill?

GWatPE

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Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127

Posted: 11:29pm 03 Jul 2008

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I aasume you mean a MPPT designed for solar? NO.

I have developed a component[look under the electronics heading] that matches the windmill to the load for varying windmill outputs and within a range of load voltages. This could be used with a Buck type solar MPPT to match a higher voltage system to a lower voltage battery.

The solar type MPPT is used as an efficient DC-DC converter only. Windmill output power is of a completely different nature to a solar panel. The windmill has varying volts and amps with wind power, and this has to be first converted to at least one variable constant, usually voltage, and the amps vary with the power level only. This is the function of the boost cct I employ on my windmill.

The system voltage determines component values, but the cct function remains the same.

This is not a commercial unit. There are still some other people exploring alternatives. I hope to publish performance data for my system and some suggestions on how it could be incorporated into an existing wind RE system.

There is really no reason why a windmill that is turning, at any RPM in wind sufficient to provide at least 2W of shaft power and at least 5V generated volts, up to 500W max output should not provide current to a battery at an amount proportional to the wind energy. The design I have could be scaled, but at the moment is configured for my setup.

I am hoping to find a way of making this available in a form that can be utilized by a DIY, or as a commercial unit. An inductor based flyback boost electronic design, is reasonably simple to make. I am looking at a way that a dedicated type plugable IC could be supplied that performed the necessary sensing and controlling. This would be like a preprogrammed switchmode controller chip. External scaling of system voltage and current sensing and output drive level and current could be needed only. There is no complicated feedback needed.

I am looking at a 1kW system to interface directly with a solar type grid tied inverter. .. .. Gordon.

become more energy aware

mattvenn
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Joined: 31/03/2009
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Posts: 22

Posted: 08:47pm 28 Apr 2009

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Gordon, how is your mppt diy stuff going?

I've just started a blog and wiki on the projects I'm working on. openrenewables.org.uk

What I'd really like to do is get some more expertise on hand for an open hardware wind/solar/hydro charge controller project. Interested?

Cheers,

Matthew

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