The performance of the wind solar complementary controller is related to multiple factors, including:
1、 Hardware related factors
Circuit design quality
Good circuit design is the foundation. For example, using high-precision analog-to-digital conversion circuits (ADCs) can more accurately measure input parameters of wind and solar power, such as voltage, current, etc. Advanced circuit topology can effectively reduce energy loss and improve conversion efficiency.
For the power circuit part, the performance of its switching devices is crucial. Using high-quality MOSFETs (metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors) or IGBTs (insulated gate bipolar transistors) as switching elements can achieve fast and stable power conversion, reduce switching losses, and withstand high voltages and currents, adapting to wind solar complementary power generation systems of different power levels.
Component quality
Capacitors and inductors: In the controller, capacitors and inductors are used for filtering and energy storage. High quality capacitors, such as electrolytic capacitors and ceramic capacitors, have lower equivalent series resistance (ESR), which can reduce energy loss in the capacitor itself and improve system stability. When the quality factor (Q value) of an inductor is high, its energy storage and filtering effects are better. For example, in DC-DC conversion circuits, appropriate inductors can smooth the output current and reduce ripple.
Sensors: Accurate sensors are the key to obtaining accurate data. For example, the accuracy of current sensors and voltage sensors directly affects the monitoring of input and output parameters of wind and solar power generation systems. High precision Hall effect sensors can accurately measure the magnitude of current and have good linearity and anti-interference ability, providing reliable data support for the control algorithm of the controller.
Heat dissipation design
During the operation of the wind solar complementary controller, the power devices generate heat. If the heat dissipation is poor, it can lead to a decrease in device performance or even damage. Effective heat dissipation design includes reasonable selection and layout of heat sinks. For high-power controllers, aluminum heat sinks are usually used to improve heat dissipation efficiency by increasing the surface area of the heat sink. Moreover, in the design of the radiator, the air circulation path should be considered to ensure good natural convection or forced air cooling effect, so that the controller can operate within a suitable temperature range.
Protection level
Outdoor wind solar complementary controllers face various harsh environments. The protection level (such as IP65, IP67, etc.) reflects the dustproof and waterproof capabilities of the controller. A higher protection level means that the controller can effectively prevent dust from entering the internal circuit, avoiding faults such as short circuits caused by dust accumulation. At the same time, it can also resist the intrusion of moisture such as rainwater and dew, ensuring normal operation in humid environments. For example, in coastal areas or rainy mountainous regions, using controllers with high protection levels can greatly improve the reliability of the system.
2、 Software and control algorithm factors
Progressiveness of control strategy
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm: This is one of the core algorithms of wind solar complementary controllers. Excellent MPPT algorithms can track the maximum power point of wind and solar power in real-time, ensuring that the power generation system always operates at its highest efficiency. For example, the commonly used incremental conductance method (INC) MPPT algorithm can quickly and accurately find the maximum power point of photovoltaic cells, and can adjust the working point in a timely manner when the light intensity and temperature change, improving the power generation efficiency of photovoltaic cells. For the wind power sector, there is also a similar torque speed control strategy to achieve maximum power capture.
Load matching control: The controller needs to adjust the output power according to the characteristics of the load. For example, for DC or AC loads of different powers (connected through an inverter), the controller can automatically adjust the output voltage and current to achieve optimal load matching and improve energy utilization efficiency.
Stability and reliability of software
The quality of software code directly affects the performance of the controller. Software that has been thoroughly tested and optimized can avoid program crashes, dead loops, and other malfunctions. In complex environmental conditions, such as areas with strong electromagnetic interference, stable software can ensure the normal operation of the controller. For example, by using programming languages and structures with strong anti-interference capabilities, effective handling of possible abnormal situations (such as input signal mutations, communication interruptions, etc.) can be carried out to ensure the robustness of the system.
Communication functions and protocols
Some wind solar complementary controllers have communication functions, which can transmit the operating data of the system to the upper computer or monitoring system. The compatibility and communication speed of communication protocols affect the quality and efficiency of data transmission. For example, using the standard Modbus communication protocol can facilitate communication between the controller and other devices (such as computers, remote monitoring terminals), allowing operators to remotely monitor the system’s operating status, including power generation, battery charging and discharging status, etc., facilitating timely detection of problems and maintenance.
3、 Input energy characteristic factors
Stability of wind and solar resources
The stability of solar and wind energy has a significant impact on the performance of controllers. Frequent changes in light intensity (such as cloud cover) and fluctuations in wind speed can lead to unstable input power. The controller needs to have fast response capability and be able to adjust the control strategy in a timely manner according to changes in input power. For example, when the light intensity suddenly decreases, the controller should quickly adjust the operating point of the photovoltaic cell, reduce the output power, and allocate the charging and discharging power of the battery reasonably to ensure the stable operation of the entire system.
The complementarity of wind and solar resources
The advantage of the wind solar complementary system lies in the complementarity of wind and solar energy. The controller needs to fully utilize this complementarity to improve system performance. For example, during the day when there is sufficient sunlight, solar energy is mainly used for power generation, and the controller prioritizes using the electricity generated by photovoltaics for load power supply or battery charging; At night or on cloudy days, the wind power sector plays a major role, and the controller should schedule wind power resources reasonably to ensure the continuous power supply of the system. If the controller cannot effectively utilize this complementarity, it may lead to energy waste or unstable system power supply.