Dual channel controller for applying MPPT to an array of turbines

A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed by at least one processor cause the at least one processor to perform operations for dual-channel fluid turbine control, the operations comprising:

• receiving, via an AC channel coupled to an AC output of a fluid turbine, first signals indicating fluctuations in power generated by the fluid turbine operating beneath a grid power supply threshold;
• accessing a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) protocol;
• determining a correspondence between the first signals and a portion of the MPPT protocol;
• applying the portion of the MPPT protocol to a generator of the fluid turbine to generate greater power than would be generated in an absence of application of the portion of the MPPT protocol, wherein the generated power is stored as energy in a capacitor associated with the generator;
• receiving, via a DC channel, second signals indicating a level of energy stored in the capacitor;
• and
• using the second signals to determine when to release the stored energy.

A method for dual-channel control of a fluid turbine, the method comprising:

• receiving, via an AC channel coupled to an AC output of the fluid turbine, first signals indicating fluctuations in power generated by the fluid turbine operating beneath a grid power supply threshold;
• accessing a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) protocol;
• determining a correspondence between the first signals and a portion of the MPPT protocol;
• applying the portion of the MPPT protocol to a generator of the fluid turbine to generate greater power than would be generated in an absence of application of the portion of the MPPT protocol, wherein the generated power is stored as energy in a capacitor associated with the generator;
• receiving, via a DC channel, second signals indicating a level of energy stored in the capacitor;
• and
• using the second signals to determine when to release the stored energy.