This paper proposes a new control strategy for an optimal extraction of output power from stand-alone windmill systems. The system consists of a variable-speed wind turbine directly coupled to a PMSG (permanent magnet synchronous generator), a diode bridge rectifier, a DC-to-DC boost converter, and a battery bank. This control method, with its higher speed, directly creates a control signal for handling DC-to-DC converters. Adding an ESN (echo state network) to this method can result in extracting maximum power from the wind turbine without measuring the wind speed. This system is then simulated using MATLAB-SIMULINK software. The obtained simulation results show that the objective of extracting maximum power from the wind is reached. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.