Optimum seeking-based non-linear controller to maximise energy capture in a variable speed wind turbine

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© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Published 30/07/2012

Abstract

In this study, an optimum seeking-based robust non-linear controller is proposed to maximise wind energy captured by variable speed wind turbines at low-to-medium wind speeds. The proposed strategy simultaneously controls the blade pitch angle and tip-speed ratio, through the turbine rotor angular speed, to an optimal point at which the power coefficient, and hence the wind turbine efficiency, is maximum. The optimal points are given to the controller by an optimisation algorithm that seeks the unknown optimal blade pitch angle and rotor speed. The control method allows for aerodynamic rotor power maximisation without exact knowledge of the wind turbine model. A representative numerical simulation is presented to show that the wind turbine can be accurately controlled to achieve maximum energy capture.

Inspec keywords: angular velocity control; numerical analysis; aerodynamics; rotors; optimisation; blades; wind turbines; power generation control; robust control; wind power; nonlinear control systems

Other keywords: wind energy capture maximisation; optimisation algorithm; aerodynamic rotor power maximisation; power coefficient; variable speed wind turbine; blade pitch angle control; wind turbine efficiency; turbine rotor angular speed; tip-speed ratio; low-to-medium wind speed; optimum seeking based robust nonlinear controller; numerical simulation

Subjects: Stability in control theory; Control of electric power systems; Wind power plants; Fluid mechanics and aerodynamics (mechanical engineering); Optimisation; Nonlinear control systems; Velocity, acceleration and rotation control; Optimisation techniques; Mechanical components; Power and plant engineering (mechanical engineering); Optimisation techniques; Numerical analysis

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