A composite linear state-space controller was developed for a multi-objective problem in the variable-speed operation of wind turbines. Disturbance Tracking Control theory was applied to the design of a torque controller to optimize energy capture under the influence of persistent wind disturbances. A limitation in the theory for common multi-state models is described; this led to the design of a complementary pitch controller. The goal of the independent blade pitch design was to minimize blade root fatigue loads. A SymDyn model of a two-bladed, 600-kW machine was used for the simulation studies. Results indicate a 24% reduction in blade fatigue damage using the proposed controllers, compared to a conventional torque-only design. However, energy capture was not improved as much as expected, partly due to nonlinearity effects degrading the performance of the state-space estimator design. Tower base fatigue damage was shown to decrease significantly using active pitch.
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November 2003
Technical Papers
Disturbance Tracking Control and Blade Load Mitigation for Variable-Speed Wind Turbines
Karl A. Stol
Karl A. Stol
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401-3393
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Karl A. Stol
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401-3393
Contributed by the Solar Energy Division of THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS for publication in the ASME JOURNAL OF SOLAR ENERGY ENGINEERING. Manuscript received by the ASME Solar Energy Division, March 3 2003; final revision, June 30, 2003. Associate Editor: D. Berg.
J. Sol. Energy Eng. Nov 2003, 125(4): 396-401 (6 pages)
Published Online: November 26, 2003
Article history
Received:
March 3, 2003
Revised:
June 30, 2003
Online:
November 26, 2003
Citation
Stol, K. A. (November 26, 2003). "Disturbance Tracking Control and Blade Load Mitigation for Variable-Speed Wind Turbines ." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. November 2003; 125(4): 396–401. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1628678
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