Energy capture maximization on variablespeed wind turbines through generalized proportional integral control

Abstract

This paper proposes an alternative linear control technique to maximize the energy capture in a horizontal-axis wind turbine. The proposed strategy is based on Generalized Proportional Integral (GPI) controllers supported by the active disturbance rejection approach, which allows asymptotic tracking of a rotor speed reference trajectory without exact wind turbine model knowledge. The proposed methodology controls the tip-speed ratio, via the rotor angular speed, to an optimum point at which power coef?cient is maximum. Several simulations are performed on a 4.8MW wind turbine benchmark model in order to validate the proposed control strategy and to compare it to a classical controller. The simulation results show that the proposed control strategies are effective in terms of power capture and robustness.