Title :
Improved speed regulation and mitigation of drive-train torsion fatigue in flexible wind turbines, using disturbance utilization control: Part two
Author :
Parker, Glenn A. ; Johnson, C.D.
Author_Institution :
Huntsville Res. Lab., Georgia Tech Res. Inst., Huntsville, AL
Abstract :
Modern wind turbines are experiencing rapid growth in both physical size and rated capacity. As wind turbines grow larger with necessarily lighter construction materials, dampening flexible modes with active control becomes more critical. In this paper we apply the theory of ldquodisturbance utilization controlrdquo (DUC) to a 600 kW upwind machine to dampen drive-train torsion while regulating generator speed. We show that positive ldquoutilityrdquo exists in turbulent wind inflow, and we demonstrate that the optimal DUC controller achieves decreased pitch actuator demand and improved drive-train fatigue life through dampening of torsion oscillation. In part one of this paper we provided an overview of previous disturbance accommodation control (DAC) approaches to wind turbines, and we discussed the modes of operation in DAC. Results for DUC are presented in this part two and compared to a previously published controller.
Keywords :
power generation control; wind turbines; dampening flexible mode; disturbance accommodation control; disturbance utilization control; drive-train torsion fatigue mitigation; flexible wind turbine; generator speed regulation; pitch actuator; power 600 kW; torsion oscillation; turbulent wind inflow; Blades; Computational modeling; Control systems; Fatigue; Laboratories; Mathematical model; Shafts; Wind energy; Wind energy generation; Wind turbines; Disturbance Utilization Control; Wind Turbine Control; Wind Turbine Fatigue Mitigation;
Conference_Titel :
System Theory, 2009. SSST 2009. 41st Southeastern Symposium on
Conference_Location :
Tullahoma, TN
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-3324-7
Electronic_ISBN :
0094-2898
DOI :
10.1109/SSST.2009.4806790