Enhanced Energy Capture of Wind Turbines by Exact Output Regulation

Abstract

We propose a new strategy for wind turbine's generator torque control to enhance the overall wind energy capture and fatigue loads mitigation by using the information provided by light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system. Numerical time-series of wind speed information generated by LIDAR are used to obtain closed-form mathematical models for the upcoming wind signal and are employed within the exact output regulation control architecture. Simulation studies employing the FAST models in operating conditions below the turbine's rated wind speed show that energy capture can be improved while preserving or even reducing the tower fatigue load measures.