Consortium:
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in Zagreb (FER)
KONČAR – Electrical Engineering Institute (KONČAR – Institute)
Abstract
This project focuses on the methodology for advanced control of the next-generation wind turbines. The following topics are addressed:
- development of simulation models for wind turbines with the purpose of wind turbine operation analysis and control system synthesis, which furthermore represent the building elements of an integrated wind farm model
- research of advanced wind turbine control methods with emphasis on:
- optimal rotor speed and generated power control in different weather conditions,
- reduction of wind turbine structural loads,
- fatigue reduction,
- compensation of the effects of wind gusts
- development of a systematic methodology for the control system synthesis with respect to performance demands and subject to energy and construction limitations
- experimental validation of developed control and estimation algorithms.
The methodology used in this research is based on the combination of simulation, theoretical and experimental researches. To accomplish the high quality of wind turbine rotor speed and power control in various weather conditions, methodology suitable for nonlinear systems is employed. For active structural vibrations damping as well as reduction of peak and periodical structural loads, suitable methodology, such as model predictive control and state estimation, is investigated.
Although the focus of this project is control of wind turbines as an individual plant, the behavior of the wind turbines as part of a greater system is also analyzed. In that sense, wind turbine’s operation within a large wind farm is addressed, as well as its operation as a part of a combined power plant that utilizes other renewable sources, mainly hydrogen fuel cells, for energy production and storage.