The aerodynamic efficiency of a variable-speed wind turbine operating in Region 2, or below-rated wind speeds, is greatly affected by the identification of accurate parameters for the controller. In particular, the power coefficient surface must be well known for optimal efficiency to be achieved with a constant-gain controller. However, adaptive control can overcome the inefficiencies caused by inaccurate knowledge of the surface. Previous work focused on adaptive torque gain control to cause a variable-speed turbine to operate, on average, at the tip-speed ratio for which the maximum occurs. This paper considers the effects of adaptive blade pitch angle control on a turbine’s aerodynamic efficiency. Computer simulations and tests on a field turbine are used to verify the adaptive pitch control scheme. Simulation and field test results demonstrate that the adaptive pitch controller causes the pitch angle to approach its optimal value. Adaptive pitch control can be used to seek the optimal pitch angle for energy capture in Region 2 operation. Additional field operation is required before a statistically significant improvement in energy capture can be demonstrated.
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e-mail: kjohnson@mines.edu
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August 2008
Research Papers
Adaptive Pitch Control of Variable-Speed Wind Turbines
Kathryn E. Johnson,
Kathryn E. Johnson
Colorado School of Mines,
e-mail: kjohnson@mines.edu
Division of Engineering
, 1600 Illinois Street, Golden, CO 80401
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Lee Jay Fingersh
Lee Jay Fingersh
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
National Wind Technology Center
, MS 3811, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401
Search for other works by this author on:
Kathryn E. Johnson
Colorado School of Mines,
Division of Engineering
, 1600 Illinois Street, Golden, CO 80401e-mail: kjohnson@mines.edu
Lee Jay Fingersh
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
National Wind Technology Center
, MS 3811, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401J. Sol. Energy Eng. Aug 2008, 130(3): 031012 (7 pages)
Published Online: July 2, 2008
Article history
Received:
February 13, 2007
Revised:
August 31, 2007
Published:
July 2, 2008
Citation
Johnson, K. E., and Fingersh, L. J. (July 2, 2008). "Adaptive Pitch Control of Variable-Speed Wind Turbines." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. August 2008; 130(3): 031012. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2931505
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