Model Predictive Control of Variable Speed Variable Pitch Wind Energy Conversion Systems

Abstract

A multiple-input, multiple-output model predictive control technique for variable-speed, variable-pitch wind turbines in the below-rated wind speed zone is proposed. The speed of the generator and power generated are regulated simultaneously by controlling the pitch angle of the wind turbine and the generator torque. This has the effect of extracting the maximum power from the wind for wind speeds below the rated value. Also, as the constraints are incorporated on into the physical variables of the wind energy conversion system (WECS), the system operates within safe operating limits. The performance of the proposed control strategy was validated against the performance of the proportional-integral (PI) controller.