Direct Speed Control using LIDAR and Turbine Data

David Schlipf, Paul Fleming, Stefan Kapp, Andrew Scholbrock, Florian Haizmann, Fred Belen, Alan Wright, Po Wen Cheng

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

18 Scopus Citations

Abstract

LIDAR systems are able to provide preview information of the wind speed in front of wind turbines. One proposed use of this information is to increase the energy capture of the turbine by adjusting the rotor speed directly to maintain operation at the optimal tip-speed ratio, a technique referred to as Direct Speed Control (DSC). Previous work has indicated that for large turbines the marginal benefit of the direct speed controller in terms of increased power does not compensate for the increase of the shaft loads. However, the technique has not yet been adequately tested to make this determination conclusively. Further, it is possible that applying DSC to smaller turbines could be worthwhile because of the higher rotor speed fluctuations and the small rotor inertia. This paper extends the previous work on direct speed controllers. A DSC is developed for a 600 kW experimental turbine and is evaluated theoretically and in simulation. Because the actual turbine has a mounted LIDAR, data collected from the turbine and LIDAR during operation are used to perform a hybrid simulation. This technique allows a realistic simulation to be performed, which provides good agreement with theoretical predictions.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages2208-2213
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event2013 1st American Control Conference, ACC 2013 - Washington, DC, United States
Duration: 17 Jun 201319 Jun 2013

Conference

Conference2013 1st American Control Conference, ACC 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington, DC
Period17/06/1319/06/13

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-5000-58182

Keywords

  • direct speed control (DSC)
  • energy capture
  • LIDAR
  • turbine
  • wind

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