Wind Turbine Field Testing of State-Space Control Designs: August 25, 2003--November 30, 2003

This report investigates the application of advanced pitch control algorithms on a 600 kW variable-speed, variable-pitch wind turbine known as the Controls Advanced Research Turbine (CART). A design approach is outlined to test both time-invariant and periodic control methods for fatigue load reduction over all operating wind speeds. Practical implementation issues are identified and addressed.Test data and preliminary performance comparisons are presented to support the approach.