Nonlinear Model Predictive control (NMPC) of Fixed Pitch Variable Speed Wind Turbine

Wind power has become one of the most attractive energy systems in several decades due to its rich wind power available and high turn back value than other types of renewable energy systems. The classical wind turbines are normally fixed pitch constant speed which have less power efficient and high dynamics loads that results in reducing life cycle of system. To overcome this disadvantage, modern generation of wind turbine with variable speed is now widely used. However, wind energy conversion system that includes complex combination of aero dynamics and electrical phenomena together with anonymous action of wind speed making control system sophisticated. Despite if a great deal of research has been focus on wind turbines in the literature. In this paper, we present advanced control algorithm Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) regulating shaft speed to capture as much as possible power and keep it below maximum level at high wind speed. Because of the limitation of power electronics devices, the generation torque is also restricted below maximum value. All these constraints are naturally handled by NMPC algorithm which is promising control theory interested by many researchers resent years. The algorithm is validated by simulation and later is hardware realization of controller.