Posters

Abstract

Wind turbines are rapidly evolving in a quest to deliver affordable and reliable renewable energy. In that context, controls are fundamental to optimize performance while managing loads. From single-input-single-output proportional-integral-derivative to multiple objective model based controls, the technology has intensely changed during the last two decades [1]. New sensors, such as wind Lidar, are often integrated to deliver additional benefits. This presentation describes the evolution of Lidar assisted turbine control and provides practical recommendation to further accelerate it to continue to reduce the cost of wind energy. Making use of a Lidar to measure the incoming rotor wind field enables turbine controls to reduce fatigue loads by approximately 4 to 10% for blades and tower [2]. While the basis for this application has been extensively researched, including by the industry, since more than 15 years [3], as of today full scale implementation has taken place only in the Chinese market. In an effort to explain this situation and anticipate future trends, we identify the critical factors required to successfully integrate of the technology. We then highlight developments which enable the recent renewal of industrial research activities [4], ranging from sensor robustness, wind field reconstruction, technology and industrial maturity, presence of expertise, standardized and validated tools. [1] Laks, J. H., Pao, L. Y., & Wright, A. D. (2009, June). Control of wind turbines: Past, present, and future. [2] Bossanyi, E. A., Kumar, A., & Hugues-Salas, O. (2014, December). Wind turbine control applications of turbine-mounted lidar. [3] Schlipf, D., & Kühn, M. (2008). Prospects of a collective pitch control by means of predictive disturbance compensation assisted by wind speed measurements. [4] Svenstrup, M. A., & Thomsen, J. S. (2024, June). Robustness of LiDAR-assisted controller towards measurement uncertainty.