Wind Turbine Control System Research Articles

A Methodological Framework for Managing the Alarms in Wind Turbine Control and Data Acquisition Systems for Failure Analysis

Renewable energies have a fundamental role in sustainability, with wind power being one of the most important due to its low production costs. Modern wind turbines are becoming bigger and more complex, and their operation and maintenance must be as optimized as possible. In this context, supervisory control and data acquisition systems provide valuable information, but there is no precise methodology for their analysis. To overcome this need, a generalized methodology is proposed to determine the recognition of critical subsystems through alarm analysis and management. The proposed methodology defines each subsystem in a precise way, shows the indicators for the alarms, and presents a theoretical framework for its application using the quantity and activation times of alarms, along with the real downtime. It also considers the transition of states when the wind turbine is operationally inactive. To highlight the proposal’s novelty, the methodology is exemplified with a case study from the Southern Cone, applying the method through a data management and analysis tool. Four critical subsystems were found, with the alarms of wind vanes, anemometers, and emergency speeds being of relevance. The indicators and the graphical tools recommended helped guide the applied analysis.

Risk Assessment of Bird Collisions with a Wind Turbine Based on Flight Parameters

The study addresses the challenge of bird collisions with wind turbines by developing an autonomous risk assessment method. The research uses data from the stereoscopic Bird Protection System (BPS) to anticipate potential collision threats by analysing flight parameters and distance from turbines. The danger factor depends on the flight characteristics of the identified bird species and the parameters of the wind turbine control system. The paper proposes an online quantitative risk assessment model that operates in real time, with the aim of minimising unnecessary turbine shutdowns while improving bird conservation. The model is validated through field data from bird flights. The findings suggest that adaptive management of turbine operations based on real-time bird flight data can significantly reduce collision risks without compromising energy production efficiency. The research underscores the balance between ecological considerations and the economic viability of wind energy, proposing an adaptive strategy that reduces unnecessary turbine stoppages while ensuring the safety of avian species.

Anomaly detection of wind turbine based on norm-linear-ConvNeXt-TCN

The supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system of wind turbines continuously collects a large amount of monitoring data during their operation. These data contain abundant information about the operating status of the turbine components. Utilizing this information makes it feasible to provide early warnings and predict the health status of the wind turbine. However, due to the strong coupling between the various components of the wind turbine, the data exhibits complex spatiotemporal relationships, multiple state parameters, strong non-linearity, and noise interference, which brings great difficulty to anomaly detection of the wind turbine. This paper proposes a new method for detecting abnormal operating conditions of wind turbines, based on a cleverly designed multi-layer linear residual module and the improved temporal convolutional network (TCN) with a new norm-linear-ConvNeXt architecture (NLC-TCN). Initially, the NLC-TCN deep learning reconstruction model is trained with historical data of normal behavior to extract the spatiotemporal features of state parameters under normal operational conditions. Subsequently, the condition score of the unit is determined by calculating the average normalized root mean square error between the reconstructed data and actual data. The streaming peaks-over-threshold real-time calculation of the anomaly warning threshold, based on extreme value theory, is then used for preliminary fault monitoring. Moreover, by shielding the fault alarm for low wind speeds and implementing a continuous delay perception mechanism, issues related to wind speed fluctuations and internal and external interference are addressed, enabling early warning for faulty units. Finally, the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method are validated through comparative experiments using actual offshore wind farm SCADA data. The performance of the proposed method surpasses that of other compared methods. Additionally, the results of the proposed method were evaluated using the uniform manifold approximation and projection dimensionality reduction technique and kernel density estimation.

High order sliding mode observer-based fault-tolerant control scheme for DFIG in wind energy applications with model predictive controller

This research presents a novel fault-tolerant predictive power control method for a Doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) used in wind turbine control systems. Due to the proposed control mechanism, the system can continue to function effectively despite open-circuit or short-circuit faults in the insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) of the MPC controller. Depending on the type of problem and its location, the tolerant IGBT overcomes power oscillations and limits the power converter's potential switching states. By monitoring the optimal generator speed, wind turbine control systems strive to maximize power output. For wind turbines operating in the partial-load area, a fault-tolerant model predictive control strategy is recommended in order to achieve control goals despite disturbances, uncertainties, sensor, and actuator difficulties. A high order sliding mode observer (HOSMO) is used to evaluate both the actual states and sensor-faults at the same time. A high order sliding mode (HOSM) control strategy based on the MPC controller is used to regulate the speed of wind turbines in order to harness the wind's maximum power.

Cyber-Resilient Converter Control System for Doubly Fed Induction Generator-Based Wind Turbine Generators

As wind turbine generator systems become more common in the modern power grid, the question of how to adequately protect them from cyber criminals has become a major theme in the development of new control systems. As such, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms have become major contributors to preventing, detecting, and mitigating cyber-attacks in the power system. In their current state, wind turbine generator systems are woefully unprepared for a coordinated and sophisticated cyber attack. With the implementation of the internet-of-things (IoT) devices in the power control network, cyber risks have increased exponentially. The literature shows the impact analysis and exploring detection techniques for cyber attacks on the wind turbine generator systems; however, almost no work on the mitigation of the adverse effects of cyber attacks on the wind turbine control systems has been reported. To overcome these limitations, this paper proposes implementing an AI-based converter controller, i.e., a multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) method that can mitigate any adverse effects that communication delays or bad data could have on a grid-connected doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind turbine generator or wind farm. The performance of the proposed DDPG controller has been compared with that of a variable proportional–integral (VPI) control-based mitigation method. The proposed technique has been simulated and validated utilizing the MATLAB/Simulink software, version R2023A, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Also, the performance of the proposed DDPG method is better than that of the VPI method in mitigating the adverse impacts of cyber attacks on wind generator systems, which is validated by the plots and the root mean square error table found in the results section.

Virtual inertia support based frequency and dynamic voltage control for grid-connected SPMSG-based wind turbine

The Challenge to stabilize the grid frequency increases with the increment of renewable energy resources. System inertia/frequency control is a significant concern for maintaining system stability with a fast response time during the load transition. This manuscript proposes surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous generator (SPMSG) based wind energy conversion system (WECS) with a frequency support DC-link controlling loop and a converter protective DC-link voltage-controller frequency support system. To achieve power exchange, the frequency control system (FCS) for the SPMSG-based wind turbine supports the grid-side virtual inertia. The DC-link voltage is disturbed during the load transition to maintain the frequency, while the electrolytic capacitor requires extra care regarding the DC bus voltage. This manuscript incorporates the FCS system with a supercapacitor and dynamic voltage limiter to avoid additional care of the DC bus voltage. A detailed analysis of system frequency with the additional load increment, normal connected load decrement, and various fault scenarios has been done. The proposed system is compared with the existing virtual inertia support (VIS). The simulation results show that the proposed frequency control system-based VIS efficiently limits the frequency deviations & DC-link voltage. The results are verified in the OPAL-RT 4510 real-time simulator environment to ensure the efficacy of the proposed system.

Evaluating the Impact of Drivetrain Vibrations on MPPT Control Performance in Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines

This study investigates the impact of drivetrain shift vibrations on the control performance of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) using a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT). Traditionally, PID controllers are tested on simplified rigid models, which do not account for the complex mechanical vibrations encountered in real-world applications. These vibrations, particularly those caused by drivetrain shifts, can significantly affect the stability and efficiency of the control system. Through detailed simulations involving both rigid and flexible drivetrain models, this paper evaluates how drivetrain vibrations influence the performance of the PID-based MPPT control algorithm. The results indicate that the flexible model, which incorporates drivetrain dynamics, experiences pronounced overshoot, oscillations, and significant drops in power coefficient (Cp) compared to the rigid model. These findings highlight the challenges of maintaining control stability and efficiency under varying vibration conditions, with the flexible model showing compromised stability and reduced power conversion efficiency during certain key intervals. This study emphasizes the importance of considering drivetrain dynamics in wind turbine control system design and provides insights into developing more robust and resilient PID control strategies.

Enhancing power control in doubly fed induction generator based wind turbines: a performance comparison of fuzzy logic and sliding mode control methods

Abstract Effective power regulation is critical for ensuring the stability and performance of Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG)-based wind turbines. This study conducts a comparative study between two control methodologies: fuzzy logic control (FLC) and sliding mode control (SMC), to regulate power in DFIG-based wind turbines. The paper emphasizes the importance of power regulation in wind turbines and its impact on grid stability, presents mathematical equations governing DFIG-based wind turbine systems, encompassing machine equations, power equations, and control objectives related to power regulation. A comprehensive model of the DFIG-based wind turbine system is developed, accounting for dynamic machine behavior and grid interface considerations. The modeli ng process integrates relevant electrical and mechanical components, along with power regulation control strategies. Subsequently, FLC and SMC control methodologies are developed and implemented to regulate desired power. Detailed discussions on controller design and tuning are provided, aligning with specific power control requirements. The results highlight SMC’s effectiveness in achieving precise power regulation within DFIG-based wind turbines, showcasing its superior response characteristics. The study offers valuable insights into the advantages and trade-offs associated with each control approach, aiding researchers and practitioners in selecting the most suitable control methodology for their operational needs. In summary, this paper contributes to the field of wind turbine control systems through a comparative study of FLC and SMC controllers, focusing on regulating power in DFIG-based wind turbines. The findings demonstrate SMC’s superior performance in response, enhancing our understanding of control methodologies for optimizing wind turbine performance and grid integration in sustainable energy systems.

A Novel Composite Pitch Control Scheme for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines with Actuator Fault Consideration

It is of great importance to simultaneously stabilize output power and suppress platform motion and fatigue loads in floating offshore wind turbine control systems. In this paper, a novel composite blade pitch control scheme considering actuator fault is proposed based on an augmented linear quadratic regulator (LQR), a fuzzy proportional integral (PI) and an adaptive second-order sliding-mode observer. Collective pitch control was achieved via the fuzzy PI, while individual pitch control was based on the augmented LQR. In the case of actuator fault, an adaptive second-order sliding-mode observer was constructed to effectively eliminate the need for the upper bound of unknown fault derivatives and suppress the chattering effect. This paper conducted co-simulations based on FAST (Fatigue, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Turbulence) and MATLAB/Simulink to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed scheme under different environmental conditions. It is shown that platform roll was reduced by approximately 54% compared to that under PI control. For the tower fore–aft moment, load reductions of 45% or more were achievable. The proposed scheme can greatly reduce the pitch and roll of the floating platform and loads in the windward direction of the wind turbine.

Design of an Integral Fuzzy Logic Controller for a Variable-Speed Wind Turbine Model

The demand for electricity is continuously growing around the world and thus the need for renewable and long-lasting sources of energy has become an essential challenge. Wind turbines are considered one of the major sources of renewable electricity generation. Therefore, there is a crucial demand for wind turbine model and control systems that are capable of precisely simulating the actual wind power systems. In this paper, an advanced fuzzy logic controller is proposed to control the speed of a wind turbine system. Initially, aero dynamical, mechanical and electrical models of two mass wind turbines models are derived. Analytical calculation of the power coefficient is adopted through a nonlinear function of six coefficients that mainly depends on pitch angle and tip speed ratio. The ultimate power output from the turbine can reach up to 50 % which is achieved at zero pitch angle with an approximately tip speed ratio of eight. This is then followed by designing a hybrid fuzzy-plus I pitch controller to regulate the speed of the wind turbine shaft. In general, fuzzy logic control strategy have the advantages over traditional control techniques especially when the system is highly non-linear and has to deal with strong disturbances such as wind turbulence. To evaluate the reliability and robustness of the controller, the response of the wind turbine system is tested under several types of disturbances including wind fluctuation, sudden disturbances on high and low speed shafts. Simulation findings reveals that the performance of fuzzy-integral control technique outweighs that of conventional fuzzy approach in terms of multiple performance evaluation indexes such as zero overshoot and steady state error, rise time and a settling time of (32.9 s) (44.7 s) respectively. The reliability and robustness of the controller is tested by applying speed and torque disturbances of 25% of their maximum ranges. Results have revealed that the controller was able to reject all disturbances efficiently with a change in pitch angle up to a maximum of 10 degrees in order to retain a constant rotor speed at 1000 rpm.

Typical fault prediction method for wind turbines based on an improved stacked autoencoder network

Abstract Timely prediction of wind turbine states is valuable for reduction of potential significant losses resulting from deterioration of health condition. To enhance the accuracy of fault diagnosis and early warning, data collected from supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system of wind turbines is graphically processed and used as input for a deep learning mode, which effectively reflects the correlation between the faults of different components of wind turbines and the multi-state information in SCADA data. An improved stacked autoencoder (ISAE) framework is proposed to address the issue of ineffective fault identification due to the scarcity of labeled samples for certain fault types. In the data augmentation module, synthetic samples are generated using SAE to enhance the training data. Another SAE model is trained using the augmented dataset in the data prediction module for future trend prediction. The attribute correlation information is embedded to compensate for the shortcomings of SAE in learning attribute relationships, and the optimal factor parameters are searched using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Finally, the state of wind turbines is predicted using a CNN-based fault diagnosis module. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively predict faults and identify fault types in advance, which is helpful for wind farms to take proactive measures and schedule maintenance plans to avoid significant losses.

Individual Pitch Control of Wind Turbine System by Estimating Wind Speed Using Pitching Moment

Individual Pitch Control of Wind Turbine System by Estimating Wind Speed Using Pitching Moment

A Reinforcement Learning approach to the Optimal Torque MPPT problem in wind turbines

In this work, a torque controller for a variable rotational speed wind turbine has been modelled using Reinforcement Learning and considering the Optimal Torque - Maximum Power Point Tracking problem as one of optimization. The reward optimization function is designed as a non-linear function depending mainly on the rotor power variation. Based on this, an optimal action (electromagnetic torque variation) regulates the turbine rotational speed. A simulated 1.5 MW three bladed wind turbine operation is managed by the torque controller. It keeps the turbine working at optimal operational conditions after a successful training process, which is carried out using the Proximal Policy Optimization algorithm. For the controller training, the turbine confronts constant and then randomly staggered wind speed behaviour. Time series of rotor angular speed, torque and power are presented. Our results show that the modelled controller is able to reach and maintain the wind turbine operation at its optimal power generation conditions. This methodology avoids using some empirical parameter characteristic of the Optimal Torque - Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithm widely used in wind turbine control systems.

ANALYSIS OF THE CONTROL SYSTEM OF A WIND PLANT CONNECTED TO THE AC NETWORK

The dynamics of the development of alternative power sources over the past few decades are presented, which gives reason to talk about the trends in the further development of wind energy. An analysis of the structures and technical characteristics of wind generators is provided, namely, types of electric motors, power circuits of semiconductor converters that provide the generation of electrical energy to the general industrial electrical network. The issue of the possibility of operation of wind generators in wide wind ranges, the issue of emission of reactive power and higher harmonics of currents to the general industrial electrical network, as well as the issue of the efficiency of various structures of wind generators are considered. A wind turbine control system with an asynchronous generator is proposed. A study of transient control processes and energy compatibility of a full energy conversion wind turbine with a power supply network by simulation computer modeling in the Matlab / Simulink software environment is given. The obtained result indicates the possibility of operation of an asynchronous generator with a short-circuited rotor as part of a wind turbine, which makes it possible to provide power to the alternating current network at low wind speeds.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Grid Connected Wind Turbine Control Systems: A Comprehensive Review

As grid-connected wind farms become more common in the modern power system, the question of how to maximize wind power generation while limiting downtime has been a common issue for researchers around the world. Due to the complexity of wind turbine systems and the difficulty to predict varying wind speeds, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms have become key components when developing controllers and control schemes. Although, in recent years, several review papers on these topics have been published, there are no comprehensive review papers that pertain to both AI and ML in wind turbine control systems available in the literature, especially with respect to the most recently published control techniques. To overcome the drawbacks of the existing literature, an in-depth overview of ML and AI in wind turbine systems is presented in this paper. This paper analyzes the following reviews: (i) why optimizing wind farm power generation is important; (ii) the challenges associated with designing an efficient control scheme for wind farms; (iii) a breakdown of the different types of AI and ML algorithms used in wind farm controllers and control schemes; (iv) AI and ML for wind speed prediction; (v) AI and ML for wind power prediction; (vi) AI and ML for mechanical component monitoring and fault detection; and (vii) AI and ML for electrical fault prevention and detection. This paper will offer researchers and engineers in the wind energy generation field a comprehensive review of the application of AI and ML in the control methodology of offshore and onshore wind farms so that more efficient and robust control schemes can be designed for future wind turbine controllers.

Design and Implementation of a Machine Learning-Based Wind Turbine Control System

The Machine Learning-Based Wind Turbine Control System (MLBWTCS) is a new technology that uses machine learning algorithms to optimize the performance of wind turbines. The system collects data from sensors installed on the wind turbine to monitor various variables such as wind speed, blade pitch angle, generator torque, and power output. The data collected is preprocessed and fed into a machine learning model, which predicts the optimal settings for the turbine operations. The predictions are then used to control the operations of the wind turbine in real-time. The MLBWTCS has been shown to improve the efficiency and reliability of wind turbines, resulting in increased power generation and reduced maintenance costs. This paper presents a detailed description of the design and implementation of the MLBWTCS, including data collection, preprocessing, feature selection and machine learning model selection.

ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES AND DYNAMIC OF WIND GENERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS

The dynamics of the development of alternative power sources over the past severaldecades are presented, which gives reason to talk about the trends in the further development of windenergy. An analysis of the structures and technical characteristics of wind generators classifiedaccording to the international standard IEC 61400 is given. According to the classification of theinternational standard IEC 61400, the structures of wind generators are presented, namely, types ofelectric motors, power circuits of semiconductor converters that provide the generation of electricalenergy to the general industrial electrical network. The use of power electronics in various types ofwind turbine generation systems and offshore wind farms provides improved wind turbineperformance. Semiconductor converters are used in frequency and voltage control to regulate activeand reactive powers. The issue of the possibility of operation of wind generators in wide wind ranges,the issue of emission of reactive power and higher harmonics of currents to the general industrialelectrical network, as well as the issue of efficiency of various structures of wind generators areconsidered. A wind turbine control system with an asynchronous generator is proposed. A study oftransient control processes and energy compatibility of a full energy conversion wind turbine with apower supply network by simulation computer modeling in the Matlab / Simulink softwareenvironment is given. The obtained result indicates the fundamental possibility of operation of anasynchronous generator with a short-circuited rotor as part of a wind turbine operating in conditionsof variable wind speed. The proposed layout of the wind turbine with full energy conversion allowspower to be delivered to the AC grid at a variable frequency of rotation of the wind motor shaft,which allows to increase the control range and maximize the generated power at low wind speeds.

Electrical design of a smart control and monitoring system for small horizontal-axis wind turbines

The popularity of small wind turbines would rise in future, because of electricity prices are still growing. Next generation of small wind-turbines can have higher efficiency values. Under wind gusts and turbulences, the system should be very sensitive to wind conditions. In this work, it is presented a control system that can improve the performance of commercial small-scale wind turbines by including active pitch and load control. We show the electrical design of a smart active pitch control to increase the energy generation of micro-wind turbines (< 5 kWp). The electrical design controls a simple mechanism that allows the rotation of the blades by using an actuator that moves the blades according to the energy desired. The load control is also shown. These two control strategies maximise the power output at all wind conditions, and can increase the performance of small wind turbines. Moreover, important signals that allow safety actions and feedback data are monitored. The electro-mechanical design is robust and economical compare to the traditional hydraulic solution, which will increase its potential adoptability by users.

A Review on Popular Control Applications in Wind Energy Conversion System Based on Permanent Magnet Generator PMSG

There has always been a high expectation that wind generation systems would capture maximum power and integrate properly with the grid. Utilizing a wind generation system with increased management to meet the growing electricity demand is a clever way of accomplishing this. However, wind power generation systems require a sophisticated, unique, and dependable control mechanism in order to achieve stability and efficiency. To improve the operation of the wind energy conversion method, researchers are continually addressing the obstacles that presently exist. Therefore, it is necessary to know which control can improve the whole system’s performance and ensure its successful integration into the network, despite the variable conductions. This article examines wind turbine control system techniques and controller trends related to the permanent magnet synchronous generator. It presents an overview of the most popular control strategies that have been used to control the PMSG wind power conversion system. Among others, we mention nonlinear sliding mode, direct power, backstepping and predictive currents control. First, a description of each control is presented, followed by a simulation performed in the Matlab/Simulink environment to evaluate the performance of each control in terms of reference tracking, response time, stability and the quality of the signal delivered to the network under variable wind conditions. Finally, to get a clear idea of the effect of each control, this work was concluded with a comparative study of the four controls.

Numerical study of the effects of pulsed plasma actuator on physical behavior of the fluid flow around a ducted wind turbine

As with other types of wind turbines, the ducted wind turbine has a bright future. On the other hand, flow separation has a consistent effect on this type of turbine, resulting in aerodynamic losses and load fluctuations. As a result, flow control systems for ducted wind turbines are critical for improving aerodynamic performance. Additionally, in this technological age, noise pollution has developed into a serious problem that must be minimized and controlled to the greatest extent feasible. This research investigates the impact of a plasma actuator as an active control approach on the flow dynamics on the blades using a finite volume code. To decrease computing costs, the URANS model and mesh adaptive methods are applied. The numerical results are confirmed by comparing them to a previously collected experimental dataset. The flow dynamics and noise emission of a micro dielectric-barrier-discharge plasma actuator were examined under the impact of discontinuous pulsing. This actuator was fitted in three distinct places at the beginning point of separation in the blade without using the ducted wind turbine’s control approach. The results indicated that positioning the actuator near the blades’ tip improves aerodynamic performance. Additionally, when the plasma actuator’s power is raised, the vortex cancellation is maximized. The results indicated that the DBD actuator generated a considerable portion of reverse flow, in this case in the opposite direction to the tip flow. The reverse flow was used to alter the pressure gradient in the tip gap area, thereby eliminating the vortex. Also, using the plasma actuator reduces the ducted wind turbine’s noise output by cutting down on the wake zone and vortices, which are the main sources of noise.