Sensorless Real-Time Reduced Order Model Based Adaptive Maximum Power Tracking Pitch Controller for Grid Connected Wind Turbines

TL;DR

This paper introduces a sensorless, real-time reduced order model based adaptive pitch controller for grid-connected wind turbines, enhancing operational smoothness and reducing mechanical stress without relying on wind speed measurements.

Contribution

It proposes a novel sensorless control approach using reduced order modeling to improve wind turbine power tracking and grid stability during transient conditions.

Findings

Reduces transients in PCC bus voltage and rotor speed oscillations.

Ensures smooth turbine operation without exceeding thermal limits.

Validated using RTDS with standard wind farm test systems.

Abstract

This paper presents a sensor-less maximum power tracking (MPT) pitch controller for grid connected Wind Turbine (WT). The main advantage of the proposed architecture is that the approach ensures smooth operation and thus minimizes the mechanical stress and damage on the WT during high wind speed and grid transient conditions. Simultaneously, it also: a) reduces transients in Point of Common Coupling (PCC) bus voltage, b) reduces rotor speed oscillations, and c) controls the output power of the wind turbine without exceeding its thermal limits. The approach can work without wind speed measurements. In order to consider the effect of grid variations at the PCC, the affected area in the grid is modeled as a study area (area of interest), and remaining area (external area) is modeled as frequency dependent reduced order model (FDROM). The reduced order model (ROM) is then used to estimate the reference speed. The proposed controller is designed using the error between actual speed of the generator and the reference speed, to ensure smooth operation and limit the speed and aerodynamic power at the rated values. The architecture is evaluated using wind farm integrated Kundur's two-area and IEEE-39 bus test systems using real-time digital simulator (RTDS).