Research ArticleReal time simulation of nonlinear generalized predictive control for wind energy conversion system with nonlinear observer

- A nonlinear predictive generalized control applied to control WECS based on DFIG.
- A nonlinear disturbance observer estimating the unknown aerodynamic torque.
- The proposed controller structure is equivalent to a nonlinear PID.
- Satisfying performances of the proposed control technique are obtained.

In order to make a wind power generation truly cost-effective and reliable, an advanced control techniques must be used. In this paper, we develop a new control strategy, using nonlinear generalized predictive control (NGPC) approach, for DFIG-based wind turbine. The proposed control law is based on two points: NGPC-based torque-current control loop generating the rotor reference voltage and NGPC-based speed control loop that provides the torque reference. In order to enhance the robustness of the controller, a disturbance observer is designed to estimate the aerodynamic torque which is considered as an unknown perturbation. Finally, a real-time simulation is carried out to illustrate the performance of the proposed controller.