An observer-based blade-pitch controller of wind turbines in high wind speeds

The paper focuses on variable-rotor-speed/variable-blade-pitch wind turbines operating in the region of high wind speeds, where blade pitch and generator torque controllers are aimed at limiting the turbine's energy capture to the rated power value. Coupled design is described of an observer-based blade-pitch control input and a generator torque controller, both of which not requiring the availability of wind speed measurements. Closed loop convergence of the overall control system is proved. The proposed control solution has been validated on a 5-MW three-blade wind turbine using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) wind turbine simulator FAST (Fatigue, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Turbulence) code.