Discrete-time predictive control for variable speed wind turbines

This paper proposes a discrete-time predictive controller for variable speed horizontal wind turbines. The control strategy is implemented using discrete-time model predictive control (MPC). MPC provides an integrated solution for controlling systems with interacting variables, complex dynamics and constraints. The discrete predictive controller has the advantage that can be easily implemented on a physical controller in order to be used on a real wind turbine. In order to design the appropriate predictive controller it is necessary to describe the wind turbine behavior. After computing the general equation of motion in a mechanical system and other equations specific to the system a nonlinear model was obtained. For the linear model representation it was used a particular operating point. Based on this representation the predictive control strategy was implemented, tested and analyzed using Matlab simulation environment.