Comparison of Strategies for Enhancing Energy Capture and Reducing Loads Using LIDAR and Feedforward Control

In this paper, we investigate strategies to enhance turbine energy capture and mitigate fatigue loads using pulsed light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system-enabled torque control strategies. To enhance energy capture when a turbine is operating below rated wind speed, three advanced LIDAR-enabled torque controllers are proposed: the disturbance tracking control (DTC) augmented with LIDAR, the optimally tracking rotor (OTR) control augmented with LIDAR, and LIDAR-based preview control. The DTC with LIDAR and LIDAR-based preview control is combined with a linear quadratic regulator in the feedback path, while OTR is a strategy adapted from a quadratic kΩ² torque feedback control. These control strategies are simulated in turbulent wind files and their performance is compared against the baseline kΩ² control scheme. We also consider the effects of different LIDAR update rates and range gates. It is shown that LIDAR-enabled controllers have only a small effect on energy capture at the cost of increased control action and low-speed shaft torque load. However, when considering a combination of fatigue load mitigation, power capture enhancement, and control authority requirements, the LIDAR-enabled preview controller outperforms the baseline kΩ² controller.