Optimal Control Strategies of Wind Turbines for Load Reduction

This chapter examines the load optimization control strategies of large‐scale wind turbines. Wind turbine load reduction control comprises passive control and active control. Compared to passive control, active control is economic, reliable and adaptable, so there is a great potential for engineering applications. This chapter focuses on individual pitch control (IPC) and drivetrain torsional vibration control. It explores the dynamic model of a direct‐drive wind turbine with a view to load‐reduction controller design. An individual pitch control algorithm is built into the programmable logic controller (PLC). The chapter introduces torsional vibration control strategy based on the linear‐quadratic‐Gaussian (LQG) method. It describes the detailed design process of LQG controller. The simulation results show that the proposed strategies can effectively reduce wind turbine loads and thus improve the reliability and lifetime of wind turbines while not affecting power generation.