Representative End User Clients
Wind Turbine Control Systems
Wind turbine control systems can reduce the loads on wind turbine components while capturing more wind energy and converting it into electricity.
Wind turbine control systems use pitch, yaw, and rotational speed control to optimize or limit the power extracted from the wind. The main methods of controlling a turbine are by controlling the generator speed, blade angle adjustment, and rotation of the entire wind turbine. Blade angle adjustment and turbine rotation are also known as pitch and yaw control, respectively. Advanced wind turbine controls can reduce the loads on wind turbine components while capturing more wind energy and converting it into electricity.
The purpose of pitch control is to maintain the optimum blade angle to achieve certain rotor speeds or power output. Pitch adjustments are used to stall and furl, two methods of pitch control. By stalling a wind turbine, you increase the angle of attack, which causes the flat side of the blade to face further into the wind. Furling decreases the angle of attack, causing the edge of the blade to face the oncoming wind. Pitch angle adjustment is the most effective way to limit output power by changing aerodynamic force on the blade at high wind speeds.
Yaw refers to the rotation of the entire wind turbine in the horizontal axis. Yaw control ensures that the turbine is constantly facing into the wind to maximize the effective rotor area and, as a result, power. Because wind direction can vary quickly, the turbine may misalign with the oncoming wind and cause power output losses.
Wind-turbine control is necessary to ensure low maintenance costs and efficient performance of a wind turbine. The control system also guarantees safe operation, optimizes power output, and ensures long structural life. Turbine rotational speed and the generator speed are two key areas that are controlled for power limitation and optimization.