Abstract:
Methods of operating a variable speed wind turbine as a function of a wind speed, the wind turbine having a rotor with a plurality of blades, a generator having a rated output power, and one or more pitch mechanisms for rotating the blades around their longitudinal axis, and a system for varying a torque of the generator. The methods comprise a sub-nominal zone of operation for wind speeds below a nominal wind speed and a supra-nominal zone of operation for wind speeds at or above the nominal wind speed, wherein at wind speeds at or near the nominal wind speed, the generator is allowed to generate more than its rated output power for a limited period of time. Also disclosed are wind turbines and wind farms adapted to perform these methods.
Abstract:
Method of operating a variable speed wind turbine as a function of wind speed are disclosed, the wind turbine having a rotor with a plurality of blades, a generator, pitch mechanisms for rotating the blades around their longitudinal axes, and a system for varying a torque of the generator. The method comprises at a first moment in time estimating representative future wind speed values from the first moment in time up to a second moment in time, the second moment in time being equal to the first moment in time plus a predetermined finite period of time, and using a control strategy to optimize a cost function indicative of an energy output of the wind turbine based on the estimated representative future wind speed values by controlling the torque of the generator and the pitch angles of the blades. Wind turbines suitable for such methods are also disclosed.