Transient and harmonic stresses in wind turbine rotor shafts contribute to gearbox failure. This paper investigates the reduction of rotor shaft torsional vibrations through active control of the generator torque. A 5 MW turbine model is used to test the procedure. A model of a permanent magnet synchronous generator is included as part of the wind turbine simulation. The simulations are carried out using the software FAST from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The PI and feedback linearized controller for the generator is derived together with the means for vibration isolation. Examples of steady, time varying, and turbulent wind are presented which all show significant reduction in the torsional oscillations.

Volume Subject Area:
Wind Energy Systems and Control
Topics:
Rotors, Vibration, Wind turbines, Generators, Simulation, Computer software, Control equipment, Failure, Feedback, Mechanical drives, Oscillations, Permanent magnets, Renewable energy, Stress, Torque, Transients (Dynamics), Turbines, Turbulence, Vibration isolation, Wind
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