Accurate control of wind turbine scale models is essential to ensure representative experimental results and meaningful comparison with full-scale machines. However, scaled turbines have different aerodynamic characteristics, actuator dynamics, inertia ratios, and sensing capabilities compared to utility-scale turbines.
This thesis aims to develop a unified control framework for regulating the operation of wind turbine scale models tested in the POLIMI wind tunnel. The objective is to ensure dynamic behavior representative of full-scale turbines while enabling different control targets such as rotor speed regulation, power control, and thrust force emulation.
The control architecture will be developed and tested in simulation using OpenFAST coupled with MATLAB/Simulink, and then implemented in real time on the physical turbine models using Simulink Real-Time and Speedgoat.
Specific objectives of this thesis are:
• Develop a unified control framework for scaled wind turbines accounting for aerodynamic scaling effects, actuator dynamics, and inertia differences.
• Implement and test the controller in OpenFAST–Simulink co-simulation.
• Define a systematic tuning methodology to achieve different objectives (speed, power, thrust regulation).
• Implement and experimentally validate the control strategies on the wind turbine scale models.
If you are interested in this thesis project, please contact
Alessandro Fontanella – alessandro.fontanella@polimi.it