On the Analysis and Synthesis of Wind Turbine Side-Side Tower Load Control via Demodulation

As wind turbine power capacities continue to rise, taller and more flexible tower designs are needed for support. These designs often have the tower's natural frequency in the turbine's operating regime, increasing the risk of resonance excitation and fatigue damage. Advanced load-reducing control methods are needed to enable flexible tower designs that consider the complex dynamics of flexible turbine towers during partial-load operation. This paper proposes a novel modulation-demodulation control (MDC) strategy for side-side tower load reduction driven by the varying speed of the turbine. The MDC method demodulates the periodic content at the once-per-revolution (1P) frequency in the tower motion measurements into two orthogonal channels. The proposed scheme extends the conventional tower controller by augmentation of the MDC contribution to the generator torque signal. A linear analysis framework into the multivariable system in the demodulated domain reveals varying degrees of coupling at different rotational speeds and a gain sign flip. As a solution, a decoupling strategy has been developed, which simplifies the controller design process and allows for a straightforward (but highly effective) diagonal linear time-invariant controller design. The high-fidelity OpenFAST wind turbine software evaluates the proposed controller scheme, demonstrating effective reduction of the 1P periodic loading and the tower's natural frequency excitation in the side-side tower motion.Comment: This work has been submitted to the IEEE for possible publication. Copyright may be transferred without notice, after which this version may no longer be accessibl

Development of Biomimetic-Based Controller Design Methods for Advanced Energy Systems

A biologically inspired optimal control strategy, denoted as BIO-CS, is proposed for advanced energy systems applications. This strategy combines the ant\u27s rule of pursuit idea with multi-agent and optimal control concepts. The BIO-CS algorithm employs gradient-based optimal control solvers for the intermediate problems associated with the leader-follower agents\u27 local interactions. The developed BIO-CS is integrated with an Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-based adaptive component for further improvement of the overall framework. In particular, the ANN component captures the mismatch between the controller and the plant models by using a single-hidden-layer technique with online learning capabilities to augment the baseline BIO-CS control laws. The resulting approach is a unique combination of biomimetic control and data-driven methods that provides optimal solutions for dynamic systems.;The applicability of the proposed framework is illustrated via an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) process with carbon capture as an advanced energy system example. Specifically, a multivariable control structure associated with a subsystem of the IGCC plant simulation in DYNSIMRTM software platform is addressed. The proposed control laws are derived in MATLAB RTM environment, while the plant models are built in DYNSIM RTM, and a previously developed MATLABRTM-DYNSIM RTM link is employed for implementation purposes. The proposed integrated approach improves the overall performance of the process up to 85% in terms of reducing the output tracking error when compared to stand-alone BIO-CS and Proportional-Integral (PI) controller implementations, resulting in faster setpoint tracking.;Other applications of BIO-CS addressed include: i) a nonlinear fermentation process to produce ethanol; and ii) a transfer function model derived from the cyber-physical fuel cell-gas turbine hybrid power system that is part of the Hybrid Performance (HYPER) project at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Other theoretical developments in this work correspond to the integration of the BIO-CS approach with Multi-Agent Optimization (MAO) techniques and casting BIO-CS as a Model Predictive Controller (MPC). These developments are demonstrated by revisiting the fermentation process example. The proposed biologically-inspired approaches provide a promising alternative for advanced control of energy systems of the future

Temperature Regulation in Multicore Processors Using Adjustable-Gain Integral Controllers

This paper considers the problem of temperature regulation in multicore processors by dynamic voltage-frequency scaling. We propose a feedback law that is based on an integral controller with adjustable gain, designed for fast tracking convergence in the face of model uncertainties, time-varying plants, and tight computing-timing constraints. Moreover, unlike prior works we consider a nonlinear, time-varying plant model that trades off precision for simple and efficient on-line computations. Cycle-level, full system simulator implementation and evaluation illustrates fast and accurate tracking of given temperature reference values, and compares favorably with fixed-gain controllers.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, IEEE Conference on Control Applications 2015, Accepted Versio

The analysis and design of multirate sampled-data feedback systems via a polynomial approach

This thesis describes the modelling, analysis and design of multirate sampled-data feed-back via the polynomial equations approach. The key theoretical contribution constitutes the embedding of the principles underpinning and algebra related to the switch and frequency decomposition procedures within a modern control framework, thereby warranting the use of available computer-aided control systems design software. A salient feature of the proposed approach consequently entails the designation of system models that possess dual time- and frequency-domain interpretations. Expositionally, the thesis initially addresses scalar systems excited by deterministic inputs, prior to introducing stochastic signals and culminates in an analysis of multivariable configurations. In all instances, overall system representations are formulated by amalgamating models of individual sub-systems. The polynomial system descriptions are shown subsequently to be compatible with the Linear Quadratic Gaussian and Generalised Predictive Control feedback system synthesis methods provide causality issues are dealt with appropriately. From a practical perspective, the polynomial equations approach proffers an alternative methodology to the state-variable techniques customarily utilised in this context and affords the insights and intuitive appeal associated with the use of transfer function models. Numerical examples are provided throughout the thesis to illustrate theoretical developments

Adaptive control algorithm for improving power capture of wind turbines in turbulent winds

Abstract — The standard wind turbine (WT) control law modifies the torque applied to the generator as a quadratic function of the generator speed (Kω 2) while blades are positioned at some optimal pitch angle (β ∗). The value of K and β ∗ should be properly selected such that energy capture is increased. In practice, the complex and time-varying aerodynamics a WT face due to turbulent winds make their determination a hard task. The selected constant parameters may maximize energy for a particular, but not all, wind regime conditions. Adaptivity can modify the controller to increase power capture under variable wind conditions. This paper present new analysis tools and an adaptive control law to increase the energy captured by a wind turbine. Due to its simplicity, it can be easily added to existing industry-standard controllers. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is assessed by simulations on a high-fidelity aeroelastic code. Index Terms — Wind Turbines, Adaptive Control, efficiency. I

Comparative analysis of MPC controllers applied to Autonomous Driving

Este trabajo presenta el diseño de un sistema de evasión de obstáculos, aplicable en situaciones de emergencia. La solución propone un MPC multivariable para controlar la posición, orientación y velocidad del vehículo autónomo. El controlador considera las limitaciones físicas del vehículo, así como la morfología de la vía para conseguir minimizar los posibles daños que puedan afectar al sistema y en consecuencia a la pérdida de control del vehículo. Las restricciones principales están basadas en las fuerzas laterales que afectan a los neumáticos, obtenidas de la implementación de los modelos cinemático y dinámico de la planta. Inicialmente, el controlador hace que el sistema siga una trayectoria predefinida. No obstante, tomará las acciones de evasión necesarias cuando detecte obstáculos, para conseguir realizar trayectorias libres de colisiones. Los resultados obtenidos tras la validación del sistema se presentan con el simulador para conducción autónoma CARLA.This work presents the design of an obstacle avoidance system, employable in emergency situations. The solution proposes a multivariable Model Predictive Controller (MPC) to control the position, orientation and velocity of an autonomous vehicle. The controller considers the vehicle0s physical limitations, as well as the road morphology, to minimize any possible damage to the system and the loss of control of the vehicle. Its main constraints are based on the lateral tire forces, obtained from the implementation of a kinematic and dynamic plant model. The controller, initially following a predefined trajectory, will take the needed evasive actions in order to perform a collision-free trajectory, in case of an obstacle detection. The results obtained from the system validation are presented with CARLA open-source simulator for autonomous driving.Grado en Ingeniería en Electrónica y Automática Industria

Model Predictive Control Using Orthonormal Basis Filter

Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller is the most common controller that acts as standard tool in a process control industry. However, when interacting with Multiple Input and Multiple Output (MIMO) process, the interaction is difficult to be controlled by PID controller. Therefore, this project will focus on Model Predictive Control (MPC) that is one of optimization strategy that can control MIMO interaction by predicting the effect of potential control action. In this project, a mathematical model of Orthonormal Basis Filter (OBF) will be developed on the distillation column based on Wood-Berry model with a feedback control (a closed loop system). A simulation of MPC is done by using MATLAB coding while PID is simulated using SIMULINK. Based on the simulation, the performance of MPC and PID controller are evaluated by using the Integral Error Criteria: Integral Absolute Error (IAE), Integral of the Squared Error (ISE) and Integral of the time-weighted absolute error (ITAE) and also with total input variation. Lower integral error criteria and total input variation value indicate a better model accuracy and efficiency of controller for MIMO system