Optimal power generation control of wind turbines based on dynamically updated torque limit values

Summary For large‐scale commercialized wind turbines, using the speed‐torque lookup table is a traditional strategy to achieve optimum tip‐speed ratio tracking. Due to the constraint of the minimum grid‐connected generator speed and the rated generator speed, the strategy can only use the slashes to describe these 2 transition zones. This affects the smoothness of the output power, shrinks the optimum tip‐speed range, and loses the generating energy. Based on an analysis of the nonlinear aerodynamics of the wind turbine, this paper presents a strategy of realizing optimal power generation control that dynamically updates the output torque limit value of the controller. The strategy solves the problems of unmeasurable wind speed and inability to track wind speed and achieves the target of maximum wind energy capture below rated wind speed. Simulation and field test results proved the correctness of the algorithm.