Variable-speed Variable-pitch control for a wind turbine scale model

The present work deals with the issues faced by authors in the implementation of a variable-speed variable-pitch (VS-VP) controller on a wind turbine scale model for wind tunnel tests. The PoliMi 1/75 model of the DTU 10MW reference wind turbine (RWT) is presented, focusing on the mechatronic system used to control the machine. The main differences between the PoliMi wind turbine model (WTM) and the DTU 10MW RWT are highlighted out pointing out their influence on the behavior of the controlled machine. Then, the control logic adopted for the PoliMi WTM is introduced. Finally, results from wind tunnel tests on the controlled model are shown and the performance of the closed-loop system is discussed.