An Effective Wind Speed Observer for Pitch Fault Detection in Wind Turbines

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology to design an effective wind speed observer using an alternative mathematical representation of the aerodynamic torque of a variable-speed wind turbine. This alternative model is linear in parameters. Then, using this observer, a pitch fault detection scheme is conceived. Numerical experiments using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory wind turbine simulator FAST (Fatigue, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Turbulence) code were performed to support the design.