Look-ahead cyclic pitch control using LIDAR

LIDAR (Light detection and ranging) systems are able to provide preview information of wind disturbances at various distances in front of wind turbines. This information can be used to improve the control of wind turbines. This paper compares a predictive feedforward control structure combined with common PI controllers to a baseline controller and to an H∞ approach showing the advantage of look-ahead control to reduce wind turbine loads. The control design is verified by simulations with a turbulent wind field and a full nonlinear model of the wind turbine.