Dynamometer Test Rig Drive Train Control with a High Dynamic Performance: Measurements and Experiences

Abstract This paper presents the control design and dynamic performance evaluation for a 10MW dynamometer test rig for wind turbine nacelles. The purpose is to control the applied torque by the drive train, required for an accurate emulation of rotor characteristics in the laboratory. This is implemented in a hardware-in-the-loop simulation framework for electrical certification test procedures, introducing high dynamic requirements. Therefore, a feedback-feedforward as well as a H-infinity controller is implemented to benefit from high dynamic and robustness capabilities, respectively. Furthermore, due to the lack of a suitable torque measurement in the meganewton-meter range, model-based algorithms are incorporated and the implemented time-varying Kalman filter provides the unmeasured variables. In addition, for performance analysis independent of any specimen, experiments using small signal perturbation as test functions are executed under load conditions. The results are analysed here elaborately and the obtained control bandwidth is distinguished under realistic conditions. Overall, the measurements demonstrate an effective control with a bandwidth of up to 30Hz.