Besides the
traditional control strategies (i.e., mainly feedback and adaptivetracking
based), predictive control [11,16,19] has been used to
optimize the capture of the wind power. Henriksen [11] investigated
a model predictive control approach to pitch controller
design [3,21]. The model predictive control approach with blade
pitch and generator torque as two control inputs was discussed in
Ref. [16]. The research reported in Refs. [11,16] was based on
simulated wind speeds in a reactive rather than predictive mode.
Unlike traditional energy conversion systems, where the fuel input
can be controlled, the speed of the wind cannot be controlled.
However, knowing the wind speed ahead of time is useful in
controlling a wind turbine. Wind speed prediction was considered
in Ref. [19], where a linear wind speed time series model was
applied to determine wind speed in a short-time horizon (i.e.,
seconds). The wind turbine power output was assumed to be
a linear function of the wind speed [19]. Thus, knowing wind speed
ahead of time would allow smooth power generation.