Multidisciplinary dynamic optimization of horizontal axis wind turbine design

The design of physical (plant) and control aspects of a dynamic system have traditionally been treated as two separate problems, often solved in sequence. Optimizing plant and control design disciplines separately results in sub-optimal system designs that do not capitalize on the synergistic coupling between these disciplines. This coupling is inherent in most actively controlled dynamic systems, including wind turbines. In this case structural and control design both affect energy production and loads on the turbine. This article presents an integrated approach to achieve system-optimal wind turbine designs using codesign, a design methodology that accounts directly for the synergistic coupling between physical and control system design. A case study, based on multidisciplinary simulation, is presented here that demonstrates a promising increase (up to 8%) in annualized wind turbine energy production compared to the results of a conventional sequential design strategy. The case study also revealed specific synergistic mechanisms that enable performance improvements, which are accessible via co-design but not sequential design.