Optimizing wind turbine speed control using different PI-Funnel boundary profiles
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Abstract
This work evaluates the influence of different funnel boundary profiles on the performance of a PI-Funnel Control strategy applied to wind turbine speed regulation. Funnel Control enforces the tracking error to evolve inside a prescribed funnel-shaped, time-varying boundary, ensuring prescribed transient and steady-state behavior without relying on precise system knowledge. By merging this concept with a classical PI controller, the PI-FC scheme provides robustness and implementation simplicity. Three funnel functions are analyzed: linear, exponential, and Gaussian. Simulation results demonstrate that the funnel boundary profile has a significant impact on tracking accuracy, transient response, and control effort. The linear funnel produced slower convergence and higher control effort. The exponential funnel delivered a fast rise time but resulted in larger steady-state error. The Gaussian funnel achieved the most balanced behavior, combining quick response, low error, and smooth control signals. Additional simulations have been conducted to evaluate the robustness of the proposed controller against parameter uncertainties. In particular, the turbine’s total inertia and viscous friction coefficient were varied to assess performance under changing system conditions. Performance evaluation using the Integral of Absolute Error (IAE) confirmed that the Gaussian funnel yields the lowest error and the most stable tracking. These findings indicate that the Gaussian funnel boundary is the most effective choice for wind turbine applications requiring high performance under model uncertainties and external disturbances.
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