M. Milutinović, M. Čorić, J. Deur

Optimization-Inspired Control Strategy for a Magnus Effect-Based Airborne Wind Energy System

In: "Airborne Wind Energy - Advances in Technology Development and Research", (Ed. R. Schmehl), pp. 303-333, Springer, 2018
An optimization study has been conducted and the corresponding control strategy developed for the lighter-than-air airborne wind energy system. The linchpin of the system is an airborne module in the form of a buoyant, rotating cyl-inder, whose rotation in a wind stream induces the Magnus effect-based aerodynamic lift, thereby facilitating traction power generation. The optimization is aimed at maximizing the average power produced at the ground-based generator during a continuously repeatable operating cycle. This chapter provides a recap of the optimization methodology, results, and their physical interpretation, and builds on this foundation to develop control strategies aimed at approaching the optimization results. Comparative analysis of the two proposed control strategies and the optimization results shows that the simpler and more robust strategy can approach the performance of the more sensitive strategy that closely matches the optimization results.