The NAL is associated with the Department of Mathematics. Duties involve research and teaching. BYU is one of the largest private universities in the U.S. and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The successful applicant will be expected to conform to the BYU honour code. Robert MacKay Research Fellowship University of Strathclyde Applications are sought for a research fellowship to investigate the application of nonlinear control methods to variable speed wind turbines.
Wind turbines are complex nonlinear systems and their regulation is a challenging control task.
In particular, it is necessary both to accommodate the strongly nonlinear aerodynamic characteristics and to meet changing control objectives as the wind conditions vary. This leads to a requirements for controllers which include both nonlinear and switched elements. Whilst effective nonlinear control strategies have been developed using physical insight, the objective of the present project is to place these on a more rigorous analytic basis with a view to further improving performance. The control strategies developed will be tested on an advanced prototype 1MW wind turbine which is presently under construction. Austin The Centre for Nonlinear Dynamics at the University of Texas, Austin, has a postdoctoral position available.