90results about "Optimise machine performance" patented technology

A method for optimizing control of a wind turbine includes receiving, via a control system, a condition of the wind turbine. The method also includes estimating a current state of the wind turbine using the condition. The method further includes calculating, via a model implemented by the control system, a linearized representation of operation of the wind turbine for a future time interval after the current state. The method further includes defining an optimization problem to be solved. The method also includes determining a pitch adjustment factor for modifying a current state of the wind turbine. The method further includes calculating, via the optimization solver, an optimized pitch parameter of a rotor blade of the wind turbine. The method also includes adjusting a pitch parameter of the rotor blade to an optimized pitch parameter to improve the control.

A dual wind turbine system is provided. The dual wind turbine system includes two individually rotating turbines mounted vertically on top of each other, each connected to an independent directional scoop for enhanced wind capture. The stacked first and second rotors rotate in opposite directions, maximizing power generation efficiency. The system includes a stabilizer positioned at the top, which aligns the directional scoops and rotors into the wind. The rotors are supported by a central shaft, with the stabilizer and directional scoops pivotally connected at a same point, allowing continuous alignment with wind direction. The first and second rotors are coaxially aligned, wherein the first directional scoop channels wind into the first rotor from one direction and the second directional scoop channels wind into the second rotor from an opposite direction.

A method for optimizing performance of a wind farm having at least one wind turbine includes maneuvering a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having at least one sensor to a first location near the at least one wind turbine of the wind farm; collecting, via the at least one sensor of the first UAV, data corresponding to one or more wind conditions at the at least one wind turbine; receiving the data corresponding to the one or more wind conditions at the at least one wind turbine via a controller; generating a control action for the at least one wind turbine using the data corresponding to the one or more wind condition at the at least one wind turbine; and implementing, via the controller, the control action.

A method of operating a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine is operable in plural different operating modes that differ by at least one of lifetime consumption of the wind turbine and energy production by the wind turbine. A sequence of operating modes is determined for a future period of time, wherein an optimization parameter is estimated based on an estimated external parameter. A sequence of operating modes is selected for which the optimization parameter meets an optimization target. The method further includes obtaining a current value for the consumed lifetime of the wind turbine and determining an actual operating mode for the wind turbine for a current point in time under consideration of a deviation between the current value of the consumed lifetime and a consumed lifetime expected for operation in the selected sequence of operating modes. The wind turbine is operated in the determined actual operating mode.

Method for controlling a wind farm, each wind turbine having an operating point adjustable by an actuator: a) a determination by modeling of a region of space approximating the wake of each wind turbine for a misalignment angle (θ) and for a wind speed deficit threshold (δ), b) an identification, from the modeled wakes, of the wind turbines which are in the modeled wake of another wind turbine, then a storage of identification parameters linking each wind turbine to the wind turbine in the modeled wake of which it is, c) a taking into account of the identification parameters stored in step b) to group wind turbines into a plurality of sub-farms, d) a determination of at least one setpoint operating point, for the wind turbines of each sub-farm, by a method of optimizing the power generated by each sub-farm e) an application of said setpoint operating point to the wind turbines.

Disclosed is an apparatus that adapts the rate of its computational work to match the availability of energy harvested from a stochastic energy source; and, with respect to some types of energy harvesting, regulates the rate of energy capture, the rate of energy conversion, and the rate of consumption of stored potential energy, through its alteration, regulation, and / or adjustment, of that same computational work load.

A method of correcting turbine underperformance includes calculating a power production curve using monitored data, detecting changes between the monitored data and a baseline power production curve, generating operability curves for paired operational variables from the monitored data, detecting changes between the operability curves and corresponding baseline operability curves, comparing the changes to a respective predetermined metric, and if the change exceeds the metric, providing feedback to a turbine control system identifying at least one of the paired operational variables for each paired variable in excess of the metric. A system and a non-transitory computer-readable medium are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a power generation system (1), comprising: a hydro-turbine system (3) having an undesirable power output setpoint and a specific safe power output setpoint; an energy storage system (14); a feeder link (6) connected to the energy storage system (14), an electric machine of the hydro-turbine system (3), and the feeder link (6) connected to an AC power network (2); a device for determining a state of charge (19); and a control circuit (18) for controlling the transmission of power between the feeder link (6) and the energy storage system (14), the control circuit (18) being configured to receive a power setpoint Reps and to determine that the received power setpoint Reps belongs to the undesirable power output setpoint, and to generate a power transmission setpoint Epts and an actual power output setpoint Aepos that satisfy the relationship Reps=Epts+Aepos and belong to the safe power output setpoint.

Disclosed is an apparatus that adapts the rate of its computational work to match the availability of energy harvested from a stochastic energy source; and, with respect to some types of energy harvesting, regulates the rate of energy capture, the rate of energy conversion, and the rate of consumption of stored potential energy, through its alteration, regulation, and / or adjustment, of that same computational work load.

A system for controlling cavitation in a turbine of a hydroelectric dam is described. The system comprises at least one inflatable weir positioned at a location between a tailrace portion of the hydroelectric dam and a downstream waterway of the hydroelectric dam; a monitoring system configured for monitoring cavitation in the turbine; and a water level controller configured for communicating with the monitoring system and with the inflatable weir, the water controller controlling inflation or deflation of the inflatable weir, thereby raising or lowering, respectively, water level in the tailrace portion of the hydroelectric dam. Also described is a failsafe system for maintaining a minimal water level in the tailrace portion of the hydroelectric dam in case of abnormal functioning.

A method for operating a wind turbine (100) using a controller (10) is provided. The controller (10) is configured to activate or deactivate each of two or more different control features of the wind turbine (100), each control feature changing an operating characteristic of the wind turbine (100) and having an impact on at least one of a lifespan and a power generation of the wind turbine (100). The method includes determining a type of optimization parameter and an optimization target for the optimization parameter, wherein the optimization parameter is related to at least one of the lifespan or the power generation of the wind turbine (100). The method further performs one or more optimization steps, wherein each optimization step is performed for a different combination of activation states of the two or more control features. Based on the one or more optimization steps, an optimal combination of activation states of the two or more control features is determined for which the estimated optimization parameter achieves the optimization target.

The invention relates to a method for adjusting a turbine, characterized in that during a first step (E1), first points (Yp, Yv) of iso-power, first values ​​of the first command (Yp) for blade orientation and first values ​​of the second command (Yv) for the orientation of the gate guide vanes are determined for target electrical powers (P1, P2, ... Pn), during a second step (E2), first points (Yp, Yv) of iso-power are determined for each target electrical power (P1, P2, ... Pn) in each set (Y1, Y2, ... Yn) of first points (Yp, Yv) of iso-power, the first point (INF(Yp, Yv)) of iso-power having a maximum slope break in absolute value, during a third step (E3), the optimum adjustment points (INF(Yp, Yv)) for the target electrical powers (P1, P2, ... Pn) are recorded.

Disclosed is an apparatus that adapts the rate of its computational work to match the availability of energy harvested from a stochastic energy source; and, with respect to some types of energy harvesting, regulates the rate of energy capture, the rate of energy conversion, and the rate of consumption of stored potential energy, through its alteration, regulation, and / or adjustment, of that same computational work load.

A flow modifying element for a wind turbine blade is provided. A wind turbine blade (10) comprises a blade body (20) having a leading edge (16), a suction surface (18) and a pressure surface (19). The flow modifying element (30) is configured to provide a trailing edge (17) for at least a longitudinal section (15) of the wind turbine blade (10). The flow modifying element (30) and the blade body (20) form an aerodynamic profile. The flow modifying element (30) comprises: a suction side (32); a pressure side (33); a trailing end (37) providing a trailing edge (17) of the aerodynamic profile; and a pressure surface extension section (39) on the pressure side (33), the pressure surface extension section (39) configured to extend the pressure surface (19) of the blade body (20) towards the aft end (37). A pressure side contour section (40) of the flow modifying element has the shape of a concave curve and forms a recessed portion (44).

An energy generation system includes a water foil configured to be disposed in an ocean current and travel in a figure-8 path. Blades attached to the water foil are configured to be actuated by the ocean current. A generator operatively coupled to the blades is configured to be actuated by the blades and produce electrical energy. The electrical energy is configured to be transmitted to another location, stored locally or remotely, and used by the system such as powering a water pump. The system harnesses deep ocean currents to generate renewable power that can be transmitted onshore or used to power underwater equipment like pumps for transferring nutrient-rich deep water to shallower depths.

A marine energy system comprising: a torpedo housing; a wing housing coupled to and separated from the torpedo housing by a shaft; and an energy converter located within the torpedo housing, wherein the wing housing is configured to move through a fluid current to drive the energy converter. The energy converter may comprise a generator configured to produce electrical energy or a pump adapted to move fluid from a depth location to a shallow location. The wing housing may be configured to move in a figure-8 pattern through the fluid current at 4-8 times the speed of the fluid current. A propeller may be coupled to the wing housing and configured to drive the energy converter.

The application discloses a control method based on acceleration guarantee safety and a wind driven generator, and the method comprises the following steps: calculating current turbulence data corresponding to current acceleration data by using a turbulence prediction mapping function, determining that the current turbulence data is in a certain region of a weak turbulence region, a medium turbulence region and a strong turbulence region; and adopting different strategies. The method has no error in space, is more accurate in turbulence data calculation, reduces the steps of waiting for a weather station or a wind measurement tower test and transmitting turbulence data compared with the related art, and improves the efficiency of obtaining turbulence data. Meanwhile, the intensity of turbulence encountered by the wind driven generator is judged based on the turbulence data, and reasonable strategies are made according to the judgment result, so that the safety of the wind driven generator and the power grid downstream of the wind driven generator is guaranteed.

A system and method operate a wind farm having a plurality of wind turbines, and include determining a wind direction of a wind affecting the wind farm. Based on the wind direction, at least one upwind turbine is identified that produces a wake effect on one or more downwind wind turbines, the upwind wind turbine and affected downwind wind turbines defining a cluster. Based on a current yaw position of the upwind turbine and the wind direction, a yaw steer is determined for the upwind turbine to reduce the wake effect on the downstream wind turbines in the cluster. The yaw steer is based on increasing a net energy gain from the cluster, the net energy gain determined by subtracting an energy cost of the yaw steer from an increased energy production of the cluster resulting from the yaw steer. The upwind wind turbine is controlled to change yaw position in accordance with the yaw steer when the net energy gain satisfies a minimum threshold level.

To provide a system and a method for optimizing control of a wind turbine.SOLUTION: The present disclosure relates to a method of optimizing control of a wind turbine comprising receiving, via a control system, a state of the wind turbine. The method also includes estimating a current condition of the wind turbine using the state. The method also includes computing, via a model implemented by the control system, a linearized representation of the operation of the wind turbine for a future time interval following the current condition. The method also includes defining an optimization problem to be solved. The method also includes determining a pitch adjustment factor for modifying a current state of the wind turbine. The method also includes calculating, via an optimization solver, an optimized pitch parameter of a rotor blade of the wind turbine. The method also includes adjusting a pitch parameter of the rotor blade to an optimized pitch parameter to improve control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

A "hydraulic rotating machinery" ("HRM") system provides optimal energy efficiency over a very wide conditions of service ("COS") range by configuring a plurality of variable speed HRMs in a "cluster." The HRMs are interconnected by one or more valves that can be actuated by a controller to configure and vary a flow path through which a process fluid flows from an inlet to an outlet. By actively selecting which of the HRMs are included in the flow path, the interconnections therebetween, and the operating speeds thereof, the controller ensures that the HRM cluster continues to operate at optimal efficiency as the COS fluctuates over a very wide range. The HRMs can be identical to each other, or can vary in design. The HRM system can be implemented for storage and retrieval of green energy. The controller can also monitor the health of the cluster and / or of the associated process.

This invention is directed to a system for vertical intermingling of deep water comprising: a surface support; an intake line having distal end disposed at an ocean depth; a pump in fluid communications with a proximal end of the intake line so that when the pump is actuated, fluid from the distal end of the intake line is transferred from the ocean floor toward the proximal end; and, an outlet line in fluid communications with the inlet line configured to direct fluid from the inlet line to a shallowed depth that the fluid origination depth. The intake line draws water from the ocean depth and transfer the water, having nutrient rich material, to a shallower depth so that ocean productivity can be increased.

The aim of the invention is to provide a floatable wave energy converter (100) which has a high degree of efficiency and can also be simply and cost-effectively produced and installed. This is achieved by providing a floatable wave energy converter (100) for converting energy from a wave movement of a fluid into electric energy, comprising a rotor unit (10) having a rotor shaft (11) and rotor support surfaces (12) for generating a buoyancy force (71) which is induced by the wave movement and rotates the rotor unit (10), a generator (20) for generating electric energy, the generator (20) being coupled to the rotor shaft (11) of the rotor unit (10) in order to transmit a torque, and a receiving structure (30) for receiving the rotor unit (10) and the generator (20), the wave energy converter (100) having a control element (40), which comprises at least one movable guiding surface (41), for controlling the movement of the wave energy converter (100) in the sea.

Wind-resistant energy harvesting tower including a main column extending vertically from a base, and a plurality of ledges extending laterally outward from main column, each ledge including solar panel for absorbing and converting solar energy into electricity. Tower includes wind turbine positioned between ledges, for converting wind energy into alternate energy. At least one of main column and ledges is rotatable to orient tower to minimize drag when subject to wind loads. A rotor may rotate ledges to a ledge orientation for increasing wind resistance of tower. Main column may include wind resistance geometry to enable rotation of main column about its longitudinal axis when subject to wind loads. Ledges may include first ledge portion having lower wind resistance and second ledge portion having higher wind resistance and longer than first ledge portion, for compelling a rotation of ledge along wind direction when subject to a wind load.

A method of operating a wind turbine (100) is provided, wherein the wind turbine (100) is operable in plural different operating modes (41-46) that differ by at least one of lifetime consumption of the wind turbine and energy production by the wind turbine. A sequence (305; 741-745) of operating modes is determined for a future period of time (301), wherein an optimization parameter (op) is estimated based on an estimated external parameter (ep). A sequence (305) of operating modes is selected for which the optimization parameter meets an optimization target. The method further includes obtaining a current value (705) for the consumed lifetime of the wind turbine (100)and determining an actual operating mode for the wind turbine (100) for a current point in time (702) under consideration of a deviation (720) between the current value (705) of the consumed lifetime and a consumed lifetime expected for operation in the selected sequence (305) of operating modes. The wind turbine (100) is operated in the determined actual operating mode.

The present invention concerns a control method for controlling a wind farm (10) comprising a plurality of wind turbines (15i). The control method comprises a receiving, for successive time instants, estimated general wind velocities and estimated wind directions of wind (W), on the wind farm. The control method comprises determining, for an initial time instant, rotation commands by solving an optimization problem. The optimization problem aims at maximizing a power quantity representative of power generated by the wind farm, which comprises a first component and a second component, The first component depends on a local wind velocity at the contact of each wind turbine at an initial time instant. The second component depends on a set of calculated rotation commands for the wind turbines to rotate toward the estimated wind directions for each further time instant. The control method comprises sending the determined rotation command to each respective wind turbine.

A control method and associated system provide for thermal management of cables within a structure of a wind turbine. An airflow is established through the structure, the airflow moving along and around the cables within the structure to remove heat generated in the cables via heat transfer from a core of the cables through a surrounding insulation layer of the cables. Ambient temperature and a volumetric flow rate of the airflow adjacent the cables is measure. Based on the flow rate and the ambient temperature, a threshold current capacity limit for the cables is determined and used as a control factor for increasing power production of the wind turbine within thermal limits of the cables.

A method for controlling a wind farm (i.e. A wind turbine farm), each wind turbine having an operating setpoint adjustable by an actuator, comprises: a) determining, by modeling, a spatial region approximately representing the wake of each wind turbine for a deviation angle () and a wind speed loss threshold (); b) identifying each wind turbine within another wind turbine modeled wake based on the modeled wake, followed by storing identification parameters linking each wind turbine with its wind turbine within the modeled wake; c) clustering the wind turbines into a plurality of sub-farms taking into account the identification parameters stored in step b), d) determining at least one operating setpoint for the wind turbines of each sub-farms by means of a method for optimizing the generation power of each sub-farms, e) applying said operating setpoint to each wind turbine.

An example system comprises an enclosure submerged in a body of water. The system also comprises an intake port disposed along a periphery of the enclosure to transport water into the enclosure. The system also includes a turbine generator disposed inside the enclosure and coupled to the intake port to receive the water entering the enclosure through the intake port. The system also comprises a water storage tank coupled to the turbine generator to receive the water flowing out of the turbine generator. The system also comprises a pump coupled to the water storage tank to pump the water out of the water storage tank. The system also comprises a controller to control flow of the water into the enclosure by operating the intake port and to control flow of the water out of the enclosure by operating the pump.

The present disclosure is directed to a method for optimizing control of a wind turbine that includes receiving, via a control system, a condition of the wind turbine. The method also includes estimating a current state of the wind turbine using the condition. The method also includes calculating, via a model implemented by the control system, a linearized representation of an operation of the wind turbine for a future time interval following the current state. The method also includes defining an optimization problem to be solved. The method also includes determining a pitch adjustment factor for modifying the current state of the wind turbine. The method also includes calculating, via the optimization solver, an optimized pitch parameter for a rotor blade of the wind turbine. The method also includes adjusting a pitch parameter of the rotor blade to the optimized pitch parameter to improve control.

The invention relates to a Vortex Micro Hydropower Plant (HPP) designed to address irregularities in water supply to turbines, enabling efficient electricity generation from small rivers. The vortex micro HPP comprises a vertical pressure cell with upper conical and lower cylindrical parts, an inlet channel peripherally connected to the upper edge of the pressure cell, and an outlet tube channel connected to the cylindrical part of the pressure cell, a hydro turbine placed in the cylindrical part of the pressure cell, while in the conical part of the pressure cell, the wings are located at equal intervals along the wall, which are rigidly attached to radial joints placed in the wall of the pressure cell, to which the telescopic levers with loads are rigidly connected from the outside of the cell.