Renewable Plant Active Power Control During Frequency Deviations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power plants face inaccuracies in active power output control during frequency deviations due to errors in estimating available power, leading to inadequate network support during frequency events.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling active power output in renewable energy plants by determining an estimate correction factor based on a comparison of estimated and measured power within the frequency deadband, refining the estimate using a power plant model to account for power loss and curtailment, and dispatching corrected set points during frequency events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If active power output is controlled based on an estimate of available power, then the power plant can respond to frequency deviations, but errors in the estimate cause inadequate network support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork support reliabilityVSAvoidavailable power estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary characterization of the power plant model during normal operation (within frequency deadband) to establish the relationship between control inputs and actual power output. This preliminary action enables accurate prediction of available power during frequency events, resolving the contradiction between reliable network support and estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors actual power output and compares it with model predictions, using this feedback to refine and update the power plant model parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures the model remains accurate over time, improving both estimation precision and network support reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the power plant model is updated continuously, then estimation accuracy improves, but computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailable power estimation accuracyVSAvoidmodel update complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs model updates during normal operation conditions when computational resources are abundant and frequency events are not occurring. This preliminary model characterization avoids the need for complex real-time updates during critical frequency events, reducing computational complexity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system updates only the necessary model parameters that have changed due to plant modifications or degradation, rather than performing complete model re-characterization. This partial action approach reduces computational complexity while maintaining sufficient estimation accuracy for frequency support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12463459B2Methods and systems for enhanced active power control during frequency deviation

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS

AI summary

Aspects of the present invention relate to a method for controlling active power output of a renewable energy power plant comprising one or more renewable energy generators. Aspects of the invention may be used to control the active power output of a wind energy power plant and to determine accurate estimates of the available active power when the frequency level of the connected power network is outside of the frequency deadband.