Auxiliary Wind Turbine for Grid-Outage Start-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind turbine generators in wind farms face challenges in starting up without external power, particularly due to high start-up energy requirements and environmental concerns associated with non-renewable auxiliary power sources, leading to delayed power production and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a vertical axis wind turbine with a lower start-up energy requirement as an auxiliary unit to supply power for pre-heating and yawing of main wind turbines, potentially assisted by a fuel cell, allowing for quick start-up when the electrical grid becomes available, and using locally supplied power for start-up preparations during grid outages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If auxiliary power sources (gas turbine, diesel generator, battery, fuel cell) are used to start wind turbines during grid outage, then wind turbines can start up without external power, but environmental benefits are reduced due to non-renewable and harmful power sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestart-up capability during grid outageVSAvoidenvironmental harm from non-renewable power sources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the wind turbine to start itself using its own stored energy resources. The energy storage system stores electrical energy during normal grid operation, and this stored energy is then used to power the auxiliary systems during grid outage, allowing the wind turbine to become operational without external help or non-renewable auxiliary sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-charging the energy storage system before grid outage occurs. During normal operation when the grid is available, the energy storage system is charged in advance. This preliminary energy accumulation enables the wind turbine to perform start-up procedures immediately when the grid fails, avoiding the need for non-renewable auxiliary power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If pre-heating and start-up procedures are performed after grid power becomes available, then main WTGs can start up, but power production factor is reduced due to delayed power supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower production factorVSAvoiddelay in power supply after grid restoration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing all necessary start-up procedures (pre-heating of components and fluids, yawing the turbine) using stored energy from the energy storage system before the grid power becomes available. This allows the main wind turbine generators to be fully prepared and ready to supply power immediately when the grid is restored, eliminating delays and maximizing power production factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If substantial energy is used for start-up procedures (pre-heating components and fluids, yawing), then WTGs can start supplying power, but start-up time is extended lasting more than half a day or up to 24 hours

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuccessful start-up of WTGVSAvoidstart-up duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional approach of using high-voltage electrical systems for pre-charging DC-link capacitors with a mechanical/electrical hybrid approach. The energy storage system provides controlled electrical energy at appropriate voltage levels, eliminating the need for complex high-voltage charging infrastructure and enabling faster, more reliable start-up procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy storage system performs preliminary action by providing all necessary energy for start-up procedures including pre-heating of components and fluids, yawing the turbine to proper orientation, and charging DC-link capacitors before the wind turbine needs to supply power. This comprehensive preliminary preparation significantly reduces the overall start-up duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables wind farms to start up quickly and efficiently without external power, improving power production factors by allowing preparations to begin before grid power is available, reducing reliance on non-renewable sources, and minimizing downtime.

Implementation Method 1

an auxiliary WTG having a substantially lower start-up energy requirement than any one of the one or more main WTGs. The auxiliary WTG is coupled to supply power to the one or more main WTGs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind power conversion: Wind Power

Implementation Method 2

potentially assisted by a fuel cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel cell electrochemical conversion: Fuel Cell

Data Source

PatentUS9030035B2Quick start-up of wind turbine generators

Publication Date: 2015.05.12 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS

AI summary

A wind farm is provided that is capable of quickly starting up without delay after an electrical grid becomes available after an outage. According to one embodiment, the wind farm comprises one or more main WTGs and an auxiliary WTG having a substantially lower start-up energy requirement than the one or more main WTGs. The auxiliary WTG is coupled to supply power to the one or more main WTGs to prepare the one or more main WTGs for start-up.