Airborne Wind Energy Park DC Grid Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of large-scale airborne wind energy systems (AWES) with electrical grids poses challenges due to differences in grid requirements and constraints, necessitating improved efficiency and reliability in wind energy parks.

Innovation Solution

A wind energy park connected to an electrical grid utilizing a plurality of AWES, each comprising a kite connected to a ground station via a cable, a winch system, and an electrical generator, with an AC to DC converter and a grid converter unit for balancing power production and consumption phases to stabilize the grid and meet demand setpoints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a large number of AWES are integrated with the electrical grid, then power production capacity increases, but grid stability and compliance with grid requirements becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower production capacityVSAvoidgrid stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wind energy park is divided into multiple independent AWES units, each with its own control system. This segmentation allows individual units to operate autonomously and be controlled independently to maintain grid stability while scaling overall capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each AWES alternates between power production phase and recovery phase in a periodic cycle. During production phase, energy is generated; during recovery phase, energy is consumed for cable retraction. This periodic alternation naturally balances aggregate power output across the park.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of operation

If AWES alternate between power production and recovery phases, then power balancing is achieved, but power production intermittency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower balancingVSAvoidpower production intermittency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple AWES are merged into a single wind energy park system with centralized control. The aggregate power output of many units alternates in phase, smoothing out individual intermittency and providing more stable overall power delivery to the grid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system continuously monitors power production and consumption across all AWES, and adjusts the timing and duration of production/recovery phases based on real-time conditions and grid demand, optimizing power balancing while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional AC grid connection is used, then grid compatibility is maintained, but energy storage requirements and infrastructure size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid compatibilityVSAvoidenergy storage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical energy storage systems with an electrical DC network that directly balances power flows between AWES units. The DC network allows direct energy transfer without conversion to mechanical storage, reducing infrastructure complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

A DC network acts as an intermediary between the AC grid and individual AWES units. This DC intermediary layer simplifies power management by providing a common electrical domain for energy exchange, reducing the need for complex AC-AC conversions and large energy storage systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration stabilizes the grid, reduces the need for energy storage, and allows for efficient power balancing, enabling a smaller grid converter and more compact infrastructure, while also providing a grid forming capability and flexibility during grid events.

Implementation Method 1

a winch system further being connected to an electrical generator for converting kinetic, rotational energy to electrical power as an alternating current (AC)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an AC to DC converter for converting the electrical energy to direct current (DC)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRectification:

Data Source

PatentUS11365721B2Wind energy park with airborne wind energy systems and a direct current (DC) internal grid

Publication Date: 2022.06.21 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS

AI summary

The present invention relates to wind energy park connected to an electrical grid, having airborne wind energy systems (AWES), e.g. with kites. The wind energy park has an electrical DC network connecting the plurality of AWES and a grid converter unit for converting DC to AC, and transmit AC to the electrical grid. The wind energy park control unit controls the AWES to produce electrical power to the electrical grid by alternating between a power production phase, and a recovery phase so to balance the supply of power to the electrical grid according a demanded setpoint. An advantage is that the grid converter may be smaller, as compared to an AC network, because the power is evened out with the negative power from the AWES being in recovery phase. In this way, the invention stabilizes the grid and has a grid forming capability.