Hybrid Renewable Energy Facility Controller Power Setpoint Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid renewable energy facilities with multiple power sources of varying response rates face challenges in efficiently managing power distribution to optimize performance and economic operation, as existing control systems struggle to dynamically adjust power outputs among assets with different response characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automatically controlling hybrid renewable energy facilities using a farm-level controller to generate power change requests, prioritizing power sources based on response rates, and adjusting power outputs to maintain a desired farm-level power set point, allowing for seamless transition between power sources with different response rates, including wind turbines and energy storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a hybrid renewable energy facility uses multiple power sources with different response rates, then the facility can optimize power production and economic performance, but the control system complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into hierarchical levels: a central farm-level controller that manages overall power setpoints and individual asset controllers that handle specific power sources. This segmentation allows complex control functions to be distributed, reducing the complexity burden at any single control point while maintaining optimized power production across all assets.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts power setpoints for individual assets based on their response rates and current operating conditions. The system automatically modifies the first power setpoint to a second power setpoint in response to changing conditions, enabling flexible optimization of power production from multiple sources with different response characteristics without requiring manual reconfiguration.
2Productivity
If the control system dynamically adjusts power outputs among assets with different response characteristics, then operational efficiency improves, but the difficulty of controlling and coordinating multiple assets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic control by automatically modifying power setpoints for individual assets based on their response rates and real-time operating conditions. The farm-level controller dynamically adjusts the first power setpoint to a second power setpoint, and individual asset controllers automatically respond with appropriate power output changes, eliminating the need for manual coordination while maintaining high operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the farm-level controller monitors the actual power output from multiple assets and compares it against target setpoints. Based on this feedback, the system automatically modifies power setpoints for individual assets, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains operational efficiency without requiring continuous manual intervention or complex coordination procedures.
3Speed
If faster response assets are used during peak demand, then power delivery speed improves, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the mix of power sources based on real-time conditions. During peak demand periods when fast response is critical, the system increases power setpoints for faster-response assets. During off-peak periods, it reduces their usage and relies more on slower, more economical sources. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between power delivery speed and operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (power setpoints) for different assets based on demand conditions. By modifying the first power setpoint to a second power setpoint in response to changing demand, the system can shift the operational mix between fast-response and economical power sources, thereby changing the balance between speed and cost without requiring physical infrastructure changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for automatically controlling a renewable energy facility having a plurality of power sources includes operating, via a farm-level controller, the hybrid renewable energy facility at a first farm-level power set point. The method also includes modifying, via the farm-level controller, the first power set point to a second farm-level power set point. In response to modifying the first power set point to the second farm-level power set point, the method includes generating one or more power change requests for individual controllers of the plurality of power sources. Further, the method includes generating a power output via the plurality of power sources so as to transfer power generation from one of the plurality of power sources to another while minimizing the impact on farm-level production.