Ground-Based Lidar and Topographic Station for Wind Yaw Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining wind yaw misalignment in horizontal axis on-shore wind turbines are prone to errors due to the location of anemometers and wind vanes, which are affected by blade movement and turbulence, and while lidar systems provide improvements, they still suffer from systematic and random errors.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a ground-based lidar and topographic station, with target points on the nacelle, determines wind direction and speed, and calculates wind yaw misalignment using a telecommunication network and external computing unit, averaging data to reduce errors and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If anemometer and wind vane are mounted on the turbine to measure wind direction and speed, then the measurement system is simple and integrated, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to blade movement and turbulence interference
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is extracted from the turbine structure and relocated to ground-based equipment (lidar and topographic station). This separates the measurement function from the turbulent environment around the rotating blades, eliminating the interference while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Ground-based lidar and topographic station serve as intermediary measurement devices that indirectly measure wind parameters and nacelle orientation without being physically exposed to the harsh turbulent environment. The lidar measures wind velocity fields while the topographic station tracks nacelle position, both from a protected ground location.
2Measurement precision
If lidar system is used to determine wind yaw misalignment, then measurement precision improves, but systematic and random errors still affect reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges lidar wind measurement capability with topographic station nacelle tracking capability. By combining these two independent measurement systems, the patent achieves both high precision (from lidar) and high reliability (from redundant measurement approaches), as the topographic station provides systematic orientation data that complements the lidar's wind field measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the external computing unit continuously processes data from both lidar and topographic station, compares measurements, and adjusts the yaw misalignment determination. This feedback mechanism allows real-time error correction and validation, improving both precision and reliability of the final measurement.
3Measurement precision
If ground-based lidar and topographic station are used with target points on nacelle, then measurement precision significantly improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground-based lidar serves multiple functions: it measures wind direction, wind speed, and contributes to yaw misalignment determination. The topographic station similarly performs multiple roles including nacelle orientation tracking and position verification. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by providing comprehensive measurement capabilities from a single ground-based system.
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 approach significantly enhances the accuracy of wind yaw misalignment determination, leading to improved nacelle alignment with the wind, thereby increasing energy production yield.
Implementation Method 1
a ground-based lidar L, mounted with its axis oriented vertically, the lidar L comprising a lidar measuring and computing unit LMCU configured: to determine an angle θ of the wind direction in respect to the Geographical North at essentially the hub height HH; to determine a wind speed v at essentially the hub height HH
Implementation Method 2
a ground-based topographic station S, comprising a topographic station measuring and computing unit SMCU configured: to determine at least the geographical position of the pair of target points X and Y
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to system for determining the wind yaw misalignment of a horizontal axis on-shore wind turbine comprising the wind turbine, a lidar, a topographical station, an external computing unit and a telecommunication network connecting them. Said wind turbine further comprises two target points made of reflective materials placed on the external surface of the nacelle on its side facing the ground, such that be detected by the topographic station. The lidar is configured to determine wind direction angle in respect to the north and wind speed, the topographic station is configured to determine the geographical position and orientation of the pair of target points. The lidar and the topographical station communicate the values determined to the external computing unit.