Hierarchical Control for Multi-Rotor Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-rotor wind turbine systems face challenges in optimizing power production due to the complexity of controlling multiple rotors individually while achieving overall system performance, as existing control strategies either treat each turbine separately or lack a coordinated approach to manage interactions between turbines and the support structure.
Innovation Solution
A control system comprising localized control modules for each wind turbine to achieve local objectives and a centralized control module to manage supervisory objectives, allowing for coordinated operation and improved system performance by optimizing both individual turbine performance and overall system efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If each wind turbine is controlled individually to optimize local performance, then local control objectives are achieved, but overall system performance and coordination between turbines deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two hierarchical levels: local control modules at each turbine handle individual turbine optimization, while a central control module coordinates overall system performance. This segmentation allows each level to focus on specific control objectives without overwhelming complexity at either level.
Solution Approach 2:
The control architecture merges local and central control functions into a unified hierarchical system. Local control modules are merged with the central control module through communication interfaces, enabling both individual turbine optimization and coordinated system-wide performance improvement simultaneously.
2Productivity
If a centralized control system manages all turbines to optimize overall system performance, then system-wide efficiency improves, but individual turbine responsiveness and local optimization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Control authority is segmented between central and local levels. The central control module manages system-wide objectives such as total power output optimization, while local control modules retain autonomy for rapid response to individual turbine conditions and wind variations, ensuring both system efficiency and local responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Local control modules are pre-configured with control algorithms and objectives that enable them to act autonomously when immediate local action is required, while the central control module provides preliminary coordination directives that guide overall system behavior without micromanaging individual turbine responses.
3Device complexity
If multiple local control modules operate independently, then individual turbine control is simplified, but system-wide coordination and interaction management deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system segments functions by assigning independent local control modules to each turbine for simplified individual control, while a separate central control module handles system-wide coordination. This segmentation maintains local simplicity while ensuring system reliability through dedicated coordination functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Local control modules provide feedback to the central control module about individual turbine status and performance, while receiving coordination directives in return. This feedback loop enables the central controller to adjust system-wide strategies based on real-time local conditions, maintaining both local simplicity and system reliability.
4Productivity
If a hierarchical control system with both local and central modules is implemented, then both local optimization and system-wide coordination are achieved, but system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hierarchical control architecture segments control functions into distinct local and central modules with clearly defined responsibilities. This segmentation prevents the need for complex centralized control of every turbine parameter, as local modules handle routine optimization while the central module focuses on system-wide coordination, reducing overall system complexity despite the hierarchical structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wind turbine system comprising a plurality of wind turbines mounted to a common support structure, wherein each of the plurality of wind turbines includes a rotor and a power generation system driven by the rotor, wherein the wind turbine system further comprises: localised control means including a plurality of local control modules, wherein each of the local control modules is operable to monitor the operation of a respective one of the plurality of wind turbines, and to issue local control commands thereto to achieve a set of local control objectives; and centralised control means configured to monitor the operation of the wind turbine system and provide centralised control commands to the plurality of wind turbines in order to achieve a set of supervisory control objectives associated with at least two of the plurality of wind turbines.