Offshore Wind Power Transmission via High-Frequency Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for connecting offshore wind farms to a land-based energy supply network are complex and costly due to the requirement of large and heavy transformers, which increase the structural size and weight, leading to high overall costs that endanger the competitiveness of offshore wind farms.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating electrical energy with a working frequency of at least 100 Hz and using a source voltage of at least 80 kV, allowing for the use of smaller and lighter transformers, and potentially eliminating the need for an intermediate transformer device by directly supplying the conversion device with the high source voltage from the wind turbines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional 50 Hz frequency and standard voltage transformation is used, then reliable power transmission is achieved, but transformer size and weight become excessively large and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter from conventional 50 Hz to at least 100 Hz, and adjusts the voltage parameter to at least 80 kV. This parameter change allows transformers to be smaller and lighter while maintaining transmission reliability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable power transmission and excessive transformer weight.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple transformation stages and intermediate devices are used, then voltage matching is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate transformer device from the conventional multi-stage transformation system. By using a high source voltage of at least 80 kV directly from wind turbines, the system removes the need for intermediate transformation stages, simplifying the overall system while maintaining voltage matching capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the source voltage from wind turbines universally applicable directly to the conversion device without requiring intermediate transformation. The high voltage output of at least 80 kV serves multiple functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate intermediate transformer devices and reducing system complexity.
3Productivity
If standard conversion equipment is used, then power conversion is achieved, but overall system cost becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter to at least 80 kV and frequency to at least 100 Hz, which enables the use of smaller, lighter, and less expensive transformers. This parameter change maintains power conversion efficiency while significantly reducing the cost of transformation equipment, making offshore wind farms more competitive.
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 reduces the size, weight, and cost of transformers, enhancing mechanical stability and making the transmission of electrical energy from offshore wind farms to land-based networks more cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
the generated electrical energy is converted to an operating frequency within the respective wind turbine by means of a respective converter
Implementation Method 2
transformed to a source voltage by means of a respective transformer downstream of the respective converter
Implementation Method 3
in which the electrical energy is rectified
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
In a wind farm arranged offshore, electrical power is generated from wind power by means of each of a plurality of wind turbines. The electrical power generated is converted to a working frequency (f) of at least 100 Hz within the respective wind turbine (1) by means of a respective converter (3) and is transformed to a source voltage (U1) by means of respective transformer (4) arranged downstream of the respective converter (3). The electrical power is supplied from the wind turbines (1) to an offshore conversion device (6) which is common to the wind turbines (1) and in which the electrical power is rectified. The electrical power is supplied by the conversion device (6) to a feeding device (7) which is arranged on the land or near the land and from which the electrical power is fed into a land-based power supply network (8).