Power Engine Control Mode Switching for Grid Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Changing the control mode of power engine units from speed control to load control can cause stability problems in power plants and grids due to variations in load production, especially during disturbances like washing turbochargers, and large load changes can lead to rapid destabilization.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that involves sending and receiving control mode data among power engine units to determine if a predetermined percentage of the total moment of inertia is in speed control mode before allowing a change to load control mode, ensuring stability by requiring at least a specified amount to be in speed control mode before proceeding with the mode change.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the control mode of a power engine unit is changed from speed control mode to load control mode, then the power production stability is improved, but the grid stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower production stabilityVSAvoidgrid stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously monitors the control modes of all power engine units and uses this feedback information to determine whether to allow a mode change. The system checks if at least a predetermined amount of total moment of inertia is in speed control mode before permitting transition to load control mode, thereby maintaining grid stability while allowing power production stability improvements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system acts as an intermediary that mediates between the desire to improve power production stability (by enabling load control mode) and the need to maintain grid stability. It introduces a conditional approval mechanism that evaluates the current distribution of control modes across all power engine units before allowing mode transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the control mode is changed to load control mode during turbo charger washing, then the load production stability is improved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload production stabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each power engine unit autonomously determines its own control mode based on system-wide information received from other units. The control system automatically evaluates whether the predetermined inertia condition is met and makes the mode change decision without requiring external intervention, simplifying operation despite the complex control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If large load changes are allowed in the power plant, then the power production flexibility is improved, but the destabilization risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower production flexibilityVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the allowable load changes based on the current distribution of control modes among power engine units. When sufficient inertia is available (at least the predetermined amount in speed control mode), the system allows greater load flexibility. When inertia is insufficient, the system restricts load changes to maintain stability, creating a dynamic balance between flexibility and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3195441B1A control method and system for driving a power engine unit either in a speed control mode or in a load control mode, and changing the control mode
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 WARTSILA FINLAND OY
  • EP3195441B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3195441B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3195441B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention concerns a method and system for driving a power engine unit either in a speed control mode or in a load control mode, and changing the control mode. Control mode data of the power engine units is sent and control mode data of other power engine units is received among the units being connected electrically with each other (31). It is determined whether predetermined amount from the total moment of inertia of all power engine units electrically connected with each other is running in the speed control mode after the change of the control mode (32). The power engine unit changes the control mode if the determining step indicates that at least said predetermined amount is running in the speed control mode (33).