Power Plant Output Prioritization to Balance Revenue and Unit Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power plant control methods fail to effectively prioritize power production among multiple generating units, such as wind turbines and photovoltaic solar panels, to optimize wear, loading, revenue, and other power production-dependent parameters.
Innovation Solution
A method that prioritizes power generating units based on associated priority levels, allowing operators to optimize power plant operation by setting maximal allowed power productions for units of different priorities, ensuring optimal power distribution and minimizing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If power production is increased to maximize revenue, then productivity is improved, but wear and loading of units increases reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The power plant is segmented into multiple priority groups (first priority, second priority, etc.) where each group contains specific power generating units. This segmentation allows differential control strategies to be applied to different units based on their operational status, maintenance needs, and revenue potential, thereby optimizing the trade-off between productivity and reliability at the system level.
Solution Approach 2:
Different control approaches are applied to different power generating units based on their local characteristics and priority assignments. High-priority units (those needing maintenance or having lower revenue potential) are curtailed or operated at reduced capacity, while low-priority units (those in good condition with high revenue potential) are operated at full capacity, achieving local optimization of the productivity-reliability trade-off.
2Reliability
If power production is curtailed to reduce wear on units, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The priority assignments and curtailment levels are dynamically adjusted based on real-time operational conditions, including current power demand, unit status, maintenance schedules, and revenue forecasts. This dynamic approach allows the system to curtail power production from specific units only when and where it provides the greatest reliability benefit while minimizing overall productivity loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (power setpoints, curtailment levels) of individual power generating units based on their priority classification. By modifying these parameters dynamically, the system achieves reliability improvement through selective curtailment without proportionally reducing overall productivity, as high-priority units continue operating at optimal levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control strategies are implemented to balance wear and revenue, then system optimization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Power generating units are pre-classified into priority groups based on their operational status, maintenance requirements, and revenue potential before the optimization process begins. This preliminary classification simplifies the subsequent control process by providing a ready-made hierarchy for curtailment decisions, reducing the computational complexity required for real-time optimization while maintaining adaptability to changing conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling power generation from a power plant (100) which comprises a plurality of power generating units. The method involves setting a maximal allowed power production (Pmax) for each power generating unit in a selection of one or more power generating units of second priority (pl2) to a non-zero value, where the maximal allowed power production (Pmax) is determined dependent on whether a first power production gap (Pgap1) is greater or less than zero and dependent on a comparison of the first power production gap (Pgap1) with a second available power production capability (Paval_pl2) of the selection of the one or more power generating units of the second priority (pl2).