Wind Turbine Rotor Speed Shifting for Extended Auxiliary Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern wind turbines face challenges in maintaining auxiliary power supply when disconnected from the electrical grid, requiring large and costly energy storage devices, and prolonged disconnection necessitates refueling or recharging, which is time-consuming and expensive, especially for offshore turbines.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating wind turbines that involves actively controlling the pitch angle of blades to maintain rotor speed at suitable levels for generating power, transitioning to lower speeds when necessary to avoid damage, and supplying power to auxiliary systems, thereby reducing the need for extensive auxiliary power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If large energy storage devices are provided to extend operation during grid disconnection, then the duration of auxiliary power supply is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine rotor serves its own auxiliary power needs by generating electricity during grid disconnection. The control system manages pitch angles and rotational speeds to ensure the rotor generates sufficient power for critical auxiliary systems without requiring external energy storage devices, making the system self-sufficient during island mode operation
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts operational parameters (pitch angle and rotational speed) of the rotor to optimize power generation during grid disconnection. By changing these parameters, the system can maintain adequate power supply to auxiliary systems for extended periods without requiring large energy storage capacity
2Power
If the rotor speed is maintained at high levels to generate sufficient power, then the power output is improved, but the risk of damage from excessive loads increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the rotor's operational state by modifying pitch angles and rotational speeds based on real-time conditions. This allows the system to optimize power generation while preventing excessive loads that could cause damage, adapting continuously to changing wind conditions and grid status
Solution Approach 2:
The control system monitors operational parameters and provides feedback to adjust pitch angles and rotational speeds. This closed-loop control ensures that power generation remains sufficient for auxiliary systems while preventing excessive loads by detecting and responding to potentially harmful conditions in real-time
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 allows continuous operation of critical systems for extended periods with reduced risk of damage, minimizing the requirement for large auxiliary power sources and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The rotor, which typically comprises a hub and a plurality of blades, is set into rotation under the influence of the wind on the blades. Said rotation generates a torque that is normally transmitted through a rotor shaft to a generator... This way, the generator produces electricity
Implementation Method 2
The method comprises rotating the wind turbine rotor at a first rotational speed by actively controlling a pitch angle of the plurality of blades
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to methods for operating wind turbines (10), in particular to methods for feeding wind turbine auxiliary systems when connection to the electrical grid (102) is lost. A method (100) comprises rotating a wind turbine rotor (18) at a first rotational speed by actively controlling a pitch angle of the plurality of rotor blades (22) while a safe condition is detected, and generating electric power; supplying at least part of the generated electric power to at least one wind turbine auxiliary system; detecting a specified condition; and in reply to the detection of the specified condition, rotating the wind turbine rotor (18) at a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed, and generating electric power.