Virtual Wind Power Plant Control for Critical Grid Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electricity distribution grids with fixed control areas and generator-consumer structures fail to utilize the full potential of renewable energy, particularly in critical grid situations, leading to inefficiencies and instability.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling an electricity distribution grid by dynamically combining geographically separate wind farms into a virtual wind power plant, using a grid control center to manage power outputs based on weather forecasts and grid conditions to maintain voltage quality, frequency stability, and uninterrupted availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed control areas with fixed generator-consumer structures are used, then grid operator responsibility is clearly defined, but the full potential of renewable energy cannot be utilized and grid stability deteriorates in critical situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control areas that can be reconfigured in real-time based on grid conditions and renewable energy availability. Instead of fixed geographical boundaries, control areas are dynamically adjusted to optimize renewable energy utilization while maintaining grid stability, allowing the system to adapt to changing weather patterns and load demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the grid control into flexible, reconfigurable control areas that can be dynamically created and modified. This segmentation allows independent optimization of different grid regions based on local renewable energy resources and load characteristics, improving overall system adaptability without compromising stability.
2Reliability
If geographically separate wind farms are operated independently, then individual farm control is simplified, but overall grid controllability and stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple geographically separate wind farms into virtual power plants that are coordinated through a centralized control system. This combining approach aggregates the controllable capacity of individual farms, improving overall grid controllability and stability while managing complexity through hierarchical control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with multi-functionality to handle both individual wind farm operations and aggregated virtual power plant coordination. This universal control architecture can operate at multiple levels, managing simple individual farms when needed while providing sophisticated coordinated control when grid stability requires it.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic reconfiguration of control areas is implemented, then renewable energy potential is maximized, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic reconfiguration of control areas based on real-time grid conditions and renewable energy forecasts. This dynamic approach allows the control system to adapt its structure and boundaries to maximize renewable energy utilization while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an electricity distribution grid having a nominal grid voltage, in particular in a critical grid situation, wherein a grid control center is provided for controlling the electricity distribution grid and the electricity distribution grid has at least one control region that comprises a plurality of mutually geographically separate wind farms, comprising the steps of: querying power outputs available from the wind farms, in particular on the basis of a weather forecast; defining a control node within the control region, in particular on the basis of the queried available power out-puts, preferably performed by the grid operator; combining a number of wind farms at the calculated control node to form a wind power plant on the basis of the queried available power outputs and/or a probability distribution of the available power output; controlling the wind power plant, in particular through the grid control center, by way of a wind power plant control unit, such that a required voltage quality and/or frequency stability and/or uninterrupted availability is provided in the control region.