Water Current Turbine Array Row Control for Energy Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control schemes for water current turbine arrays prioritize individual turbine power generation, ignoring inter-turbine effects, which can lead to suboptimal performance and reduced energy capture, especially when flow speeds drop below the rated level, affecting downstream turbines.

Innovation Solution

A method and controller system that receive and analyze power generation data from multiple turbines to generate control signals that optimize the array's overall power output by independently controlling each row or group of turbines, allowing for adjusted power outputs based on prevailing conditions to maximize energy capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If individual turbines are controlled to maximize power generation independently, then each turbine operates at maximum capacity, but downstream turbines experience reduced energy availability and overall array performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual turbine power outputVSAvoidoverall array energy capture

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The turbine array is segmented into multiple rows, with each row controlled as a separate group. The control system divides the array into upstream rows and downstream rows, allowing independent optimization of each segment's power output based on its position and available energy, thereby resolving the conflict between individual turbine maximum power and overall array performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically changes the power generation parameters of different turbine rows based on flow conditions. When flow speed is high, upstream turbines operate at high power extraction. When flow speed drops, upstream turbines reduce power extraction to preserve energy for downstream turbines, optimizing overall array performance under varying conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If turbines are spaced further apart to reduce interference, then downstream turbines have better energy availability, but the packing density and total energy capture of the array decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownstream turbine energy availabilityVSAvoidarray packing density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the power extraction of upstream turbines based on real-time flow conditions and downstream turbine performance. This dynamic control allows turbines to be spaced more closely while maintaining downstream energy availability through adaptive power modulation, effectively resolving the spacing versus density contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If row spacing is reduced to increase packing density, then more turbines can be deployed in a given area, but downstream turbines experience reduced energy availability and performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturbine packing densityVSAvoiddownstream turbine power output

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The control system changes the operational parameters of upstream turbines based on flow speed thresholds. When flow speed is above a threshold, upstream turbines operate at high power extraction. When flow speed drops below the threshold, upstream turbines reduce power extraction to preserve energy for downstream turbines, allowing close spacing while maintaining downstream performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances the overall energy capture of the turbine array by optimizing power generation across the array, ensuring downstream turbines operate at higher levels than they would with traditional control schemes, thereby increasing the array's total energy output.

Implementation Method 1

The rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades that are driven by the water flow, so as to turn an input shaft of the drivetrain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2655867B1Water current turbine arrangements and group control

Publication Date: 2020.11.04 GE ENERGY (UK) LTD

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AI summary

A method is described for controlling a water current turbine array (1) which includes first and second pluralities (row A, row B) of water current turbines (10) operable to generate electricity from a water current. The method comprises controlling respective power generation characteristics of the water current turbines in the array so as to maximise power generation of the array (1) as a whole.