Wind Turbine Noise Control via Weighted Rotor Speed Setpoints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face inefficiencies due to operating within predefined power limits, leading to underutilized power generation and a trade-off between noise emission and power production, with existing methods either reducing power or noise control inadequately.
Innovation Solution
A control system that determines a weighted rotor speed setpoint to reduce noise emissions while maintaining or optimizing power production, using a torque setpoint for the power conversion assembly to adjust rotor speed based on wind speed, allowing flexible trade-offs between noise and power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If rotor speed is reduced to lower noise emissions, then noise level is reduced, but power production decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of rotor speed by adjusting the weighted rotor speed setpoint based on varying noise constraints and wind conditions. The control system continuously adapts the rotor speed within operational limits rather than using a fixed speed reduction, allowing optimization of both noise emission and power production under different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the wind turbine by introducing a weighted rotor speed setpoint that modifies the typical rotor speed profile. This parameter adjustment allows the turbine to operate at reduced speeds when noise constraints are active while maintaining optimal power capture when noise constraints are relaxed, effectively resolving the contradiction between noise emission and power production.
2Reliability
If wind turbines operate within predefined power limits, then component safety is ensured, but power generation capability is underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of operational limits by introducing variable rotor speed constraints rather than fixed predefined power limits. The control system adapts the operational envelope based on real-time conditions including noise constraints and wind availability, allowing the turbine to safely operate closer to component limits when conditions permit while maintaining safety margins when conditions require conservatism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by modifying the rotor speed setpoint and constraints dynamically rather than operating within static predefined power limits. This allows the turbine to utilize greater power generation capability when conditions allow while maintaining component safety through adaptive constraint management rather than conservative fixed limits.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If rotor speed is reduced individually for each turbine, then park noise constraints are met, but overall power capture is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control strategies that adapt rotor speed adjustments to individual turbine conditions and park-wide noise constraints. Rather than uniform speed reduction across all turbines, the system dynamically optimizes each turbine's operational profile based on local wind conditions and noise impact, allowing some turbines to operate at higher speeds when advantageous while meeting overall park noise constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by introducing weighted rotor speed setpoints that are customized for each turbine based on its position, orientation, and impact on park noise. This parameter customization allows the park to meet noise constraints while maximizing overall power capture by avoiding uniform derating of all turbines.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for noise-reduced operation a wind is provided. The method includes determining a wind speed during normal operation of the wind turbine and determining a weighted rotor speed setpoint for a rotor of the wind turbine so that a noise emission of the wind turbine for the wind speed is reduced compared to nominal noise emission of the wind turbine at the wind speed. Using the weighted rotor speed setpoint, a torque setpoint for a power conversion assembly connected to the rotor is determined. The torque setpoint is applied to the power conversion assembly to control the wind turbine.