Wind Plant AGC Augmentation via Dynamic Ramp Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind power generation systems face challenges in integrating with electrical grids due to rapid fluctuations in wind energy production, which can lead to power imbalances and frequency deviations, as thermal power plants struggle to rapidly adjust output to match wind power variability, resulting in energy production losses and potential grid instability.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for bilateral communication between wind plant control systems and energy management systems that allows wind plants to participate in automatic generation control (AGC) by applying ramp rate limits to wind turbines, enabling them to assist in maintaining grid frequency and power balance, thereby minimizing energy losses and enhancing grid stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If thermal power plants adjust power output to balance wind power variability, then grid frequency and power balance are maintained, but the response speed is insufficient to match rapid wind fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic ramp rate limits for wind turbines that adjust in real-time based on grid conditions and wind availability. This allows wind turbines to dynamically modify their power output rate, enabling faster response to grid frequency deviations while adapting to varying wind conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between response speed and reliability
2Reliability
If wind plant power output is decreased to assist thermal power plants, then grid frequency stability improves, but wind energy production is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of power output adjustment from binary (on/off) to continuous ramp rate control. By controlling the rate of power change rather than simply curtailing output, the system achieves grid frequency stabilization while minimizing energy loss, as wind turbines can gradually adjust output to match grid needs without complete curtailment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where wind plant control systems continuously monitor grid frequency and automatically adjust wind turbine power output in response to frequency deviations. This closed-loop control enables wind plants to actively participate in frequency regulation, improving grid stability while optimizing energy production by only adjusting output when and where needed
3Reliability
If wind plants participate in automatic generation control with ramp rate limits, then energy production losses are reduced and grid stability improves, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes wind plant control systems multi-functional by integrating both power generation optimization and grid frequency regulation capabilities within a single control architecture. The same control system that manages normal wind turbine operation also handles AGC participation and ramp rate control, eliminating the need for separate specialized systems and reducing overall complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic generation control (AGC) augmentation system and method for wind power plant integration for controlling the power contribution to a grid by the wind plant is disclosed that provides for the calculation of the area control error (ACE) by actively communicating to the wind plant ramp rate limits and curtailment requests contributing to the ACE calculation. The augmented control of the ACE minimizes the amount of lost energy production by the wind plant.