Wind Turbine Cluster Control With Adaptive Trigger Thresholds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting conditions affecting wind turbines are not accurate enough, leading to unnecessary power reduction, wear, or damage, and fail to optimize power production and protection.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a cluster of wind turbines that involves obtaining measurements, deriving parameter values, comparing them to trigger values, and adjusting these values based on an expected distribution of measurements to ensure accurate detection of conditions, thereby initiating appropriate measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conditions are detected using prior art methods, then measures can be initiated to protect wind turbines, but the detection accuracy is insufficient leading to unnecessary power reduction and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines measurements from multiple wind turbines to establish a distribution pattern, merging individual measurements into a collective statistical model that improves detection accuracy while reducing false alarms
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors parameter distributions and adjusts trigger values based on the established distribution patterns, creating a feedback mechanism that refines detection accuracy over time while maintaining reliable operation
2Reliability
If trigger values are set low to detect conditions early, then protection is improved, but false alarms increase causing unnecessary power reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a statistical threshold based on distribution patterns rather than a fixed low trigger value, applying partial action only when measurements deviate significantly from the expected distribution, thus avoiding unnecessary power reduction while maintaining protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the trigger value based on the established distribution parameters (mean and standard deviation), changing the threshold adaptively to distinguish between normal variation and actual conditions requiring protection measures
3Productivity
If trigger values are set high to avoid false alarms, then power production is maintained, but detection accuracy decreases allowing conditions to go undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements during normal operation to establish the distribution pattern before actual conditions occur, preparing the statistical baseline in advance to enable accurate detection without compromising power production
4Device complexity
If individual wind turbine measurements are used alone, then simple detection is possible, but accuracy is insufficient due to measurement variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges measurements from multiple wind turbines to create a collective distribution pattern, combining simple individual measurements into a more accurate statistical model that improves detection precision without requiring complex individual sensors
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method for operating a cluster (1) of a plurality of wind turbines (2) is disclosed. For each of the wind turbines (2), one or more parameter values of a parameter being indicative for a condition occurring at the wind turbine (2) are derived, based the measurements obtained by the wind turbine (2). In the case that a derived parameter value for a specific wind turbine (2) exceeds a trigger value, measures for mitigating an effect of the condition at the specific wind turbine (2) are initiated. The derived parameter values for the wind turbines (2) of the cluster (1) of wind turbines (2) are compared to an expected distribution (9) of the parameter values. In the case that a distribution of the derived parameter values differs from the expected distribution (9) of the parameter values, the trigger value is adjusted, and the adjusted trigger value is subsequently applied when comparing the derived parameter values to the trigger value.