Wind Farm Battery Integration for Under-Frequency Power Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind energy plants face challenges in predicting and delivering active power during grid under-frequency events due to the fluctuating nature of wind and unpredictability of these events, leading to potential revenue loss and increased costs from curtailed output and the need for additional turbines.

Innovation Solution

A wind energy plant equipped with power storage devices, each with a rated capacity equal to or greater than the agreed active power requirement, uses these devices to supplement wind turbine output during under-frequency events, and adjusts operations to maintain power delivery through monitoring and control strategies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If output power of wind turbines is curtailed to enable response to under-frequency events, then reliability of power delivery is improved, but productivity is worsened due to reduced electricity export and revenue loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery reliabilityVSAvoidelectricity export
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by equipping wind turbines with power storage devices (batteries) that are pre-charged during normal operation. When under-frequency events occur, these pre-charged batteries immediately discharge to provide the required active power, eliminating the need to curtail turbine output during normal conditions while maintaining the ability to respond reliably to frequency events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a separate power storage facility is added to store power for under-frequency response, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power storage function directly into the wind turbine system by integrating batteries at the turbine level. This combination eliminates the need for separate stand-alone storage facilities and complex interconnection infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to deliver agreed active power during under-frequency events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If power storage devices are used to deliver agreed active power, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance increases due to power storage device deterioration over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontractual obligation fulfilmentVSAvoidstorage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the operational parameters of the wind turbines to compensate for battery deterioration. As battery capacity degrades over time, the system modifies turbine operating points and power distribution strategies to ensure the combined system continues to meet contractual obligations for active power delivery during under-frequency events.

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

Ensures reliable delivery of agreed active power without constant curtailment, optimizing revenue and reducing costs by leveraging stored power and strategic turbine operation.

Implementation Method 1

The wind energy plant is equipped with a plurality of power storage devices, each power storage device being arranged in a wind turbine of the wind energy plant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP4437632B1Wind energy plant
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS
  • EP4437632B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4437632B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4437632B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention describes a wind energy plant (1) comprising a plurality of wind turbines (10_1,..., 10_n) and committed to provide a specified quantity of active power (PFR) over a specified duration (tFR) in response to a grid under-frequency event, characterized by a plurality of power storage devices (10S_1,..., 10S_n), wherein the rated storage capacity (P10Srated) of the plurality of power storage devices (10S_1,..., 0S_n) corresponds to the specified quantity of active power (PFR); and wherein the wind energy plant (1) is configured to deliver an active power deficit (ΔP10S) when the stored power (P10Savail) available in the power storage devices (10S_1,..., 10S_n) is less than the rated storage capacity (P10Srated) at the time of occurrence of a grid under- frequency event.