Wind Farm Control Device Azimuth Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind power plant control systems face inefficiencies due to localized control of wind turbine nacelle azimuth, which fails to account for global wind farm positioning and external meteorological conditions, leading to reduced energy yield.
Innovation Solution
A control device that utilizes external meteorological measurements and simulation programs to calculate optimized azimuth settings for wind turbines, considering wind farm topology and weather forecasts, allowing for preemptive adjustments to maximize energy output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If local control of nacelle azimuth is used based on local anemometer measurements, then the control system is simple and responsive, but the energy yield is reduced due to measurement errors and lack of global wind farm positioning consideration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement sources (local anemometers on each turbine and remote meteorological stations) and integrates them into a centralized control system that processes data from the entire wind farm to determine optimal azimuth settings, thereby improving measurement precision and energy yield
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized control device as an intermediary that receives data from both local turbine sensors and remote meteorological stations, processes this information through simulation programs, and generates optimized control commands that account for global wind farm positioning and external meteorological conditions
2Productivity
If external meteorological measurements and simulation programs are used to optimize azimuth control, then energy yield is enhanced, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simulation programs to calculate optimal azimuth settings in advance based on forecasted meteorological conditions and wind farm topology, allowing the control system to proactively adjust turbine positions before wind conditions change, thereby enhancing energy yield without requiring complex real-time control algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the control system into modular components: remote meteorological stations for data collection, centralized control device for simulation and calculation, and individual turbine control units for execution, which manages complexity by distributing functions across separate modules
3Productivity
If preemptive azimuth adjustments are made based on forecasts, then energy yield is maximized, but the risk of unnecessary adjustments and increased wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the centralized control device continuously monitors actual wind conditions, compares them with forecasted conditions, and adjusts azimuth commands accordingly, allowing the system to learn from past performance and reduce unnecessary adjustments that would increase wear
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts control parameters such as the threshold for triggering azimuth changes and the time horizon for forecasts based on wind conditions, turbine status, and historical data, optimizing the balance between maximizing energy yield and minimizing unnecessary adjustments that cause wear
Data Source
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AI summary
Wind turbine control unit (24) with an actuator (34) for outputting a control value that determines at least one azimuth (6) of a nacelle (2a) of the wind turbine (2). The energy yield can be optimized by the actuator (34) receiving an external setpoint for the control value from outside the wind turbine (2), which is determined based on at least one external meteorological measurement taken outside the wind turbine (2).