Wind Farm Controller Upgrade for Grid Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many existing wind turbines lack the capability to remain connected to the power grid during periods of high or low voltage, posing challenges for grid compliance such as zero voltage ride through, low voltage ride through, or high voltage ride through.
Innovation Solution
The method involves replacing the existing farm-level controller with an upgraded one and upgrading a subset of wind turbines with advanced power converters, enabling them to communicate through an upgraded network protocol to satisfy grid requirements, including frequency droop management, and ensuring connection during adverse grid events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing farm-level controller and power converters are used, then device complexity is reduced, but grid compliance capability during voltage fluctuations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wind farm is divided into two subsets: a first subset of wind turbines equipped with upgraded power converters for full grid compliance, and a second subset with existing power converters. This segmentation allows the system to achieve grid compliance capabilities while managing complexity by selectively upgrading only the necessary portion of the fleet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the wind farm by implementing an upgraded farm-level controller that communicates with turbines using an upgraded network protocol. This allows the controller to manage mixed configurations of upgraded and existing power converters, coordinating their operation to meet grid compliance requirements during voltage fluctuations.
2Reliability
If a subset of wind turbines is upgraded with advanced power converters, then grid compliance during voltage fluctuations is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of upgrading all wind turbines in the farm, the patent applies partial action by upgrading only a first subset of wind turbines with advanced power converters. This partial upgrade approach achieves the necessary grid compliance capability (zero voltage ride through, low voltage ride through, high voltage ride through) while minimizing manufacturing costs compared to a complete farm-wide upgrade.
3Measurement precision
If upgraded network protocol is implemented, then communication precision for grid compliance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upgraded farm-level controller is designed with multi-functionality to communicate with both upgraded turbines (using the upgraded network protocol) and existing turbines (using existing communication interfaces). This universality allows the system to implement precise communication for grid compliance while maintaining compatibility with the existing infrastructure, thereby managing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method 400 for controlling a wind farm having a plurality of wind turbines connected to a power grid includes terminating 402 use of an existing farm-level controller of the wind farm. The method 400 also includes installing 404 an upgraded farm-level controller in place of the existing farm-level controller. Further, the method 400 includes communicatively coupling 406 the upgraded farm-level controller to each of the plurality of wind turbines. Moreover, the method includes replacing 408 at least one component of a subset of the wind turbines with an upgraded component capable of satisfying one or more grid requirements. Thus, the method 400 also includes controlling 410 the wind farm via the upgraded farm-level controller.