Wind Farm Energization Using Sequential Turbine Power Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In low wind conditions, wind farms face challenges in maintaining power supply and reactive power balance without a large additional power source, as the existing wind turbine converters are not sufficient to handle both active and reactive power loads.
Innovation Solution
A method involving operation modes in a wind farm where cable section circuit breakers are strategically opened and closed to supply active and reactive power from a power generator to wind turbines, allowing sequential energization of wind turbines and balancing reactive power loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wind turbine converters operate in voltage support mode to provide reactive power, then the ability to maintain energized state and support grid black start is improved, but the capacity to supply active power to cover losses and auxiliary loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply function by introducing a dedicated additional power source to handle active power requirements (losses and auxiliary loads), while wind turbine converters focus exclusively on reactive power support. This functional segmentation allows each component to operate optimally without capacity conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional power source serves multiple functions: supplying active power to cover cable and transformer losses, providing auxiliary power to wind turbines, and enabling the wind farm to maintain energized state during low wind conditions. This multi-functionality resolves the power capacity limitation of single-function converters.
2Reliability
If a large additional power source is used to supply both active and reactive power loads, then power supply reliability in low wind conditions is improved, but the size and cost of the additional power source deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power supply responsibilities between two specialized components: wind turbine converters dedicated to reactive power support and an additional power source dedicated to active power supply. This segmentation allows the additional power source to be sized much smaller (only for losses and auxiliaries rather than total load), reducing quantity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Wind turbine converters self-provide reactive power support capability, eliminating the need for the additional power source to handle reactive power loads. This self-service approach reduces the burden on the additional power source, allowing it to be smaller and more cost-effective.
3Reliability
If wind turbines are sequentially energized using cable section circuit breakers, then the ability to maintain energized state with small power source is improved, but the complexity of operation modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring cable section circuit breakers at designated locations between wind turbines. These pre-positioned breakers enable systematic sequential energization of wind turbines, allowing the system to progressively expand the energized zone from the additional power source outward, maintaining reliability while managing complexity through structured progression.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of supplying power to an electrically isolated wind farm is provided including a plurality of wind turbines and a power generator. In a low wind condition, where a wind speed falls below a threshold value, active power and reactive power is supplied from the power generator to a first wind turbine and wind farm passive components. In a second operation mode after the first operation mode, active power is supplied from the power generator to the first wind turbine and a second wind turbine, and reactive power is supplied/consumed by the first wind turbine to the cables and transformers between it and the second wind turbine.