Wind Farm Energy Storage for Grid Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind farms face challenges in maintaining grid stability due to the variability of wind energy production, leading to inefficiencies and the need for additional power sources during low wind conditions, as existing methods lack effective ways to store excess energy for later use.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an energy storage device into the power production facility, such as a wind farm, to store excess energy during high wind periods and utilize it during low wind conditions, while also allowing the plant controller to communicate with utilities to adjust ramp rates based on grid frequency and availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If wind farms operate based on ramp rates to maintain grid stability, then grid stability is improved, but power production efficiency deteriorates due to shedding excess power during high wind periods
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device stores excess energy during high wind periods before it is needed, allowing the wind farm to maintain high power production efficiency while grid stability is maintained through controlled release of stored energy during low wind periods
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device acts as an intermediary between the wind farm and the grid, decoupling the variability of wind production from grid stability requirements and allowing independent optimization of both efficiency and stability
2Stability of the object's composition
If wind farms shed excess power during high wind periods to maintain constant output, then grid stability is improved, but economic efficiency deteriorates due to loss of potentially sellable power
Solution Approach 1:
Excess energy is stored in advance during high wind periods when power is abundant and inexpensive, then released during low wind periods when power is scarce and more valuable, transforming the economic value distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal distribution parameter of power production by storing energy when supply exceeds demand and releasing it when supply is insufficient, thereby maintaining constant output without permanently sacrificing economic efficiency
3Reliability
If additional power sources like diesel generators are added to meet power demands during low wind conditions, then power supply reliability is improved, but system complexity and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wind farm becomes self-sufficient by using its own excess energy production to meet future power demands through the energy storage device, eliminating the need for external power sources like diesel generators
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device serves multiple functions: it stabilizes grid output, captures excess energy economically, and provides backup power during low wind periods, replacing the need for specialized backup generators
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
This solution enables consistent power output by storing excess energy for later use, reducing power losses and allowing utilities to better manage energy demands, thereby stabilizing the grid and improving resource planning.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating an energy storage device into the power production facility, such as a wind farm, to store excess energy during high wind periods and utilize it during low wind conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system for an energy production facility (100) includes a plant controller (114) for receiving an indication of a measured power output of the energy production facility that includes power generators (106) and produces output signals. The system also includes a processing unit operably coupled to the plant controller and responsive to executable computer instructions when executed on the processing unit cause the plant controller (114) to: create an output signal that causes an energy storage device (116) to discharge in the event power reserves of the power generators can not met the requested ramp down rate; and create an output signal that causes the energy storage device (116) to charge up in the event that the power capability of the power generators (106) can meet the requested ramp down rate.