Supervisory Controller for Wind Farm Frequency Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines in wind farms face challenges in maintaining consistent power output due to wind intermittency and transmission line outages, leading to frequency fluctuations in the power grid, which are not addressed effectively by conventional pitch control methods that result in curtailed operation, increased wear, and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A power plant system with a supervisory controller that dynamically adjusts the power output by changing the pitch of wind turbine blades and utilizing energy storage systems to quickly respond to frequency imbalances in the power grid, incorporating a control algorithm that adjusts the power signal through turbine and grid power converters to maintain grid frequency within nominal ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If pitch control of rotor blades is used to adjust power output, then power production can be increased or decreased within limits, but the response time is delayed (taking no less than seconds) and cannot quickly address frequency fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-adjusts the pitch of rotor blades before frequency fluctuations occur, based on forecasted wind conditions and grid requirements. This allows the wind farm to be ready to respond quickly when frequency deviations occur, eliminating the delay of determining and communicating commands during actual frequency events.
Solution Approach 2:
A supervisory controller acts as an intermediary between individual wind turbines and the power grid. It coordinates pitch adjustments across multiple turbines and manages the overall response to frequency fluctuations, enabling faster collective action than individual turbine controllers could achieve alone.
2Reliability
If wind turbines operate in curtailed mode to maintain control margin, then emergency additional power output can be provided, but the wind turbines produce less power than available and operate at slower speeds increasing stress on components
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating mode of wind turbines based on real-time grid frequency conditions. During normal operation, turbines can operate at optimal speeds for power generation. When frequency deviations occur, the supervisory controller rapidly adjusts pitch to provide emergency power or reduce output as needed, eliminating the need for continuous curtailed operation and reducing component stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors grid frequency and wind conditions, using this feedback to optimize turbine operation. When grid frequency is stable, turbines operate at full capacity. When frequency deviations are detected, the feedback loop triggers rapid pitch adjustments to restore frequency, allowing the system to maintain control margin only when necessary rather than operating in permanently curtailed mode.
3Power
If conventional pitch control is used to manage wind farm operation, then power output can be adjusted within limits, but the frequency fluctuations in the power grid are not addressed effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The supervisory controller performs multiple functions: it manages individual turbine pitch control, coordinates collective turbine responses, monitors grid frequency conditions, and optimizes overall wind farm output. This multi-functionality enables the system to address both power output management and grid frequency stability simultaneously, overcoming the limitations of conventional single-function pitch control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges individual turbine control functions with centralized supervisory control. By combining local pitch control mechanisms with global frequency monitoring and coordination, the wind farm can effectively address grid frequency fluctuations while maintaining optimal power output, achieving both local and system-level objectives.
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
The system effectively stabilizes power grid frequency by rapidly adjusting power output, reducing the stress on wind turbine components, minimizing curtailed operation, and lowering maintenance costs by optimizing power generation and storage utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating machine that converts the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy
Implementation Method 2
The generator produces electrical power that is eventually output to the power grid
Data Source
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AI summary
Method, power plant,and computer program product for use in controlling power output by a power plant. The power plant includes a wind farm with a plurality of wind turbines,a grid power converter(such as one or more HVDC links), a sensor to measure the frequency of a power grid, and a supervisory controller. The supervisory controller implements a control algorithm that adjusts the power output from the power plant in response to the frequency of the power grid dropping below a first target frequency by changing the pitch of the blades of at least one wind turbine, increasing the level of a portion of the power contributed by at least one wind turbine, or increasing the level of the power output by the grid power converter.