Wind Farm Inertial Response via Dynamic Frequency Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind farm management systems fail to effectively account for wake effects and system inertia when dispatching power, leading to inefficiencies in energy generation and frequency stabilization in electrical power transmission grids.
Innovation Solution
A method and controller that optimize turbine control inputs for wind farms to provide dynamic frequency support, considering wake effects and wind forecasts, allowing for concurrent handling of power production and frequency stabilization in a single optimization step, with the ability to adjust pitch angles, yaw, and generator torque to maintain grid frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional wind farm management dispatches set-points to individual wind turbines without accounting for wake interactions, then the control system is simple and easy to operate, but the energy generation efficiency decreases due to wake effects impacting downstream turbines
Solution Approach 1:
The wind farm is segmented into multiple zones or regions based on wake impact levels, with different control strategies applied to each segment. Upstream turbines may operate at maximum power extraction while downstream turbines in wake-affected zones use adjusted control parameters to optimize their performance despite reduced wind conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different control strategies and parameters are applied locally to individual turbines or groups of turbines based on their specific wake exposure. Each turbine receives customized set-points for pitch angle, yaw angle, and generator torque that account for the local wake conditions caused by upstream turbines, rather than uniform control across the entire farm.
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable-speed wind turbines operate with decoupled rotor speed through power electronics converters, then the system adaptability to varying wind conditions improves, but the natural inertial response is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control system pre-adjusts the operational state of wind turbines before frequency disturbances occur. By maintaining optimal rotor speeds and kinetic energy levels in advance, the system prepares the turbines to provide immediate inertial support when grid frequency events happen, eliminating the need for natural inertia while ensuring rapid response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors grid frequency and rotor speed, using feedback signals to dynamically adjust turbine operation. When frequency deviations are detected, the system automatically modulates pitch angles and generator torque to release or absorb kinetic energy, providing synthetic inertial response that mimics conventional synchronous generators.
3Productivity
If wind turbines increase power extraction by increasing generator torque, then the energy generation increases, but the kinetic energy stored in rotating blades decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the balance between power extraction and kinetic energy storage based on real-time grid conditions and wind availability. During normal operation, turbines optimize for power generation, but the control parameters are continuously modifiable to shift between maximizing immediate power output and maintaining kinetic energy reserves for future frequency support events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as generator torque, pitch angle, and rotor speed set-points based on grid frequency conditions. When frequency support is needed, parameters are adjusted to reduce power extraction temporarily and allow kinetic energy to build up in the rotating mass, which is then rapidly released during frequency events.
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 approach enables precise and dynamic frequency support, optimizing active power output and reducing frequency deviations, enhancing the overall stability and efficiency of wind farm operations by accounting for inter-turbine wake effects and wind conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the first row of turbines that are reached by the unimpeded flow of air mass may extract a maximum amount of kinetic energy
Implementation Method 2
The system inertia is indicative of a time that lapses until the delayed change in frequency. The rotating mass of a conventional synchronous generator provides a natural inertial response that slows the rate of change in the grid frequency
Implementation Method 3
by releasing kinetic energy from the rotating masses into the system a synchronous generator directly connected to the grid and operating at the grid frequency counteracts a frequency decrease
Implementation Method 4
Variable-speed wind turbines are equipped with voltage source converters which are either designed for the full rated power or, in the case of Doubly-Fed Induction Generators (DFIG), for about one third of the rated power
Implementation Method 5
A method and controller that optimize turbine control inputs for wind farms to provide dynamic frequency support, considering wake effects and wind forecasts, allowing for concurrent handling of power production and frequency stabilization in a single optimization step
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is concerned with an operation of a wind farm with a plurality of wind turbines in view of a dynamic frequency response. According to the invention, dynamic frequency support and power production for all wind turbines in a wind farm are handled concurrently in a single optimization step and taking into account wake effects within the wind farm as well as optional wind forecast information. The dynamic frequency support capability of the entire wind farm is planned in advance according to grid requirements and power system condition changes. While existing methods de-load wind turbines with a static percentage in order to supply additional power when needed, the proposed method incorporates the dynamic frequency support into the optimal operation system of wind farm.