Wind Farm Control Packet Splitting for Fast Unit-Specific Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind farm control systems face limitations in data transmission rates, making it difficult to transmit individual control variables to all units at a rapid update rate, especially with older data transmission technology, which is essential for meeting stringent grid energy parameters and accounting for unit-specific disturbances.

Innovation Solution

The method involves separating control variables into two components, where a globally applicable component is transmitted in one data packet and unit-specific components in another, allowing for different update frequencies and recipient addresses to ensure efficient data processing and storage, enabling faster updates without increased computational power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual control variables are transmitted to all units via broadcast data packets, then all units receive the control variables, but the data transmission rate is limited and cannot achieve high update rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol variable transmission completenessVSAvoiddata transmission update rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control variable transmission is segmented into two distinct data packets: a first data packet containing a first control variable component with a first update rate, and a second data packet containing a second control variable component with a second update rate. This segmentation allows each packet to be optimized for its specific update rate requirement, resolving the contradiction between complete control variable transmission and high update rate achievement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If control variables are transmitted with high update rate to meet grid energy parameters, then energy parameter requirements are met, but data transmission bandwidth and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrid energy parameter complianceVSAvoiddata transmission system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control variable is divided into two components transmitted in separate data packets with different update rates. The first control variable component is transmitted at a higher update rate in the first data packet to meet critical grid energy parameter requirements, while the second control variable component is transmitted at a lower update rate in the second data packet. This segmentation allows the system to meet reliability requirements without uniformly increasing the update rate of all control variables, thereby avoiding proportional increases in bandwidth consumption and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different update rates are applied to different components of the control variable based on their specific requirements. The first control variable component receives higher priority and faster update rate for parameters critical to grid compliance, while the second component uses a lower update rate for less time-critical parameters. This local differentiation optimizes the balance between meeting energy parameter requirements and managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If broadcast data packets are used for control variable transmission, then all units receive the data, but unit-specific control adjustments cannot be made

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol variable distribution simplicityVSAvoidunit-specific control adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control variable transmission is segmented into two data packets with different addressing strategies. The first data packet uses broadcast addressing to distribute the first control variable component to all units, maintaining operational simplicity. The second data packet uses unicast addressing to transmit the second control variable component to specific units based on their identification, enabling unit-specific control adaptations. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by combining broadcast efficiency for common control with unicast precision for individualized adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system employs a multi-functional data packet structure where the first data packet serves universal distribution to all units, and the second data packet provides targeted delivery to specific units. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain ease of operation through standardized broadcast mechanisms while simultaneously achieving adaptability through selective unicast transmission, depending on the specific control requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3507660B1Method for transmitting controlling control variables from a controller, in particular a wind farm controller of a wind farm, to units, as well as a unit to be controlled and a controller
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
  • EP3507660B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3507660B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3507660B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for transmitting controlling control variables (78) from a wind farm controller (10) of a wind farm (112) to units (100) of the wind farm (112), in particular having at least one wind turbine (100) and/or at least one energy accumulator, comprising the following steps: determining (58) a first controlling control variable amount (26); determining (66) a second controlling control variable amount (44) using the wind farm controller (10); outputting (60) the first controlling control variable amount (26) in a first data packet (64); outputting (68) the second controlling control variable amount (44) in a second data packet (70); receiving (62) the first data packet (64) with the first controlling control variable amount (26) using a first unit (100); receiving (72) the second data packet (70) with the second controlling control variable amount (44) using a first unit (100); and forming (76) a controlling control variable (78) from the first controlling control variable amount (26) and the second controlling control variable amount (44) in the first unit (100), wherein the first data packet (64) has a receiver address that is assigned to the first unit and to at least one further unit, and the second data packet (70) has a receiver address that is assigned to at least the first unit (100). The invention also relates to a wind farm controller (10), a wind turbine (100), and a wind farm (112) for carrying out the method.