Wind Farm Phase-Shifting Control for Grid Power Oscillations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind farms induce power oscillations in electrical grids, which can lead to instability and require operators to limit turbine connections to maintain oscillation levels below certain thresholds.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for controlling wind farms by determining the phase and amplitude of individual power oscillations from each wind turbine, calculating farm-level power oscillations, and implementing a phase-shifting control scheme to maintain oscillations below a predetermined threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If more wind turbines are connected to the grid, then power generation capacity increases, but power oscillations in the grid increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation capacityVSAvoidpower oscillations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the operational parameters of individual wind turbines by applying phase-shifting control to their power output. The controller adjusts the phase angle of power contribution from each turbine based on real-time oscillation measurements, transforming the collective output characteristics to reduce oscillations while maintaining total power generation capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies differentiated control strategies to individual wind turbines based on their specific contribution to oscillations. Each turbine's phase angle is adjusted locally according to its measured impact on grid oscillations, rather than applying uniform control across all turbines, enabling precise oscillation reduction while preserving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Power

If wind turbines operate at full capacity, then power output increases, but grid stability decreases due to oscillations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower outputVSAvoidgrid stability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a closed-loop feedback control mechanism where grid oscillations are continuously measured, analyzed, and used to adjust the phase angles of wind turbine power output. The controller receives real-time oscillation data, calculates optimal phase adjustments, and applies these corrections to maintain grid stability while preserving maximum power output capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational characteristics of wind turbines in real-time based on changing grid conditions. The phase angles of individual turbines are continuously modified in response to varying oscillation patterns, enabling the system to maintain stability under different operating conditions while maximizing power generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If grid operators limit turbine connections to reduce oscillations, then power oscillations decrease, but power generation capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower oscillationsVSAvoidpower generation capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces phase-shifting control as an intermediary mechanism between wind turbine power output and grid connection. Instead of directly limiting turbine connections, the phase-shift controller acts as a mediator that transforms the power contribution from each turbine, allowing full capacity operation while reducing oscillation impact on the grid through phase angle adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If phase-shifting control is applied to reduce oscillations, then grid stability improves, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid stabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into modular components: individual oscillation measurement units for each turbine, a central controller that processes oscillation data, and phase adjustment mechanisms at each turbine. This segmentation allows the complex control function to be distributed across multiple simple, independent modules, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective oscillation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12297812B2System and method for reducing farm-level power oscillations in the grid induced by a wind farm

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 GENERAL ELECTRIC RENOVABLES ESPANA SL

AI summary

A method for controlling a wind farm having a plurality of wind turbines electrically connected to an electrical grid through a point of interconnection includes (a) determining, via a controller of the wind farm, a phase and an amplitude of individual power oscillations from each of the plurality of wind turbine power systems. The method also includes (b) determining, via the controller, a farm-level power oscillation for the wind farm based on the individual power oscillations from each of the plurality of wind turbine power systems. Further, the method includes (c) implementing, via the controller, a phase-shifting control scheme using the phases and the amplitudes of the individual power oscillations from each of the plurality of wind turbine power systems so as to maintain the farm-level power oscillation below a predetermined oscillation threshold.