Wind Farm Power Curtailment Using Rotor Aerodynamic Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind farms face challenges in operating within predetermined electrical power limits set by the grid, particularly when wind conditions allow for higher power generation, risking excessive power output and potential rotor blade stall due to negative stall at high wind speeds.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a wind farm that involves determining a power target value, assessing the aerodynamic characteristics of each rotor blade, and adjusting the operation of wind turbines to ensure they operate within permissible modes, avoiding power-reduced operating modes that could lead to stall, by distributing power reduction evenly or unevenly among turbines based on their aerodynamic parameters and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wind turbines operate in power-optimized mode to maximize electrical power generation, then power output increases, but the risk of exceeding grid power target values and causing rotor blade stall increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the actual power output of wind turbines and compares it with the power target value from the grid operator. When the actual power exceeds the target, the system automatically adjusts operating parameters (such as rotor speed or pitch angle) to reduce power output back within acceptable limits, creating a closed-loop feedback control mechanism that maintains compliance while maximizing generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating point of wind turbines based on real-time conditions. Instead of fixed operation modes, the control parameters (rotor speed, pitch angle, torque) are continuously adapted to balance power maximization with grid compliance requirements, allowing the system to transition smoothly between different operating states in response to changing wind conditions and grid demands.
2Productivity
If wind turbines operate at high power output in strong wind conditions, then energy generation increases, but the risk of negative stall and rotor blade damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system proactively adjusts operating parameters before negative stall conditions develop. By monitoring wind speed, power output, and aerodynamic conditions, the system preemptively modifies pitch angles or rotor speeds to maintain optimal aerodynamic performance and prevent flow separation on rotor blades, thereby avoiding stall-related damage while still capturing maximum energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key operating parameters (such as pitch angle, rotor speed, or torque coefficient) to maintain aerodynamic efficiency across varying wind conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes the lift-to-drag ratio of rotor blades, preventing flow separation and negative stall while maximizing power extraction from the wind.
3Reliability
If power reduction is applied to meet grid target values, then grid compliance is achieved, but turbine efficiency and noise emissions are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies differentiated power reduction strategies to individual wind turbines within the farm based on their specific locations, aerodynamic characteristics, and current operating conditions. Instead of uniform throttling, each turbine receives customized control commands that minimize efficiency losses while collectively achieving the required power target compliance, thereby optimizing the overall farm performance under grid constraints.
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
Ensures standard-compliant operation by preventing excessive power generation and minimizing the risk of rotor blade stall, allowing for optimized power output within grid limits while maintaining turbine efficiency and reducing noise emissions.
Implementation Method 1
aerodynamic rotor with a horizontal axis, on which at least one rotor blade that can rotate about its longitudinal axis is arranged
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method (300) for operating a wind farm (112) with at least two wind turbines (100), wherein the wind turbines (100) each comprise an aerodynamic rotor (106), wherein the rotors (106) each have an aerodynamic characteristic value, and to an associated wind farm (112).The procedure comprises the following steps: Obtaining (310) a target power value of the wind farm (112), in particular a target value of the electrical power to be fed into the grid from the wind farm (112), Determining (320) an actual power value of the wind farm (112) as the sum of the actual electrical powers of the operated wind turbines (100), Determining (340) the permissibility of a power-reduced operating mode for each of the wind turbines (100) of the wind farm (112) based on the associated aerodynamic characteristic value, and Operating (350) the wind turbines (100) of the wind farm (112) such that each of the operated wind turbines (100) is operated in a permissible operating mode and the determined actual power value does not exceed the obtained target power value.