Wind Farm Control System for Dynamic Power Reserve Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern wind farms face challenges in operating efficiently in reserve mode, as existing methods reduce annual yield and do not allow for flexible and reliable power adjustments to meet grid stability demands, particularly during frequency shifts or increased power demand.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling wind farms by dividing turbines into two groups: one operating in non-curtailed mode for maximum power production and another in curtailed mode for power reserve, using advanced wind farm control systems to estimate and allocate power reserves dynamically, thereby reducing the reduction in annual yield while meeting grid requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wind farm operates in reserve mode by reducing power output, then grid stability is improved, but annual power yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wind farm is divided into multiple operational groups (e.g., first group operating at reduced power, second group at full power) rather than operating uniformly. This segmentation allows selective reserve provision from specific turbines while maintaining full production from others, resolving the contradiction between grid stability requirements and annual yield optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts power setpoints and group allocations based on real-time grid conditions, wind resources, and operational status. This dynamic operation allows the wind farm to flexibly transition between reserve mode and full production mode, optimizing both grid support contribution and annual energy capture.
2Reliability
If uniform power reduction is applied to all turbines, then reserve power requirement is met, but operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wind farm operations are segmented into multiple controllable groups with different power setpoints. The control system can independently manage each group's contribution to reserve power while maintaining operational flexibility through selective group assignment and dynamic setpoint adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (power setpoints, group assignments, curtailment levels) dynamically based on grid conditions and wind resources. This parameter variability enables the wind farm to meet reserve requirements while adapting to changing operational conditions and maximizing annual yield.
3Measurement precision
If advanced control systems are implemented for dynamic power allocation, then power reserve estimation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors grid conditions, wind resource measurements, and actual power output, using this feedback to dynamically adjust power setpoints and group allocations. This feedback mechanism improves power reserve estimation accuracy while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind farm control system autonomously performs power reserve estimation, group allocation, and setpoint optimization without requiring complex external control infrastructure. This self-service capability improves measurement precision while minimizing additional system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method 1000 includes: dividing 1001 the wind farm 370, 371 into a first group of wind turbines 10 to be operated in a non-curtailed mode and a second group of wind turbines 10 to be operated in a curtailed mode for providing a power reserve for the wind farm; determining 1010 an actual power production of the first group of wind turbines 10; estimating 1200 a possible maximum power production of the second group at a given environmental condition; estimating 1300 a possible maximum power output of the wind farm using the actual power production of the first group and the possible maximum power production of the second group; estimating 1400 the power reserve using the possible maximum power output; and updating 1500 a power setpoint for at least one wind turbine 10 of the second group so that an expected power production of the second group of wind turbines 10 substantially matches a difference between the possible maximum power production and the power reserve. Furthermore, a wind farm 370, 371 is provided.