Wind Farm Reactive Power Distribution by Component Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind farm control systems do not consider the thermal state of individual wind turbines when distributing reactive and active power instructions, leading to suboptimal operation and reduced turbine lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A control system that calculates and distributes reactive and active power instructions based on the thermal state of each wind turbine, optimizing power generation to reduce electrical component temperatures and extend turbine lifespan, while ensuring network demands are met.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reactive power instructions are distributed without considering thermal state, then network voltage control is achieved, but electrical component temperatures increase and turbine lifespan decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturbine lifespanVSAvoidelectrical component temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by distributing reactive power instructions individually to each wind turbine based on its specific thermal state. The control system monitors temperature parameters of electrical components in each turbine and adjusts reactive power allocation locally, allowing turbines with lower temperatures to承担 more reactive power while protecting overheated turbines. This localized approach resolves the contradiction by enabling network-wide voltage control while preventing excessive heating in individual components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting reactive power instructions based on real-time thermal state parameters. The control system continuously monitors temperature parameters and modifies the reactive power allocation parameters accordingly, creating a dynamic adaptation mechanism that prevents thermal overload while maintaining network voltage stability, thus extending turbine lifespan without compromising electrical component temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If maximum reactive power capacity is utilized, then network voltage control is optimized, but thermal stress on electrical components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereactive power generationVSAvoidcomponent thermal stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a dynamic reactive power distribution strategy that adapts to real-time thermal conditions. Instead of utilizing maximum reactive power capacity statically, the system continuously adjusts the reactive power allocation based on monitored temperature parameters, allowing the wind farm to dynamically optimize between reactive power generation and thermal stress management, thereby maintaining high productivity while protecting component reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring thermal state parameters of electrical components and using this information to adjust reactive power instructions. The control system receives feedback on component temperatures and modifies reactive power allocation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control that prevents thermal overload while maximizing reactive power generation capacity, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If uniform reactive power distribution is applied, then control simplicity is maintained, but individual turbine thermal optimization is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidelectrical component temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling each wind turbine to effectively manage its own thermal state through individualized reactive power instructions. The control system provides tailored reactive power allocation to each turbine based on its specific thermal conditions, allowing the system to automatically optimize thermal performance without requiring complex manual intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation while preventing excessive heating through intelligent, adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2256341B2System and method for controlling a wind farm
Publication Date: 2017.10.04 ACCIONA WINDPOWER
  • EP2256341B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2256341B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2256341B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System and method for controlling a wind farm, for wind farms comprising a plurality of wind turbines having a rotor, a generator, a control unit and means for connecting to the mains of wind farm, said wind turbines having means for generating reactive power according to the instructions of the wind farm control system, said control system calculating a global reactive power demand to be produced by the whole wind farm on the basis of the voltage at the connection point or the power factor required, and said control system sending reactive power instructions to the wind turbines of the farm, the central control system (103) for the wind turbines (1,...n) receiving information based on one or more parameters indicating the level of heating of the electrical components (501, 50n) of the wind turbines, the generation of reactive power being distributed between the various wind turbines (1, ...n).