Wind Farm Stabilization Unit Emulating Synchronous Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind farms connected to weak network points with low short circuit power face stability issues due to synchronizing units interfering with each other, leading to potential destabilization of the electrical supply network.
Innovation Solution
A stabilization unit is introduced, comprising an electrical energy storage device, a direct voltage intermediate circuit, an inverter, and a control unit that operates like a virtual synchronous machine, emulating an electromechanical synchronous machine to enhance stability by providing electrical power and controlling voltage, allowing the wind farm to operate effectively even at low short circuit power conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If synchronizing units are used in converters to enable synchronized operation with the electrical supply network, then the converters can operate properly in a synchronized manner, but the stability of the converter and electrical supply network is compromised due to mutual influence and swinging up of synchronizing units
Solution Approach 1:
A stabilization unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the converters and the electrical supply network. This stabilization unit includes energy storage devices (capacitors or batteries) and control systems that actively compensate for the swinging effects of synchronizing units, thereby maintaining converter stability while enabling synchronized operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization unit dynamically adjusts electrical parameters (voltage, frequency, phase angle) to counteract the mutual influence of synchronizing units. By changing these parameters in real-time, the system maintains stable operation despite the presence of multiple synchronizing units that would otherwise cause instability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wind farms are connected to weak network connection points with low short circuit power, then the connection flexibility is improved, but the electrical supply network becomes destabilized due to swinging up of synchronizing units
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization unit serves as a mediator between the wind farm and the weak electrical supply network. It provides virtual synchronous machine characteristics that compensate for the low short circuit power conditions, enabling stable connection to weak networks without causing destabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization unit creates a virtual copy of synchronous machine behavior through power electronics and control systems. This virtual synchronous machine emulates the stabilizing effects of traditional synchronous generators, allowing wind farms to connect to weak networks as if they were connected to stronger networks with adequate short circuit power.
3Productivity
If multiple synchronizing units are used in different converters, then synchronized operation is enabled, but the synchronizing units influence one another and swing up, requiring additional stabilization measures
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple synchronizing units are merged into a single coordinated control system through the stabilization unit. Instead of each converter independently managing its synchronizing unit (which causes mutual influence), the stabilization unit coordinates them collectively, reducing the overall complexity and eliminating the need for additional stabilization measures.
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
The stabilization unit significantly improves the stability of wind farms connected to weak network points, reducing the required power for stabilization and providing a cost-effective solution by eliminating the need for additional synchronizing units, enabling stable operation and supporting the electrical supply network with active and reactive power.
Implementation Method 1
the stabilization unit comprises at least one electrical energy storage device (battery) which is set up to provide an electrical power
Implementation Method 2
an inverter which is connected to the direct voltage intermediate circuit and which is set up to form at least the electrical power provided by the electrical storage device via the direct voltage intermediate circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A wind farm, having a nominal power, for feeding electrical power into a supply network, comprising: wind power installations, a wind farm network and a stabilization unit connected to the wind farm network and arranged between the installations and the supply network. The stabilization unit increases a stability of the wind farm and comprises: an energy storage device which is set up to provide an electrical power, an intermediate circuit which is connected to the storage device and which is set up to conduct at least the electrical power provided by the storage device, an inverter connected to the intermediate circuit and set up to form at least the electrical power provided by the storage device, and a control unit set up to control at least the inverter such that the stabilization unit at the wind farm appears, statically as well as dynamically, like an electromechanical synchronous machine.