Wind Farm Wake Loss Quantification via Turbine Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind farms experience sub-optimal performance due to wake effects from upwind turbines, leading to energy losses that are difficult to quantify accurately, affecting overall power output and longevity of downwind turbines.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for determining wake losses in wind farms by collecting turbine-level data, estimating freestream power output, and measuring actual farm-level power output, allowing for the calculation of wake losses and verification of energy production improvements from upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If each turbine is operated to maximize local energy output independently, then individual turbine power output is improved, but overall wind farm power output deteriorates due to wake effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wind farm into upstream and downstream turbine groups, analyzing their respective roles in wake generation and wake exposure. This segmentation allows for differentiated control strategies where upstream turbines may be operated at slightly reduced power to minimize wake impacts on downstream turbines, ultimately improving overall farm productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by recognizing that different turbines experience different wake conditions based on their position in the farm layout. Upstream turbines generate wakes while downstream turbines experience wake effects. This localized understanding enables targeted operational adjustments for specific turbine groups rather than uniform control across the entire farm.
2Measurement precision
If wake losses are not accurately quantified, then project planning and financing are affected, but installing additional remote sensors to measure wake effects increases system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service by utilizing the existing operational data and built-in sensors that are already part of the turbine's normal operation. The system processes available data from power output measurements and meteorological monitors to self-determine wake losses without requiring external measurement infrastructure. This approach maintains measurement precision while avoiding additional device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing turbine sensors and data collection systems multi-functional by using them not only for their primary purposes (power control, basic monitoring) but also for wake loss quantification. The same anemometers, wind vane, and power output data used for turbine control are repurposed to calculate wake effects, eliminating the need for dedicated wake measurement equipment.
3Productivity
If upgrades are installed to minimize wake effects and increase power production, then energy capture is improved, but verifying the benefit of upgrades becomes complex without a baseline measurement system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing a wake loss calculation methodology and baseline measurement capability before upgrades are installed. The system uses the existing data infrastructure to calculate wake losses during normal operation, creating a reference state that can be compared against post-upgrade performance. This preliminary baseline enables straightforward verification of upgrade benefits without requiring complex additional instrumentation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for determining wake losses of a wind farm. The wind farm includes a plurality of wind turbines. The method includes operating the wind farm in a first operational mode. Another step includes collecting turbine-level data from at least one upstream wind turbines in the wind farm during the first operational mode. The method also includes estimating a freestream farm-level power output for the wind farm during first operational mode based, at least in part, on the collected turbine-level data. A further step includes measuring an actual farm-level power output for the wind farm for the first operational mode. Thus, the method also includes determining the wake losses of the wind farm for the first operational mode as a function of the measured actual farm-level power output and the estimated freestream farm-level power output.