Wind Farm Wake and Noise Control Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind farm control systems operate wake and noise management independently, leading to competition near the transition from variable speed to rated speed, making simultaneous coordination of wake and noise control systems challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for coordinating wake and noise control systems in wind farms using a farm controller to determine and select control set points, allowing for simultaneous operation by prioritizing either wake or noise control set points based on constraints such as noise thresholds and utility-grid power regulation, and integrating these into a multi-variable optimization algorithm for combined control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wake management control lowers tip speed ratio while increasing pitch set points, then wake benefits occur in variable speed operation, but noise control benefits (lower rotor speed and increased pitch set points) compete for control near transition to rated speed
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on real-time conditions, transitioning between wake management and noise management modes as the turbine moves from variable speed to rated speed operation. The system continuously monitors rotor speed, pitch angle, and power output to determine the optimal control strategy at each moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (tip speed ratio, pitch set points, rotor speed) based on the operating regime. In variable speed operation, wake management parameters are applied; near rated speed transition, noise management parameters take precedence, involving adjustments to pitch angles and rotor speed to balance energy capture with noise reduction requirements.
2Reliability
If wake management control and noise control systems operate separately and independently, then each system can optimize its own function, but the two control systems compete for control of the wind turbine near transition from variable speed to rated speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate wake management and noise control systems into a unified control architecture. The farm controller integrates both control objectives, evaluating wake management benefits and noise control requirements simultaneously to determine the optimal control strategy, thereby eliminating conflicts and coordination issues between independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with multi-functionality to handle both wake management and noise management objectives within a single unified framework. The farm controller performs multiple functions: monitoring turbine performance, predicting wake effects, assessing noise impacts, and selecting the appropriate control strategy based on current operating conditions and constraints.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the farm controller determines and selects between wake control set points and noise control set points, then simultaneous operation of both control systems is enabled, but the system complexity increases due to multi-variable optimization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control problem is segmented into distinct evaluation stages: wake management benefit calculation, noise control requirement assessment, and optimal set point selection. The farm controller processes each aspect separately before integrating the results, breaking down the complex multi-variable optimization into manageable components that can be evaluated and combined systematically.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for simultaneously coordinating a wake control system and a noise control system of a wind farm having a plurality of wind turbines is disclosed. The method includes determining, via a farm controller, one or more wake control set points for the wake control system. Further, the method includes determining, via the farm controller, one or more noise control set points for the noise control system. The method also includes selecting, via the farm controller, between the wake control set points and the noise control set points for each of the plurality of wind turbines. Thus, the method also includes sending, via the farm controller, the selected control set points to local controllers of the plurality of wind turbines and operating the wind farm based on the selected control set points.