Wind Power Plant Frequency Support Using Power-to-X Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solutions for power plants with wind turbine generators fail to provide efficient frequency support to the electric power grid, particularly due to the reduction of inertia in the grid caused by the increasing penetration of variable-speed wind turbine generators.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves initiating an inertia emulation response period in wind turbine generators to increase electric power generation and provide frequency support, while simultaneously reducing electric power consumption of Power-to-X units to a lower level or zero, thereby compensating for the power drop and improving frequency support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If variable-speed wind turbine generators are increasingly penetrated into the electric power grid, then the adaptability and efficiency of power generation are improved, but the inertia of the electric power grid is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Power-to-X units as intermediary components that convert excess electric power from wind turbine generators into storable forms (chemical energy, thermal energy, or mechanical energy). This mediator system allows the grid to accommodate variable-speed wind turbines while maintaining stability by storing excess energy and releasing it during frequency drops, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and inertia.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy storage parameters by utilizing Power-to-X units that can store energy in multiple forms (chemical, thermal, mechanical). By transforming the energy parameters from electrical to storable forms and back, the system maintains grid inertia while accommodating variable-speed wind turbines, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.
2Reliability
If wind turbine generators provide frequency support by releasing additional electric power during frequency drops, then the frequency stability is improved, but the rotational energy of the rotor is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having Power-to-X units store energy in advance during normal operation. When frequency drops occur, the pre-stored energy is rapidly released to support frequency stability, eliminating the need to draw rotational energy from the turbine rotor. This resolves the contradiction between frequency stability and rotational energy maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The Power-to-X units serve as an intermediary energy buffer between the wind turbine generators and the grid. During frequency drops, the intermediary releases pre-stored energy to the grid instead of extracting rotational energy from the turbine, thus maintaining both frequency stability and rotor rotational energy.
3Reliability
If wind turbine generators increase electric power generation during inertia emulation response period, then the frequency support is improved, but the power drop during recovery period is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The Power-to-X units act as an intermediary power buffer that compensates for the power drop during the recovery period. While the wind turbine generators increase power generation during the inertia emulation response, the Power-to-X units simultaneously release pre-stored energy to offset the subsequent power drop, thus maintaining both frequency support and power stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by having Power-to-X units pre-store energy that will be used to counteract the power drop during recovery. This preliminary preparation of opposing action (energy release) neutralizes the harmful effect of power drop, resolving the contradiction between frequency support and power stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a power plant comprising one or more wind turbine generators and one or more Power-to-X units, the Power-to-X unit being configured to convert electric power from the power plant to X, the power plant being connected to an electric power grid. The method comprises: in response to an under-frequency support request with regard to the electric power grid, determining to initiate an inertia emulation response period of the one or more wind turbine generators so as to increase the electric power generation of the wind turbine generator for providing frequency support to the electric power grid; and when or after it has been determined to initiate the inertia emulation response period, initiating an electric power consumption reduction period of the Power-to-X unit so as to reduce the electric power consumption of the Power-to-X unit to a lower level or zero.