Wind Park Control Method for Axial Induction Zone Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind farm blockage occurs due to the combination of axial induction zones from wind turbines, reducing overall power production and causing uneven structural loads, as downstream turbines experience reduced wind speeds and altered wind conditions, which existing control methods fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that determine and modify axial induction zones by adjusting yaw angle, pitch offset angle, and rotor speed of wind turbines based on inflow wind direction, speed, and turbulence to optimize power production and distribute structural loads more evenly across the wind farm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wind turbines operate in a wind farm, then power production is achieved, but wind farm blockage reduces overall power output

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower productionVSAvoidpower loss due to blockage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying operational variables (yaw angle, pitch offset angle, rotor speed) to control the axial induction zone characteristics. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between individual turbine power production and overall wind farm performance, reducing the blockage effect while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control device dynamically adjusts operational variables based on real-time wind conditions (inflow wind direction, speed, and turbulence). This dynamic control allows the wind farm to adapt to changing conditions, optimizing power extraction while minimizing the cumulative blockage effect that would otherwise reduce overall power output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If axial induction zones combine in a wind farm, then energy extraction occurs, but wind farm blockage increases reducing power production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy extractionVSAvoidwind farm power output
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by controlling the axial induction zone of each individual turbine to have different characteristics based on its position in the wind farm. Upstream turbines operate with different induction factors than downstream turbines, creating a non-uniform distribution that reduces cumulative blockage while maintaining effective energy extraction at each location

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (particularly rotor speed and pitch angle) to modulate the strength of axial induction zones. By reducing induction factors in certain turbines, the cumulative blockage effect is diminished, allowing downstream turbines to access higher wind speeds and maintain overall wind farm productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If downstream turbines are positioned to capture wind, then power production is enabled, but reduced wind speed from upstream turbines decreases efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownstream turbine operationVSAvoidwind speed at downstream turbines
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary action by pre-adjusting the operational variables of upstream turbines to minimize their blockage impact on downstream turbines. By controlling the axial induction zone of upstream turbines before the wind reaches downstream turbines, the system ensures that downstream turbines operate with higher wind speeds than would occur under conventional control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from wind condition measurements (inflow wind direction, speed, and turbulence) to continuously adjust operational variables. This feedback control ensures that downstream turbines receive adequate wind speed by dynamically modifying upstream turbine operation in response to actual wind farm conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Power

If wind turbines operate independently, then individual power output is maximized, but wind farm blockage causes uneven structural loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual turbine power outputVSAvoidstructural load distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges individual turbine control with wind farm-level control by implementing a centralized control device that coordinates operational variables across multiple turbines. This combined control approach balances individual power maximization with overall wind farm performance, distributing structural loads more evenly while maintaining high power output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (yaw angle, pitch offset angle, rotor speed) in a coordinated manner across the wind farm. By adjusting these parameters collectively rather than independently, the system achieves both high individual power output and balanced structural load distribution, preventing any single turbine from being overloaded due to blockage effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4115079B1Control method and device of a wind park
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS
  • EP4115079B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4115079B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4115079B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Control method and device of a wind park It is described a method of controlling a plurality of wind turbines (3a, 3b, 3c) of a wind park (1). The method comprises: determining an axial induction zone (48) of at least a wind turbine (3a, 3b, 3c) of the wind park (1); and modifying the axial induction zone (48) for controlling wind farm blockage by adjusting at least one of the following operational variables: a yaw angle (γ) of a blade rotor (11a, 11b, 11c) of the wind turbine (3a, 3b, 3c), a pitch offset angle of at least one blade (11a, 11b, 11c) of the blade rotor (13a, 13b, 13c), a rotor speed of the blade rotor (13a, 13b, 13c).