Wind Plant Controller Set Point Dispatching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing wind power plant control systems face challenges in efficiently determining and distributing optimal set points for active and reactive power across multiple wind turbine generators and compensation equipment, due to the time required for data gathering and transmission, which can lead to suboptimal energy production and potential stress on equipment.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for a wind power plant controller that determines individual set points for wind turbine generators and compensation equipment by comparing requested power with available power, using internal grid information to optimize set points, especially when requested power is less than available capacity, thereby expanding the electrical operating range and improving equipment longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If centralized control is implemented to optimize power distribution across the wind power plant, then energy production efficiency is improved, but the time required for data gathering and control signal transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy production efficiencyVSAvoiddata gathering and transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized control function into hierarchical levels: power plant controller, wind farm controller, and wind turbine controller. Each level handles control decisions locally within its scope, reducing the need for continuous centralized data gathering and signal transmission while maintaining optimized power distribution across the entire plant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If individual set points are determined for each wind turbine generator to optimize performance, then energy production is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy productionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by allowing each wind turbine generator to receive and process individual set points tailored to its specific operating conditions, while the overall control strategy is coordinated through the power plant controller. This enables optimized performance for each turbine without requiring a monolithic complex control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of stationary object

If requested power is reduced below available capacity to extend equipment lifespan, then equipment longevity is improved, but the immediate power delivery capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment lifespanVSAvoidpower delivery capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of power set points based on real-time equipment status, operational history, and environmental conditions. The system can adjust the requested power level dynamically - reducing it during periods of low demand or high equipment stress to extend lifespan, and maximizing it during periods of high demand and optimal equipment conditions to ensure adequate power delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2896099B1A method of determining individual set points in a power plant controller, and a power plant controller
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS
  • EP2896099B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2896099B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2896099B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention relates to a method and a power plant controller arranged to carry out the method. The method is on an intelligent dispatching of the power production to wind turbines and optional compensation equipment of a wind power plant, as the power producing units of a wind power plant. The invention relates to a case where the requested produced power is less than the total capacity of the power plant, and the invention relates to utilizing this situation to dispatch set points to the wind turbines and the compensation equipment in a flexible way. This flexibility may increase the wind turbines' life time, help in scheduling maintenance and expand the electrical operating range of the wind power plant. The determination of the set points on active and reactive power is a combined determination of both set points for each of the energy producing units of the wind power plant.