Wind Plant Controller Avoiding Common Cause Shutdowns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind power plants face challenges in minimizing shutdowns of wind turbines due to common cause events, as existing systems rely on potentially failure-prone sensors to monitor wind conditions and loads.
Innovation Solution
A power plant controller detects shutdowns of individual wind turbines and adjusts operating parameters of other turbines, such as power output or rotational speed, to reduce loads and prevent simultaneous shutdowns without relying on wind or load sensors, allowing turbines to continue generating power while minimizing the risk of common cause failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wind sensors or load sensors are used to monitor wind conditions and turbine loads, then early warning and control actions can be taken to protect turbines, but the system becomes prone to sensor failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the shutdown detection function from sensor-based systems and implements it through direct monitoring of turbine operational status. The controller detects shutdowns by monitoring whether turbines are generating power, eliminating the need for separate wind sensors or load sensors while maintaining the ability to identify when turbines shut down due to wind conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The power plant controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates between turbines based on shutdown events. Instead of relying on sensors to directly protect each turbine, the controller receives shutdown information from one turbine and uses this as a trigger to modify operating parameters of downstream turbines, creating a coordinated protection mechanism.
2Productivity
If all wind turbines operate at full power output, then maximum energy generation is achieved, but the risk of simultaneous shutdowns due to common cause events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting a shutdown event at one turbine and proactively modifying operating parameters of downstream turbines before they encounter the same extreme wind conditions. This advance coordination allows downstream turbines to reduce loads or adjust operations in anticipation of harsh wind conditions, preventing shutdowns before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using shutdown events at one turbine as information to adjust the operation of other turbines. The controller continuously monitors turbine status and uses this feedback to coordinate operations across the wind farm, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing wind conditions and prevents common cause shutdowns.
3Productivity
If the second wind turbine maintains normal operating parameters, then maximum power generation is achieved, but it is more likely to shutdown due to the same wind conditions that caused the first turbine to shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
Upon detecting a shutdown at the first turbine, the controller immediately modifies operating parameters of the second turbine in advance of the second turbine encountering the same extreme wind conditions. This preliminary action reduces the likelihood of shutdown while maintaining operational status, allowing the turbine to continue generating power at reduced levels.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wind power plant comprising a plurality of wind turbines, the power plant further comprising: a power plant controller connected to at least a first and a second of the plurality of wind turbines; the power plant controller comprising means for detecting a shutdown of the first wind turbine in response to current wind conditions; the power plant controller further comprising means to control the second wind turbine such that an operating parameter of the second wind turbine is modified in response to a detection of a shutdown of the first wind turbine in response to current wind conditions.