Wind Power Plant Controller Mode Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind power plants face challenges in regulating both active and reactive power loops simultaneously due to the intermittent nature of wind energy and the asynchronous operation of wind turbine generators, leading to instability in power grid frequency and voltage, which is not addressed by existing solutions that focus on single-loop regulation.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable power plant controller system that dynamically selects and prioritizes control modes for both active and reactive power loops based on compatibility and priority rules, allowing for simultaneous regulation and adaptation to grid conditions, incorporating multiple control modes such as active power-frequency control, reactive power control, and power factor control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If simultaneous regulation of active power loop and reactive power loop is implemented, then the wind power plant can provide the same quality of service as conventional power plants, but the control system complexity increases due to interactions between control modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of serviceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple independent control modes (active power control mode, reactive power control mode, power factor control mode, apparent power control mode) that can be selectively activated. Each control mode operates independently with its own regulator, allowing the system to manage complexity by dividing the overall control function into manageable segments rather than implementing a monolithic simultaneous regulation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically selects and switches between different control modes based on real-time grid conditions and operational requirements. The ability to transition between control modes allows the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining stable operation, effectively managing the complexity through dynamic reconfiguration rather than fixed simultaneous regulation of all parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control modes are provided for flexibility in regulation, then the system can adapt to different grid conditions, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring compatible control mode combinations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in regulationVSAvoidcontrol mode compatibility assessment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Compatibility rules between control modes are pre-established and stored in the system before operation begins. The system includes pre-defined knowledge about which control modes can be combined and under what conditions, eliminating the need for real-time complex analysis of mode compatibility. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly determine valid control mode combinations without difficult real-time measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors grid conditions and operational parameters, providing feedback to the control mode selection logic. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust which control modes are active based on real-time conditions, simplifying the detection of compatible combinations by using measured grid state information rather than complex theoretical analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2654165B1System and method for setting up, commissioning and operating a wind power plant
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 GAMESA INNOVATION & TECH SL
  • EP2654165B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2654165B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2654165B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and a method for setting up, commissioning and operating a wind power plant having a plurality of wind turbine generators (WTGs) operatively connected to a power grid, the system including a reconfigurable power plant controller (100, 200, WPPC) comprising: a first regulator (101, PFi) to regulate the active power at a regulation point of the power grid according to one or more control modes selectable from a first plurality of control modes; a second regulator (102, QVi) to regulate at least one electrical variable from the group of voltage, power factor and reactive power at a regulation point of the power grid according to one or more control modes selectable from a second plurality of control modes; a management system (103, 201, MS) operatively connected to the first and second regulators that dynamically determines the control modes that are simultaneously selected at any given time in said regulators and the parameterization of said control modes based on values of a number of electrical variables of the power grid, command signals, or a schedule; wherein the management system comprises a control mode compatibility unit (104) that determines, according to a predefined compatibility table, the compatibility of any new control mode to be selected in one of said regulators with the currently selected control modes; and a control mode prioritization unit (105) that establishes, according to a predefined set of priority rules, the sequence in which the selected control modes are implemented in said regulators.