Wind-Coupled Power-to-Gas Control for Grid Frequency Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbines and solar power systems struggle to effectively support electrical grids during frequency drops, with current inertia emulation methods providing insufficient power response time and efficiency, leading to inefficient energy generation and grid instability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power-to-gas unit connected to a combined-cycle power plant, which rapidly adjusts its power consumption based on grid frequency measurements, allowing for immediate power contribution to the grid during frequency drops, and utilizing gas generation to stabilize the grid and reduce the need for conventional fuel use in wind farm construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wind turbines operate below their power curve to provide power reserve for grid support, then grid frequency stability is improved, but energy generation efficiency deteriorates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention pre-charges energy storage systems (batteries, capacitors, or the power-to-gas unit) during normal grid operation before frequency drops occur. This preliminary energy accumulation allows the wind turbine to immediately discharge stored energy during underfrequency events without operating below its power curve during normal conditions, thus maintaining both grid support capability and optimal energy generation efficiency.
2Reliability
If wind turbines use generator inertia to provide increased power output during underfrequency, then grid frequency stability is improved, but the generator produces significantly less electrical power afterward
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary energy storage system between the wind turbine generator and the grid. During underfrequency events, the energy storage system (rather than the generator itself) provides the increased power output by discharging stored energy. This mediator approach allows the generator to maintain optimal operating conditions while still providing grid support, as the energy storage system handles the transient power demands and supplies additional power without affecting the generator's subsequent output.
3Speed
If conventional power-to-gas units are used for grid support, then power response time is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the power-to-gas unit with the wind turbine system into an integrated hybrid power plant. The electrolyzer is directly coupled with the wind turbine's electrical system, allowing it to consume excess wind power during normal operation and convert it to hydrogen or synthetic methane. This merging eliminates the need for separate, complex grid support systems while providing fast response capability. The unified system uses existing wind turbine infrastructure and control systems, reducing overall complexity compared to standalone power-to-gas installations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables a rapid power response time of less than 20 milliseconds, stabilizes grid frequency, and reduces the reliance on fossil fuels during wind farm construction, enhancing grid stability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a power-to-gas unit connected to a combined-cycle power plant, which rapidly adjusts its power consumption based on grid frequency measurements
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a power-to-gas plant, i.e., a plant that produces a gas, e.g., hydrogen and/or methane and/or the like, from electrical energy, wherein the power-to-gas unit obtains electrical energy for the production of the gas from an electrical grid to which the power-to-gas unit is connected, wherein the power-to-gas unit (23) is coupled to a wind turbine (1) or a wind farm, and the power-to-gas unit (23) and the wind turbine (1) and/or the wind farm form a combined power plant and are operated as such, so that the electrical energy that the power-to-gas unit (23) obtains is generated by the wind turbine (1) and/or the wind farm, and wherein furthermore the wind turbine (1) and/or the wind farm is connected to an electrical grid into which the wind turbine (1) and also the wind farm feed electrical energy.and wherein the wind turbine and/or wind farm feeds only a certain minimum output into the grid and thus forms a reliable grid variable for electrical power production, and any additional electrical energy generated by the wind turbine and/or wind farm beyond the minimum output is supplied to the power-to-gas unit (23), wherein a control system is provided to which a measured grid parameter, e.g., parameters for frequency, voltage, current, etc., is supplied, and the control system manages the energy distribution of the energy generated by the wind turbines or wind farm between the grid on the one hand and the power-to-gas unit (23) on the other.