Wind Power Plant Controller Grid Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind power plants face challenges in controlling power output during low wind speeds, leading to high operational costs and losses due to the need for power converters to remain in operation, consuming active power from the grid even when producing no or negative active power, and excessive reactive power production.
Innovation Solution
A power plant controller that limits negative active power production and sets reactive power limits, allowing wind power plants to operate within specific thresholds, reducing losses by controlling active and reactive power, power factor, and using hysteresis bands and timers to maintain operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power converters remain in operation during low wind speeds to maintain grid connection, then grid connection reliability is improved, but active power consumption from the grid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of power converter operation modes based on real-time wind speed and grid conditions. The controller switches between different operational states (active power production, idle mode, reactive power compensation only) to optimize the balance between maintaining grid connection reliability and minimizing active power consumption during low wind speed periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (active power setpoint, reactive power setpoint, operational mode) based on wind speed thresholds and grid conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the power plant maintains reliable grid connection while minimizing energy waste during periods when wind resource is insufficient
2Reliability
If wind power plant produces negative active power during low wind speeds, then grid connection is maintained, but operational losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing unlimited negative active power production, the patent applies partial action by setting a threshold limit on negative active power. The controller permits some negative power production to maintain grid connection but restricts excessive negative power that would lead to unacceptable operational losses, achieving a balanced compromise
3Reliability
If reactive power production is increased to support grid voltage, then grid stability is improved, but operational losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-setting reactive power thresholds and limits before grid disturbances occur. The controller proactively manages reactive power production to provide necessary voltage support while preventing excessive reactive power that would cause unacceptable losses, preparing the system in advance to balance grid support needs with efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates a power plant controller (PPC), the power plant controller to control produced power from a wind power plant (WPP), the wind power plant comprises at least a plurality of wind turbine generators,the wind power plant being connected to an electrical grid, wherein the power plant controller,in the event of receiving a signal indicative of a predefined event in the wind power plant, is capable of controlling the wind power plant so that the produced power, from the wind power plant to the electric grid, is a negative amount of active power. The invention also relates to a method for controlling a wind power plant connected to an electrical grid, the wind power plant comprises a plurality of wind turbine generators.