Wind Power Plant Controller Ramp Rate Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines struggle to predictably deliver power due to operational delays and natural variations, leading to potential violations of power ramp rate limits, which can result in unnecessary curbing of power production and revenue loss.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to control wind power plant output by using delays, reduced power ramp rates, and lower power references for wind turbine generators, along with handshake communications between WTG controllers and the power plant controller to manage power production and prevent exceeding power ramp rate limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wind turbine generators operate with unknown delays before reaching ready state, then individual WTG power production becomes unpredictable, but implementing conservative control strategies to ensure compliance with power ramp rate limit unnecessarily limits power production and causes revenue loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the WPP controller receives readiness signals from individual WTGs and uses this information to dynamically adjust control strategies. The controller continuously monitors the collective power output and compares it against the power ramp rate limit, then provides feedback control signals to individual WTGs to maintain compliance while maximizing power production. This closed-loop feedback system replaces conservative open-loop control with intelligent adaptive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts power ramp rates and delay periods based on real-time conditions. Instead of applying a fixed conservative delay to all WTGs, the system dynamically determines individual delay periods for each WTG based on its readiness state and the current collective power output. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the balance between compliance and power production rather than relying on static conservative parameters.
2Productivity
If wind turbine generators immediately begin power production upon reaching ready state, then power production is maximized, but the collective wind power plant output may exceed the imposed power ramp rate limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having WTGs signal their readiness state before actually beginning power production. The WPP controller receives these advance readiness signals and uses them to plan and coordinate power production timing. This preliminary notification allows the controller to anticipate future power output changes and take preventive actions to ensure compliance with the power ramp rate limit before violations occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The WPP controller acts as an intermediary between individual WTGs and the electrical grid. It receives readiness signals from WTGs, processes this information, and coordinates power production timing to maintain compliance. The controller mediates the conflict between individual WTG desire to produce power immediately and the collective need to adhere to power ramp rate limits, optimizing the overall system performance.
3Reliability
If conservative control strategies are applied to ensure power ramp rate limit compliance, then grid code requirements are met, but power delivery is unnecessarily curtailed resulting in revenue loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes control parameters including power ramp rates and delay periods based on real-time operating conditions. Instead of using fixed conservative parameters, the controller adjusts these parameters optimally to maintain compliance while maximizing power production. This parameter optimization reduces unnecessary curtailment and minimizes revenue loss while ensuring grid code compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and associated control arrangement are disclosed for controlling a power output of a wind power plant (WPP) according to a predetermined power ramp rate limit, the WPP comprising a plurality of wind turbine generators (WTGs). The method comprises receiving a first signal indicating that a first WTG is in a ready state to begin producing power. The method further comprises, upon determining that, responsive to the received first signal, beginning power production of the first WTG at a predetermined default power ramp rate would cause the power output of the WPP to exceed the power ramp rate limit, controlling power production of the first WTG using at least one of: a first delay, a power ramp rate reference less than the default power ramp rate, and a power reference less than a nominal power output of the first WTG.