Wind Power Plant Frequency Control via Turbine Subset Selection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Wind power plants face challenges in maintaining frequency stability due to varying wind conditions, which affect their ability to provide consistent frequency response to the grid.

Innovation Solution

A method of controlling wind power plants by detecting grid frequency instability and modifying power references for a selected subset of wind turbines to adjust active power production, including reducing or increasing power references and allowing turbines to consume power from the grid, thereby providing a responsive frequency stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wind power plants reduce production of active power to respond to grid frequency instability, then frequency stability is improved, but the ability to provide consistent frequency response varies due to varying wind conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency stabilityVSAvoidconsistency of frequency response

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wind power plant is divided into multiple wind turbines, each with independent power reference control. The controller selectively modifies power references for individual turbines or groups of turbines based on their operational status and wind conditions, enabling consistent aggregate frequency response despite varying individual turbine performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically adjusts the power reference parameter for each wind turbine based on grid frequency deviations. By changing the power reference parameter in response to frequency instability, the system maintains reliable frequency response capability across varying wind conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If power reference is modified for all wind turbines, then frequency response capability is improved, but mechanical stress on turbines increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency response capabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress on turbines

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The controller applies different control strategies to different wind turbines based on their local conditions. Power references are modified only for turbines that can respond without excessive mechanical stress, while other turbines maintain normal operation, thereby providing frequency response capability while protecting individual turbine mechanical integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If wind turbines operate at rated power, then energy production is maximized, but ability to provide frequency response is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy productionVSAvoidfrequency response ability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts power references for selected wind turbines in response to grid frequency conditions. During normal operation, turbines operate at rated power for maximum energy production. When frequency instability is detected, the controller dynamically modifies power references for selected turbines to provide frequency response, then restores normal operation when stability is regained

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2884096B1Controlling wind power plant with negative power capability to respond to grid frequency instability

Publication Date: 2017.02.01 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

AI summary

There is described a method of controlling a wind power plant, the wind power plant comprising a plurality of wind turbines (102) and being connected to a power grid (120), the method comprising (a) detecting a grid frequency instability, (b) selecting a subset of wind turbines, (c) modifying a power reference for each wind turbine in the selected subset of wind turbines to respond to the grid frequency instability, and (d) applying the modified power references to the corresponding wind turbines in the selected subset of wind turbines. There further described a wind power plant controller, a wind power plant, a computer program, and a computer program product.