Wind Turbine Rotor Speed Control for Air Density Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines at high altitudes or locations with higher temperatures experience deviations in air density, leading to reduced wind power availability, which existing methods fail to compensate for without adverse effects on the turbine or environment, affecting annual energy production and noise emissions.
Innovation Solution
Adjusting the operational management of wind turbines by increasing the rotor speed in response to lower air density, while considering noise emissions to optimize electrical power output and maintain environmental tolerance, using an air density-dependent speed correction to ensure efficient energy production and controlled noise levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the rotor speed is increased to compensate for lower air density and maintain power output, then the electrical power generation is improved, but the noise emission from the wind turbine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the rotor speed based on air density measurements. When air density is lower than standard, the control system increases the rotor speed to maintain optimal power coefficient Cp, thereby compensating for reduced wind power availability while managing noise emissions through controlled speed adjustment
2Productivity
If the rotor speed is increased to compensate for lower air density, then the annual energy production is improved, but the mechanical stress on rotor components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts operational parameters including rotor speed and pitch angle to optimize energy capture while maintaining mechanical loads within safe limits. The system uses air density compensation to adjust the power curve, allowing increased rotor speed only when necessary to maintain optimal Cp, thereby balancing productivity gains with mechanical stress management
3Power
If the operating management is adjusted for lower air density, then the power output is optimized, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously measuring air density using sensors and using this information to dynamically adjust the rotor speed and pitch angle. The control system compares actual air density with standard values and automatically compensates by adjusting operational parameters, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes power output without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The control system adjusts key operational parameters (rotor speed, pitch angle) based on air density measurements. By changing these parameters dynamically according to measured conditions, the system optimizes power extraction while maintaining manageable control complexity through standardized adjustment algorithms
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
This approach enhances annual energy production by compensating for lower wind power while keeping noise emissions within acceptable limits, potentially reducing noise levels and increasing generator efficiency, even at lower air densities.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor (106) and a generator (110) which are driven over the rotor (106) to generate an electrical performance
Implementation Method 2
a generator (110) which are driven over the rotor (106) to generate an electrical performance
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a wind turbine having a rotor and a generator driven by the rotor for generating electrical power, wherein, according to the invention, an adapted rotational speed of the rotor of the wind turbine is predefined using the adapted operating management and also using the air density relevant for the wind turbine in order to generate an electrical power to be output, wherein, in order to generate an optimised electrical power to be output, the adapted rotational speed is an increased rotational speed in the event of a lowered air density or same is a lowered rotational speed in the event of an increased air density, wherein, additionally or alternatively, a sound emission of the wind turbine is determined for the predefined adapted rotational speed of the rotor using the air density relevant for the wind turbine, and the adapted rotational speed is corrected, in particular based on the determined sound emission using the air density relevant for the wind turbine.