Wind Turbine Azimuth Control for Wake Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wind farms, closely spaced wind turbines can experience the wake effect, where one turbine's operation is impaired by the wind turbulence caused by another, leading to reduced power generation and mechanical stress, especially when one turbine is operated by a different operator and constructed later, making it undesirable for the older turbine to generate less power.
Innovation Solution
The method involves adjusting the azimuth position of at least one wind turbine upwind to reduce its impact on the turbine downwind by curtailment techniques such as reducing generator power, rotor speed, or increasing blade angle, while maintaining operation to avoid shutdown, and using predetermined delay times and sector-based regulations to optimize wind conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If wind turbines are positioned closely together to maximize space utilization, then land use efficiency is improved, but wake effect causes reduced power output and increased turbulence for downwind turbines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control by continuously adjusting the azimuth position of the upwind turbine's rotor based on real-time wind direction measurements. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the rotor is optimally positioned to minimize wake impact on downwind turbines while maintaining maximum energy capture, resolving the contradiction between close spacing and power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by modifying the rotor azimuth angle in response to varying wind conditions. By dynamically altering this parameter based on wind direction, the system optimizes the balance between land use efficiency and power generation, reducing wake effects without requiring increased turbine spacing.
2Reliability
If the upwind turbine is shut down to eliminate wake effect, then power output stability for downwind turbine is improved, but overall wind farm productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful wake effect by dynamically positioning the rotor to redirect airflow away from downwind turbines. This selective removal of the adverse effect allows the upwind turbine to remain operational while minimizing its negative impact, thereby maintaining both power stability and overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potentially harmful wake effect into a beneficial outcome by using controlled rotor positioning to manage airflow patterns. This approach transforms what would be a detrimental effect into an opportunity to optimize wind distribution, allowing both turbines to operate effectively.
3Productivity
If rotor azimuth is dynamically adjusted to reduce wake effect, then wind conditions for downwind turbine are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where wind direction sensors continuously monitor environmental conditions and provide real-time data to the control unit. This feedback loop enables automatic azimuth adjustments without complex manual intervention, improving wind conditions for downwind turbines while managing system complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-adjustment based on pre-programmed algorithms that process sensor data and automatically modify rotor positioning. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex external control mechanisms, achieving wind optimization through autonomous system operation.
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 wind conditions for the downstream turbine, reducing turbulence and power loss, while avoiding the need to shut down the upwind turbine, thus improving overall wind farm efficiency and operator fairness.
Implementation Method 1
aerodynamic rotor with one or more rotor blades and a generator
Implementation Method 2
wind turbines...feed their electricity into the grid
Implementation Method 3
one turbine influences the other through the wind...experience weaker and/or more turbulent winds...generate turbulence
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a wind farm having a plurality of wind turbines (100), wherein each wind turbine (100) has a nacelle, which has an aerodynamic rotor having one or more rotor blades and has a generator, the azimuth position of each of said wind turbines can be changed, at least two of the wind turbines stand so close together that said wind turbines can influence each other by means of the wind, depending on the wind direction, and at least a first of the wind turbines is limited in accordance with the azimuth position thereof in order to positively influence the wind for a further wind turbine arranged behind the first wind turbine in the wind direction.