Wind Turbine Central Controller Dual Network Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing bandwidth requirements and access points in wind turbine monitoring and control networks lead to communication bottlenecks, causing delays in critical data transmission, which can restrict access time and hinder efficient operation of wind power plants.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dual data communication network architecture, where critical control data are transmitted via a separate network from high-bandwidth monitoring data, utilizing switches and buffers to prioritize and optimize data transmission between the central controller and wind turbine controllers, with each wind turbine or group of turbines having dedicated networks to ensure fast and reliable communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single monitoring and control network is used to transmit both critical control data and high-bandwidth monitoring data, then network infrastructure is simplified, but transmission delays occur for critical data due to communication bottlenecks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork infrastructureVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single monitoring and control network into two separate networks: a first network for transmitting critical control data and a second network for transmitting high-bandwidth monitoring data. This segmentation eliminates communication bottlenecks by allowing simultaneous transmission without interference, thus reducing transmission delays for critical data while maintaining simplified infrastructure through the use of standard network protocols and equipment in each segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If bandwidth requirements and access points are increased to handle more data, then data transmission capacity is improved, but communication bottlenecks worsen due to network congestion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidnetwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data transmission into two separate networks based on data type and bandwidth requirements. The first network handles critical control data with lower bandwidth requirements but higher priority, while the second network handles high-bandwidth monitoring data. This segmentation allows each network to operate at optimal efficiency without congestion from mixed traffic types, thereby maintaining high productivity despite increased overall data transmission capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Speed

If a separate network is introduced for critical control data, then transmission speed is improved, but network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidnetwork architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a segmented network architecture where critical control data and monitoring data are transmitted through separate networks. This segmentation improves transmission speed for critical data by eliminating congestion from high-bandwidth monitoring traffic. The increased network complexity is managed through the use of standard communication protocols and modular network equipment, allowing the system to achieve faster transmission speeds while maintaining manageable complexity through proven technologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2057519B1System and method of controlling a wind turbine in a wind powerplant
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS
  • EP2057519B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2057519B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2057519B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a central controller (CC) adapted for controlling a number of wind turbines (WT), said wind turbines (WT) are controlled and monitored by said central controller (CC) via a first monitoring and control network (MCNl) and a second monitoring and control network (MCN2). The term monitoring and control network is in accordance with an embodiment of the invention understood as a data communication network which communicates at least control data for control of wind turbines, but may also communicate monitoring data, i.e. measure data. A typical example of a control of wind turbines is that the central controller sets the power set-point (the power to be produced) of each wind turbine in the wind power plant. A further advantageous feature of the invention is also that the important control signals may be separated from high-bandwidth requiring monitoring data, such as analysis data in the communication network.