Wind Turbine Power Coefficient Updating for Blade Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern wind turbines face sub-optimal operations due to mismatches between predetermined and actual power coefficients, which can occur due to degradation of aerodynamic properties over time, such as leading edge erosion or ice buildup on blades.
Innovation Solution
An iterative adjustment process is employed to update the power coefficient by introducing a degradation function, calculated based on measurements of generator power, rotor effective wind speed, and rotor speed, ensuring that the operating power coefficient accurately reflects the actual rotor characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a predetermined power coefficient is used for control, then the control system is simple and reliable, but the turbine operates sub-optimally when aerodynamic properties degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously compares the predetermined power coefficient with an updated power coefficient derived from actual measurements of rotor effective wind speed, rotor speed, and generator power. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt to aerodynamic degradation while maintaining operational simplicity through automated adjustment of the power coefficient based on measured performance deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-calibration by automatically updating the power coefficient using measurements from existing sensors without requiring external intervention or complex additional equipment. The system serves itself by detecting performance degradation and adjusting its control parameters autonomously, maintaining optimal operation despite aerodynamic property changes.
2Productivity
If the power coefficient is updated frequently to reflect actual rotor characteristics, then operational efficiency improves, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous updating of the power coefficient through an iterative adjustment process that runs continuously during turbine operation. The controller repeatedly calculates the updated power coefficient using the latest measurements and applies it to the TSR tracking scheme, ensuring the control system always operates with current aerodynamic characteristics without requiring discrete intervention or complex batch processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate updated power coefficient that mediates between the simple predetermined coefficient and the complex actual aerodynamic properties. This intermediate parameter serves as a practical representation of actual rotor characteristics that can be easily integrated into existing control algorithms, bridging the gap between simple control structure and accurate performance representation.
3Measurement precision
If measurements are taken frequently for iterative adjustment, then the power coefficient accuracy improves, but the loss of time for data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations by pre-determining the functional relationships between measurements and the updated power coefficient. The controller is pre-programmed with the iterative adjustment algorithm and degradation function, allowing it to rapidly process measurements without requiring complex real-time computation or extensive data collection periods. The mathematical framework is established in advance, enabling quick adaptation to changing conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to controlling a wind turbine with an updated power coefficient. The updated power coefficient being adjusted by a degradation function which is determined in an iterative adjustment process. The wind turbine is controlled in partial load operation mode based on a tip-speed ratio (TSR) tracking scheme based on an estimated wind speed. The iterative adjustment process comprises operating the wind turbine to obtain a measurement set. The degradation function that represents the values of the measurement set is calculated and assigned to the mean operating TSR of the measurement set. The iterative process is continued until a difference between the selected TSR and the mean operating TSR is below a preset difference. A continuous degradation function for a range of the mean operating TSR value(s) is thereby obtained to determine an updated power coefficient to be used as the operating power coefficient.