Wind Turbine Control Method for Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced wind turbine control systems face challenges in managing extreme load situations due to unpredictable wind conditions and sensor errors, leading to potential damage from high and unacceptable loads on turbine components.
Innovation Solution
A control method that determines a control signal for wind turbines, stores a control history, and uses the alert parameter to switch between the current and a modified control strategy based on variations in control signals, effectively preventing extreme load situations by derating or shutting down the turbine when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If complex control strategies are used to maximize power extraction and manage loads, then power production and load management are improved, but the risk of extreme load situations due to sensor errors or unforeseen scenarios increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of control signal variations before extreme load situations occur. By storing control histories and calculating alert parameters in advance, the system detects problematic control patterns early and prevents extreme loads before they can damage turbine components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors control signal variations and uses this feedback to adjust control strategies. The alert parameter is calculated based on recent control signal history, and when thresholds are exceeded, the system modifies control commands to prevent extreme load situations while maintaining power production.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring and control adjustments are made to manage loads, then load management is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and monitors only the critical control signal variations rather than analyzing every control parameter in detail. By focusing on the alert parameter calculated from control signal history, the system simplifies the monitoring process while maintaining effective load management.
Solution Approach 2:
The alert parameter acts as an intermediary between the complex control system and the control adjustments. Instead of directly analyzing complex control patterns, the system uses the alert parameter as a simplified indicator that triggers appropriate control modifications, reducing the complexity of the control logic.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control signals are adjusted frequently to respond to wind variations, then adaptability to wind conditions is improved, but the risk of undesirable control changes leading to extreme loads increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system preliminarily evaluates control signal variations against stored control histories before implementing control changes. By calculating alert parameters in advance and comparing them against thresholds, the system prevents undesirable control changes from causing extreme loads while maintaining adaptability to legitimate wind variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by monitoring control signal variations and preparing alert responses in advance. When control signals show patterns that could lead to extreme loads, the system has pre-established alert mechanisms that can intervene before the harmful effects occur, cushioning against the potential damage.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a wind turbine, where a control signal for a controllable parameter of the wind turbine is determined repeatingly at successive time steps, and a control history including respective control values derived from or included in past control signals is stored. These control values stored in the control history are then used to determine an alert parameter for the controllable parameter, the alert parameter being a function of the variations of the control signals over time. The wind turbine is then controlled according to the most recent control signal only if the alert parameter is below an alert threshold, and otherwise according to a modified control strategy. The control method may be performed on pitch reference signals for controlling the individual and/or collective pitch of the blades. The invention further relates to a control system configured to perform the above control method, and a wind turbine comprising such system.