Dynamic Safety Band for Wind Turbine Control Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Regenerative power generation units, such as wind turbines, face challenges in providing precise control power due to fluctuations in primary energy sources, leading to uncertainties in power output and potential deviations from desired control levels, which affects grid stability and operational yield.
Innovation Solution
A method that dynamically calculates a safety margin based on actual uncertainty, allowing for continuous adjustment of power output to ensure compliance with control power requirements while maximizing yield, by using actual measured values and accounting for measurement and model errors, thereby creating a dynamic safety band that adapts to fluctuating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a constant power difference is applied to reduce target value for negative balancing power, then the desired lower power output is achieved on average, but the values can deviate upwards or downwards in the interim and the criterion of meeting control power requirement cannot be met with sufficient certainty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by continuously adapting the safety margin based on actual measured values and calculated uncertainty. Instead of using a constant power difference, the system dynamically adjusts the target value reduction by calculating an actual safety margin that reflects current measurement uncertainty and primary source fluctuation characteristics, ensuring reliable control power provision while maximizing yield.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously measuring actual power output and comparing it with the target value, then using this information to calculate actual uncertainty and adjust the safety margin accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from measurement deviations and improve the reliability of control power provision over time.
2Reliability
If a greater reduction in power output is set on average to ensure control power requirement, then the reliability of meeting the requirement improves, but it conflicts with the operator's desire to achieve the highest possible power output and yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of safety margin from a fixed constant to a dynamically adjusted value based on actual measurement uncertainty. By calculating the actual safety margin using statistical methods on measured data, the system optimizes the balance between reliability and productivity, reducing unnecessary power reductions while ensuring control power requirements are met with sufficient certainty.
3Ease of manufacture
If estimated available power is used to determine curtailment, then the method is simple to implement, but the extent to which the estimated and true available power deviate and thus the accuracy of provided balancing power only becomes apparent when the reduction is reversed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple but inaccurate mechanical estimation method with a statistical calculation approach that uses actual measured values to determine uncertainty. This substitution maintains relative simplicity while dramatically improving measurement precision by continuously calculating actual safety margins based on observed deviations between estimated and true available power.
Data Source
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Figure 4B
AI summary
A renewable power generation unit, in particular a wind turbine (1), driven by a primary source with fluctuating power output, and a method for providing control power. Control power (ΔPRL) is provided on demand by setting a target value for a reduced power output (Ptarget) that is lower than the available power (Pavail). According to the invention, (i) continuous determination of the actual uncertainty with which a target value for the control power ΔPRL is maintained, taking into account the fluctuating primary source, (ii) continuous calculation of a dynamic safety band based on the actual uncertainty, and (iii) continuous adjustment of the target value (Ptarget) based on the required control power and the dynamic safety band.The statistical uncertainty is determined, and the target value is dynamically adjusted accordingly to create a corresponding safety buffer (safety band): large for high uncertainty, small for low uncertainty. Under consistent wind conditions, the safety band becomes significantly narrower, resulting in a larger target value. This achieves a greater yield while still ensuring compliance with the required control power (with a predetermined confidence level).