Adaptive Wind Turbine Control Strategy Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine control strategies compromise efficiency and power production to protect the turbine from fatigue and wear, leading to lower utilization of wind energy and increased maintenance costs, especially in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A method that dynamically selects and adjusts a combination of control strategies, such as common, collective, and individual blade pitch strategies, and yaw control, based on real-time load and operational values to optimize efficiency and reduce fatigue, using a decision unit to choose the appropriate control strategies and adjust their weighting for optimal power production and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If collective or individual blade pitch control strategies and/or yaw control strategy are applied continuously, then fatigue loads on wind turbine components are reduced, but annual power production decreases by 0.5-1% and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the control strategy selection variable and adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically switches between different control strategies (common, collective, individual blade pitch control, and yaw control) based on real-time operating conditions such as wind speed, turbulence intensity, and fatigue load thresholds. This dynamic adaptation allows the wind turbine to optimize the balance between fatigue reduction and power production, applying protective control strategies only when necessary rather than continuously.
2Reliability
If protective control strategies are applied continuously, then wind turbine components are protected from wear and tear, but maintenance costs increase especially for remote offshore wind turbines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing protective control strategies only to the extent necessary under specific conditions. Instead of continuous application of all protective measures, the system selectively activates collective or individual blade pitch control and yaw control only when operating conditions indicate a need for fatigue reduction. This partial application of protective actions reduces unnecessary wear on adjustment mechanisms while maintaining adequate component protection, thereby lowering maintenance costs for remote offshore wind turbines.
3Device complexity
If a single control strategy is used for all operating conditions, then control system complexity is reduced, but efficiency and utilization of wind energy decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a control system that can perform multiple functions through a single integrated decision-making framework. The control system is designed to evaluate various operating conditions and selectively apply different control strategies (common pitch, collective pitch, individual pitch, and yaw control) based on real-time conditions. This multi-functional capability allows the system to optimize wind energy utilization across diverse operating scenarios while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic decision logic.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for controlling at least one adjustment mechanism of a wind turbine, said method comprising the steps of: establishing at least one load or operational value of the wind turbine, choosing a combination of at least two control strategies from a set of different control strategies based on the established at least one load or operational value, and applying the chosen combination of control strategies to control said at least one adjustment mechanism. The invention also relates to a wind turbine and a wind park.