Wind Turbine Controller Energy Management During Grid Disconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine systems face limitations in maintaining safe operation during disconnected states, particularly when not connected to the grid, due to limited energy storage capacity, leading to reduced safe operating time.

Innovation Solution

A wind turbine system with an energy supply unit that includes an energy storage device and a monitoring device, which switches the controller on or off based on wind parameters to conserve energy, ensuring operation only when necessary, and using a DC intermediate circuit for efficient energy management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the controller is continuously supplied with energy from the energy storage device in disconnected state, then the wind turbine can maintain safe operation and respond to wind parameter changes, but the energy consumption increases and safe operating time is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe operation capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is switched on and off periodically based on whether wind parameters require adjustment. The monitoring device continuously monitors wind parameters, and the controller is only activated when changes exceed predetermined thresholds, creating a periodic operation pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the controller's operational state based on real-time wind conditions. The controller transitions between active and inactive states depending on whether wind parameters (speed, direction, turbulence) require intervention, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the controller is switched off to reduce energy consumption, then energy savings are achieved, but the wind turbine cannot respond to changing wind conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidresponse capability to wind changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring device serves as an intermediary between the environment (wind conditions) and the controller. It continuously monitors wind parameters and triggers controller activation only when changes exceed predetermined thresholds, enabling the controller to respond appropriately without continuous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through the monitoring device that continuously measures wind parameters and provides information to the power supply unit. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to be activated only when wind conditions require adjustment, maintaining adaptability while reducing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Duration of action of moving object

If high-capacity energy storage systems are used to extend disconnected state duration, then safe operating time is increased, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe operating timeVSAvoidenergy storage capacity requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the continuous control function from the controller and separates it into intermittent activation based on monitoring device triggers. This allows the system to extend safe operating time during disconnected states without requiring proportionally larger energy storage capacity, as the controller operates only when necessary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4481190A1Wind energy installation system having a controller and energy supply unit having an energy store, and wind energy plant having same and method therefor
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
  • EP4481190A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4481190A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4481190A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a wind turbine system (10) for a wind turbine (100) with a controller (12) for controlling the wind turbine (100) and a power supply unit (30) with an energy storage device (36) and a grid connection (25) for connection to a grid (24), wherein the power supply unit (30) is configured to recognize a normal operating mode of the wind turbine (100), in which the wind turbine (100) is connected to the grid (24), and a disconnect state of the wind turbine (100), in which the wind turbine (100) is disconnected from the grid (24), and wherein the controller (12) is connected to a wind sensor (15) for detecting at least one wind parameter (42) and comprises an azimuth control (14) for setting an azimuth angle (56) of the wind turbine (100) depending on the wind parameter (42).The power supply unit (30) further comprises a monitoring device (38) which, in the disconnected state, is supplied with energy from the energy storage device (36) and is connected to the wind sensor (15) or another wind sensor (40) for detecting wind parameters (42) in the disconnected state. The power supply unit (30) is configured, in the disconnected state, to either switch the control unit (12) off from power or supply it with energy from the energy storage device (36), depending on the wind parameter (42) detected by the monitoring device (38). The invention further relates to a wind turbine (100) with a wind turbine system (10) and a method for operating a wind turbine (100).