Wind Turbine Controller Anticipating Grid Events
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power grid management systems face challenges in maintaining balance between power supplied and extracted, leading to frequency fluctuations that can damage electrical devices and disrupt operations, especially during large ramping events like weather changes or consumer behavior shifts.
Innovation Solution
A method and controller for an electric power production unit, such as a wind turbine, that anticipates upcoming events by adjusting power transfer before they occur, using fast response modes and converter technology to rapidly adapt power output based on predicted changes in energy demand or supply, thereby stabilizing the grid frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If power production is increased to meet future demand, then productivity is improved, but grid frequency stability deteriorates when demand suddenly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller reduces power transfer to the utility grid in advance of predicted demand increases, maintaining a reserve capacity that can be rapidly deployed when demand suddenly increases, thus preventing frequency drops while maintaining high overall productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts power transfer based on predicted events, switching between different operational states (normal operation, event anticipation, fast response mode) to optimize both productivity and frequency stability in real-time
2Stability of the object's composition
If power transfer is reduced before predicted events, then grid frequency stability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to reduced power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The controller temporarily reduces power transfer only during the period before predicted events, while maintaining normal or elevated power production capacity that can be immediately utilized when the event occurs, thus stabilizing frequency without permanent productivity loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (power transfer level, response mode) based on the timing and nature of predicted events, optimizing the balance between frequency stability and productivity for each specific scenario
3Speed
If fast response mode is activated, then response speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller activates fast response mode only during specific periods when grid frequency disturbances are detected or predicted, rather than continuously, thus achieving fast response capability while minimizing energy consumption during normal operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
It is described a method for controlling an electric power production unit (101), in particular a wind turbine, connected to a utility grid (107), the method comprising: obtaining information (118) regarding an event at a point in time (t0), wherein the event relates to at least one of electric power delivered to the utility grid and electric power extracted from the utility grid at the point in time; and automatically adapting, before the point in time, a power transfer (P) between the power production unit (101) and the utility grid (107) based on the prediction. Further a corresponding controller and a wind park is described.