Wind Turbine Operating Space Control for Coordinated Curtailment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbine control systems struggle to handle multi-dimensional adjustments to the operating space effectively, often treating changes as independent ramps rather than coordinated transitions, leading to inefficient energy capture and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A central multi-dimensional operating space controller receives signals from various requestors, prioritizes them based on active and reactive power effects, and determines coordinated output signals to manage tip speed ratio, rotor speed, active power, and pitch angle, ensuring optimized energy capture and reduced energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional wind turbine control systems treat changes as independent ramps, then each dimension can be adjusted independently, but coordinated transitions are lost leading to inefficient energy capture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent single-dimension curtailment handlers into a single multi-dimensional curtailment handler that processes all operating space dimensions (rotor speed, generator speed, active power, reactive power, blade pitch angles, rotor thrust) simultaneously. This unified handler coordinates transitions across all dimensions to ensure efficient energy capture while avoiding the inefficiencies of independent ramp adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-dimensional curtailment handler is designed as a universal controller that can handle any combination of operating space dimension adjustments. It receives curtailment requests and coordinates transitions across multiple dimensions (speed, power, pitch, thrust) within a single control architecture, making the system adaptable to various operational requirements without needing separate handlers for each dimension.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple single-dimension curtailment handlers are used, then specific dimensions can be controlled independently, but the system cannot manage coordinated multi-dimensional transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple single-dimension curtailment handlers into one multi-dimensional handler that processes all operating space dimensions simultaneously. This reduces the number of separate control components while maintaining the ability to adjust any combination of dimensions (rotor speed, generator speed, active power, reactive power, blade pitch angles, rotor thrust) in a coordinated manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-dimensional curtailment handler serves as a universal control mechanism that can manage any subset or combination of operating space dimensions. It provides flexible adaptation to different curtailment scenarios (noise reduction, heat management, sensor failures, grid requirements) while maintaining a single unified control architecture rather than requiring separate handlers for each dimension.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables coordinated, multi-dimensional adjustments that maximize energy capture while minimizing energy loss, improving the operational efficiency and adaptability of wind turbines by managing transitions as a single, coordinated path through the operating space.
Implementation Method 1
The blades typically have the cross-sectional profile of an airfoil such that, during operation, air flows over the blade producing a pressure difference between its sides. Consequently, a lift force, which is directed from the pressure side towards the suction side, acts on the blade.
Implementation Method 2
The lift force generates torque on the main rotor shaft, which is connected to a generator for producing electricity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A method for adjusting a multi-dimensional operating space of a wind turbine includes receiving, via a central multi-dimensional operating space controller, a plurality of signals from a plurality of requestors of modified operating space. Each of the plurality of signals includes a data structure having requested set points for a plurality of dimensions in the operating space. The method also includes tracking, via the central multi-dimensional operating space controller, current set points for the plurality of dimensions in the operating space. Further, the method includes dynamically determining, via the central multi-dimensional operating space controller, an output signal based on the requested set points, the output signal comprising one or more changes for the current set points for the plurality of dimensions in the operating space. Moreover, the method includes controlling the wind turbine based on the output signal so as to provide a modified multi-dimensional operating space.