Wind Turbine Power Redistribution for Blade Deicing Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines operating in cold climates face reduced energy production and potential damage from ice accumulation on rotor blades, which also increases power demands for deicing systems, straining the internal power supply.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating wind turbines that involves detecting increased power demands in the deicing system and redistributing power from other subsystems, such as the pitch system, to prioritize deicing by increasing the electric power flowing through the internal electric power distribution system to the deicing subsystem when the pitch system's power demand is reduced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blade heating system power is increased to prevent ice accumulation, then deicing effectiveness is improved, but internal power supply capacity is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power distribution by continuously monitoring power demands of different subsystems and adjusting power allocation in real-time. The control system detects when the pitch system power demand is reduced and dynamically redirects that power to the deicing system, allowing the deicing system to receive increased power only when available capacity exists without requiring infrastructure upgrades
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power allocation parameters dynamically based on operational conditions. When the pitch system requires less power (e.g., during idle periods or standby mode), the power distribution parameters are adjusted to increase deicing system power consumption, thereby resolving the contradiction between deicing effectiveness and power supply capacity limits
2Reliability
If power is allocated to deicing system during high power demand periods, then deicing performance is improved, but other subsystems may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors power demands of all subsystems including the deicing system and pitch system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect when pitch system power demand decreases and automatically reallocate that power to the deicing system, ensuring deicing performance is maintained without negatively impacting other subsystems' operational requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A method (1000, 1001) for operating a wind turbine (100-100d) is disclosed. The wind turbine includes a rotor (106) with rotor blades (108), a power conversion system (118, 210, 234) mechanically connected with the rotor (106), a first subsystem (310), a second subsystem (320), and an internal electric power distribution system (300-301b, 321, 322) connectable with the first subsystem (310) and the second subsystem (320). During operating (1100) the wind turbine (100-100d) in a normal operating mode in which the power conversion system (118, 210, 234) converts input motive power into electrical output power (P), the method (1000) includes detecting (1200) an increased power demand of the first subsystem (310), and actively increasing (1300) an amount (P1) of electric power (Pint) flowing through the internal electric power distribution system (300-301b, 321, 322) to the first subsystem (310) if a power demand of the second subsystem (320) is at least reduced.