Wind Turbine Droop Response Control via Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines are not fully utilized in providing flexible droop response for grid frequency stabilization due to a one-size-fits-all droop setting approach, which does not account for individual capabilities and varying demand requirements.
Innovation Solution
A power generation system with a Power Plant Controller that allows utility operators to dynamically select the droop response, including magnitude and time scale, by integrating energy storage to supplement wind turbine output and store excess energy, enabling precise configuration of wind turbine operation to meet grid demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a one-size-fits-all droop setting is applied to all wind turbines, then the control system is simple to operate, but the wind turbines cannot provide optimized droop response tailored to individual capabilities and grid demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic droop configuration where the droop setting is no longer fixed but can be adjusted in real-time based on grid frequency conditions, wind availability, and energy storage state. The control system dynamically selects between different droop modes (primary frequency response, secondary frequency response, or normal operation) to optimize performance while managing complexity through automated mode selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the droop parameter dynamically based on operating conditions. Instead of a single fixed droop value, the control system adjusts the droop setting according to grid frequency deviations, wind resource availability, and energy storage charge state, allowing each wind turbine to provide optimized droop response tailored to current system needs.
2Reliability
If wind turbines operate without energy storage integration, then the system structure is simpler, but the ability to provide reliable droop response and store excess energy is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wind turbine generation system with energy storage systems to create an integrated hybrid system. This combination allows the wind farm to provide reliable droop response by using the energy storage to compensate for wind variability, while also enabling excess wind energy to be stored for later use, thereby improving reliability without requiring each individual turbine to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage system serves multiple functions: it provides primary frequency response, secondary frequency response, stores excess wind energy, and compensates for wind variability. This multi-functionality improves droop response reliability while the shared infrastructure reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.
3Productivity
If traditional generation capacity is used for frequency stabilization, then the grid frequency control is reliable, but the need for traditional generation during maintenance or peak demand is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical generation systems with a combination of wind turbine inertia and energy storage systems for frequency stabilization. The wind turbines' rotational inertia provides natural frequency support, while the energy storage systems provide rapid electrical response, together replacing or reducing the need for traditional synchronous generators dedicated to frequency control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of wind turbines to provide frequency regulation services that traditionally required dedicated generation capacity. By adjusting droop settings and utilizing energy storage, the wind farm can provide primary and secondary frequency response, thereby improving overall grid frequency regulation efficiency while reducing reliance on traditional generation during peak demand or maintenance periods.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power plant controller (36) is described. The power plant controller (36) controls a power generation system (10) having one or more power generators (12) and an energy storage system (22), and provides a utility grid or transmission system operator with the capability to select the droop response provided by the power generation system. Accordingly, an operator can request a specific generator droop response in order to provide appropriate frequency and grid control services. The power plant controller (36) operates in real time determining one or more power characteristics of the power generation system (10). Based on these characteristics and an indication of a future predicted power output for the power generation system, the power plant controller can take the necessary steps to ensure that the power generation system is capable of responding with the selected droop response, or can advise the operator that a different droop is preferred.