Wind Turbine Dual Control Loops for High Wind Speed Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine control methods either disconnect from the grid during high wind speeds, leading to energy loss or reduce output power unnecessarily, which is not cost-effective and can cause fatigue loads on components.
Innovation Solution
A method and wind turbine design that uses dual control loops to adjust output power and rotational speed independently, reducing power output when wind speeds exceed a threshold and maintaining connection to the grid, while also controlling rotational speed based on wind turbulence, using a pitch system to optimize energy conversion and reduce loads on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wind turbine disconnects from the grid during high wind speeds, then component safety is improved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the wind turbine by reducing the output power and rotational speed when wind speeds exceed a threshold, rather than disconnecting from the grid. This allows the turbine to remain connected while operating at reduced capacity, thereby avoiding energy loss while still protecting components from excessive loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the wind turbine operation based on real-time wind speed measurements. The control system continuously adjusts the output power and rotational speed according to the prevailing wind conditions, enabling the turbine to adapt dynamically between normal operation and reduced operation modes without disconnecting from the grid.
2Reliability
If the wind turbine continuously reduces output power and rotational speed when wind speed threshold is reached, then component overload is avoided, but potential produced output power is lost unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the output power and rotational speed based on the wind speed threshold. When the threshold is exceeded, the system reduces these parameters to prevent component overload. The reduction is applied selectively and temporarily, allowing the turbine to resume normal operation when wind conditions improve, thus minimizing unnecessary power loss while ensuring component protection.
3Productivity
If the wind turbine operates at high wind speeds without reducing power output, then energy production is maintained, but fatigue loads are imposed on components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters (output power and rotational speed) when wind speeds exceed the threshold to prevent fatigue loads on components. This parameter adjustment reduces the mechanical stresses on the turbine structure while allowing the turbine to remain connected to the grid and continue producing energy at reduced levels, rather than shutting down completely.
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 allows the wind turbine to stay connected to the grid during high-wind situations, minimizing energy loss and maintaining component safety, thereby prolonging usable operation and reducing mechanical loads.
Implementation Method 1
The rotating blades of the rotor are connected with a pitch system. The pitch system is used to adjust the pitch angle of the blades to the direction of the incoming wind. The pitch angle is adjusted in a way that an optimized amount of wind energy is transformed into rotational speed and generated electrical power.
Implementation Method 2
The rotor is coupled with the generator by a rotating shaft for example. Thus the generator is even driven by the wind generating electrical power in dependency of the rotating blades of the rotor.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to control the operation of a wind turbine above a wind speed threshold value and a wind turbine designed to execute the method are provided. Electrical output power of the wind turbine is produced by its rotating blades and fed into a grid, which is connected with the wind turbine. The wind turbine is controlled by a first control loop and a second control loop. The wind speed is determined and compared with a certain predefined wind speed threshold value. Wind turbulences are determined and compared with a predefined wind turbulence threshold value. The first control loop and the second control loop are activated when the wind speed reaches or exceeds the wind speed threshold value. The activated first control loop controls the output power dependent on the wind speed. The activated second control loop controls the rotational speed of the rotating blades dependent on the wind turbulences.