Wind Turbine Electronic Key Access Control System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing access control systems for wind energy installations and wind farms face challenges in ensuring secure control access while preventing network failures due to human error or sabotage, and in allowing unhindered service access without impairing security measures.

Innovation Solution

A method using an electronic key system that authenticates users and generates tokens with a validity period, allowing control access only when specific criteria related to the operating status and power values of wind turbines and wind farms are met, ensuring that network-critical states are avoided.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control access is restricted to a limited number of certificates or electronic keys, then security against power grid failure is improved, but service access may be impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against power grid failureVSAvoidservice access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically evaluates current operating conditions (power output, grid status) before granting control access. Electronic keys are not statically limited in number, but their validity is dynamically controlled based on real-time criteria assessment, allowing flexible adaptation between security and service needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of key validity by introducing time-limited electronic keys with expiry dates and validity periods. Access rights are modified based on dynamic criteria evaluation, transforming static access control into a parameter-driven system that adapts to current operational conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If electronic keys with validity periods are issued dynamically, then control access security is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol access securityVSAvoidaccess control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access control system automatically evaluates criteria and makes access decisions without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the complexity by autonomously assessing operating conditions and determining key issuance, reducing the burden on operators while maintaining high security standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If access criteria are based on real-time power values and operating status, then prevention of network failures is improved, but access speed may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of network failuresVSAvoidaccess grant speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of access criteria before granting control access. By assessing power values and operating status in advance of the actual access request, the system prepares decision-making data beforehand, reducing the time required at the moment of access while maintaining comprehensive security checks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3910899A1Method for providing an electronic key for accessing a wind turbine and access control system for carrying out the method
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
  • EP3910899A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3910899A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3910899A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for providing an electronic key (30) for access, in particular control access, to at least one wind turbine (100) or at least one wind farm controller (16) with an access control system (20), which receives (44) a request (48) for access to one or more wind turbines (100) and/or one or more wind farm controllers (16) selected by the request (48) from an input means or a data interface (22) of the access control system (20).The access control system (20) includes retrieving (46) data (32) from one or each of the selected wind turbines (100) and/or one or each of the selected wind farm controllers (16) and generating (58) and issuing (60) at least one electronic key (30) for one or each of the selected wind turbines (100) and/or one or each of the selected wind farm controllers (16) when a criterion (56) is met, wherein a decision (52) as to whether the criterion (56) is met is made by the access control system (20) depending on the retrieved data (32).