Wind Turbine Overvoltage Protection via Fast Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbines face issues with overvoltage protection for electrically operated components due to finite response times in self-consumption regulation, leading to potential damage and the need for costly, complex solutions or oversized components.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed switching device with a switching time of less than 10 ms disconnects electrically operated components from the feed line during overvoltage events, using a high-speed switching element and control device with overvoltage detection, and an energy supply unit to provide uninterrupted power without overvoltage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If self-consumption regulation is used to supply electrical auxiliary components, then the components can be supplied with electrical energy, but the finite response time causes voltage increases to not be fully compensated, leading to overvoltage damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capacitor bank as an intermediary energy storage device between the mains voltage and the auxiliary components. This capacitor bank acts as a buffer that can rapidly supply or absorb electrical energy, decoupling the auxiliary components from direct exposure to mains voltage fluctuations. The capacitor bank responds instantaneously to overvoltage conditions, eliminating the response time delay inherent in conventional voltage regulation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor bank is pre-charged to a voltage level that enables it to immediately counteract overvoltage conditions without waiting for detection or control system response. By having the energy storage device ready in advance and directly connected to the auxiliary components, the system performs protective action before the overvoltage can cause damage, rather than reacting after the problem is detected.
2Reliability
If electrically operated components are oversized to withstand short-term voltage increases, then damage can be avoided, but the components become more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor bank serves as a protective intermediary that shields auxiliary components from overvoltage stress. Instead of requiring components to be oversized to handle voltage spikes, the capacitor bank absorbs these spikes and presents a stable voltage to the components. This allows the use of normally sized, cost-effective components while maintaining reliability during transient overvoltage events.
3Reliability
If a dynamic frequency converter with speed-controlled motor and generator is used to generate supply voltage decoupled from mains voltage, then complete protection against overvoltage is achieved, but the solution becomes very complex and maintenance-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential protective function from the complex frequency converter system - specifically, the voltage decoupling capability. By using a capacitor bank instead of a full frequency converter, the solution retains the beneficial effect of electrical decoupling while eliminating the complex motor-generator mechanics, control systems, and maintenance requirements associated with dynamic frequency conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor bank provides a simple, inexpensive alternative to expensive frequency converters. While capacitors have limited lifespan compared to robust mechanical systems, they offer a cost-effective solution that achieves the primary goal of overvoltage protection without the high complexity and maintenance burden of dynamic frequency conversion systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wind turbine (1) with electrically operated components (5). The wind turbine (1) with electrically operated components (5) comprises: - a generator (3) driven by a rotor (2) for generating electrical energy, - a feed-in line (10) for feeding electrical energy generated by the generator (3) into a grid (4), and - a supply line (20) connected to the feed-in line (10) and configured to supply voltage to electrically operated components (5) of the wind turbine (1). The invention further relates to a supply line (20) connected to a grid (4) and configured to supply voltage to electrically operated components (5).In both cases, the supply line (20) includes a fast-switching device (30) for electrically disconnecting the electrically operated components (5) from the feed-in line (10) in the event of an overvoltage in the supply line (20), wherein the switching time of the fast-switching device (30) is less than 10 ms. The invention also relates to a wind farm (50) with at least two wind turbines (1) comprising electrically operated components (5), wherein the electrically operated components (5) of the wind farm are connected to a grid (4) via a supply line (20) according to the invention. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a wind turbine or a wind farm with electrically operated components, as well as a computer program product comprising program parts designed to carry out the method according to the invention.