Wind Turbine Primary Frequency Modulation via Active Power Headroom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind turbines operating in power-limited states face challenges in maintaining frequency stability of the power grid, as existing control technologies are inadequate for primary frequency modulation, leading to slow frequency modulation speed and potential power generation sacrifices.

Innovation Solution

A primary frequency modulation method and device for wind turbines that detect grid frequency deviations, determine power change amounts based on active power headroom and reference values, and perform torque and pitch control to balance frequency, enhancing modulation speed and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wind turbine operates in power-limited state to maintain optimal power generation, then power generation efficiency is improved, but primary frequency modulation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidprimary frequency modulation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control method performs preliminary assessment of active power headroom before frequency modulation. By calculating the difference between current active power output and maximum available power in advance, the system determines whether the wind turbine can participate in primary frequency modulation without compromising optimal power generation. This preliminary evaluation enables the wind turbine to maintain frequency modulation capability while operating in power-limited state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If existing control technology is used for primary frequency modulation, then grid frequency stability is improved, but modulation speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrid frequency stabilityVSAvoidmodulation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control method dynamically adjusts the power change amount instruction based on real-time grid frequency deviation and active power headroom. Instead of using fixed modulation characteristics, the system continuously adapts the modulation response by calculating the reference value from frequency deviation and adjusting the actual power output according to available headroom. This dynamic control enables both rapid response to frequency changes and stable grid frequency maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If wind turbine performs primary frequency modulation aggressively, then grid frequency stability is improved, but fatigue damage to wind turbine deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrid frequency stabilityVSAvoidfatigue damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control method changes the modulation parameter from fixed to variable based on active power headroom. By calculating the available headroom as the difference between maximum available power and current power output, the system adjusts the power change amount instruction proportionally. This parameter adaptation ensures that frequency modulation actions are within safe operational limits, reducing mechanical stress and fatigue damage while maintaining effective grid frequency support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3540896B1Method and apparatus for primary frequency control of wind power generator
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 BEIJING GOLDWIND SCI & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3540896B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3540896B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3540896B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a primary frequency modulation method for a wind turbine, which may include: detecting a current frequency of a power grid; determining an instruction value of a power change amount for a primary frequency modulation by a first determining process when the current frequency of the power grid is less than a standard frequency of the power grid, wherein the first determining process may include: determining a reference value of the power change amount for the primary frequency modulation based on the current frequency; and when it is determined that currently there is an active power headroom for the wind turbine, comparing the reference value with a current active power headroom value of the wind turbine and determining the instruction value of the power change amount for the primary frequency modulation; and performing the primary frequency modulation based on the instruction value of the power change amount.