Wind Turbine Grid Emulation for Power Plant Device Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind power plant testing methods are inefficient due to reliance on dedicated equipment, time-consuming setup processes, and inability to easily retest over the lifetime of the plant, as well as insufficient testing for harmonic emissions and fault diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A method involving wind turbines generating voltage to emulate grid conditions, allowing for performance measurement of power plant devices without being connected to the electrical grid, reducing reliance on grid properties and enabling more frequent testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated testing equipment is installed and manually connected to wind turbines, then verification tests can be performed, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine's own power converter is utilized to generate test signals and emulate grid conditions, eliminating the need for external dedicated testing equipment. The system performs self-testing by using its existing components (power converter, controller) to create artificial grid scenarios such as voltage sags, frequency variations, and harmonic conditions, thereby removing the time-consuming installation and removal of external test equipment while maintaining comprehensive verification capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The power converter is designed to serve dual functions: normal power conversion during operation and test signal generation during verification. By programming the controller to operate the power converter in test mode, the same hardware performs both utility functions and testing functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated testing equipment and reducing installation time to zero
2Reliability
If dedicated testing equipment is installed manually, then grid compliance tests can be performed, but the equipment must be re-installed for each test over the power plant lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine performs its own grid compliance testing using its integrated power converter and controller, eliminating the need for external equipment installation and removal. The controller can be programmed to execute different test sequences at different times in the power plant's lifetime, enabling rapid retesting without physical equipment changes
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system is dynamically reconfigurable through software programming of the controller, allowing different test scenarios to be implemented by changing control parameters rather than physical equipment. This enables the system to adapt to evolving grid standards and perform repeated compliance verification throughout the power plant's operational life without reinstallation
3Ease of operation
If verification tests rely on inherent properties of the electrical grid, then tests can be performed using grid power, but the tests become overly reliant on complex grid properties and cannot test all scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The power converter acts as an intermediary between the wind turbine and the grid, generating artificial test signals that simulate various grid conditions. Instead of relying on the natural complexity of the electrical grid to provide test scenarios, the system actively creates controlled test conditions (voltage sags, frequency variations, harmonics) through the power converter, simplifying the testing process while expanding scenario coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies electrical parameters (voltage magnitude, frequency, phase angle, harmonic content) through the power converter to create different test scenarios. By programmatically changing these parameters, the system can simulate a wide range of grid conditions including abnormal voltages, frequency deviations, and harmonic emissions, achieving comprehensive test coverage without relying on inherent grid properties
4Reliability
If harmonic compatibility is tested only to the extent of harmonics already present in the grid, then testing can be performed with existing grid conditions, but other harmonic emissions that may appear as the grid evolves are not sufficiently tested
Solution Approach 1:
The power converter is programmed to generate specific harmonic frequencies and amplitudes that may not be present in the current grid but could appear in the future. By actively injecting controlled harmonic content into the system during testing, the evaluation covers a broader spectrum of harmonic scenarios, ensuring compatibility with evolving grid conditions and future harmonic emissions
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 reduces the need for dedicated equipment, simplifies the testing process, and enhances the ability to diagnose faults and test harmonic compatibility efficiently over the lifetime of the wind power plant.
Implementation Method 1
generating a voltage by the one or more wind turbines
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4
AI summary
A method of testing a power plant device (2) in a power plant (1), the power plant (1) comprising the power plant device (2) and one or more wind turbines (3) configured to electrically connect to the power plant device (2), the power plant (1) suitable for connecting to an electrical grid (G) external to the power plant (1), the method comprising: a) generating a voltage by the one or more wind turbines (3) in a condition where the power plant (1) is disconnected from the electrical grid (G); b) controlling the generated voltage by the one or more wind turbines (3) to emulate one or more grid conditions at the power plant device (2); and c) measuring the performance of the power plant device (2) under the one or more emulated grid conditions in a condition where the one or more wind turbines (3) are electrically connected to the power plant device (2) and the power plant (1) is disconnected from the electrical grid (G).