Wind Turbine Grid Response Control via Combined Inertial and Demand Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wind turbines face challenges in recovering from frequency drops in utility grids, leading to degraded conversion efficiency and prolonged recovery times, while also requiring excessive spinning reserve and operational disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A method that combines inertial response with demand response to increase power extraction and decrease power demand from the grid, allowing for enhanced grid stability with minimized production loss and reduced recovery time, by adjusting torque on the rotor and selectively reducing power consumption of wind turbine components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wind turbines perform inertial response function by extracting kinetic energy from the rotor, then grid stability is improved, but conversion efficiency is degraded and recovery time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid stabilityVSAvoidconversion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines inertial response function with demand response function into a single control strategy. During grid frequency drops, the system simultaneously extracts kinetic energy from the rotor (inertial response) and reduces power consumption of auxiliary components (demand response), thereby improving grid stability while minimizing the impact on conversion efficiency and reducing recovery time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on grid conditions. During normal operation, the wind turbine operates at optimal conversion efficiency. When grid frequency drops, the control system changes parameters by extracting kinetic energy (changing rotor speed) and reducing auxiliary power consumption, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing inertial response and maintaining conversion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional wind turbines perform inertial response function, then grid stability is improved, but recovery time to resume normal operations is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid stabilityVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges inertial response with demand response to accelerate recovery. By simultaneously reducing kinetic energy extraction and auxiliary power consumption, the system restores rotor speed and conversion efficiency faster than conventional inertial response alone, thereby reducing recovery time while maintaining grid stability support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed to immediately initiate both inertial response and demand response when grid frequency drops are detected. This preliminary coordinated action prevents excessive rotor speed reduction and minimizes the time required to resume normal operations, thereby reducing recovery time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional wind turbines provide inertial response, then grid stability is improved, but excessive spinning reserve is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid stabilityVSAvoidspinning reserve

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines inertial response with demand response to provide synthetic inertial response. By reducing power consumption of auxiliary components, the system creates additional available power that supplements kinetic energy extraction, thereby providing sufficient grid stability support with reduced spinning reserve requirements compared to conventional inertial response alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 improves grid stability during frequency drops with minimal operational disruption, reduces recovery time, and maintains a reliable synthetic inertial response with reduced spinning reserve requirements, effectively contributing to grid frequency stability across a broader range of wind speeds.

Implementation Method 1

a rotating rotor of the wind turbine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind power extraction: Wind Power

Implementation Method 2

the rotor drives an electric generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8866323B2Method and arrangement for responding to a grid event, such as fast under frequency combining demand response, inertial response and spinning reserve

Publication Date: 2014.10.21 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

AI summary

A method for controlling a wind power plant in case of a frequency drop in a utility grid to which the wind turbines are connected is provided. The method includes combining demand response, inertial response and spinning reserve for given wind speeds in order for wind power plants to deliver fast aggregate under frequency response for a wide wind speed range with minimal recovery time and minimal production loss at each wind speed.