Wind Turbine Control Interface for Critical Grid Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines operated in noise reduction mode are limited in their ability to contribute to stabilizing the electrical supply network during critical situations, restricting the network operator's control and response to potential destabilization.
Innovation Solution
A control system for wind turbines and wind farms that includes multiple operating modes and an interface allowing network operators to access and select these modes, particularly in critical situations, ensuring maximum controllability and prioritizing network stability over other operational constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If wind turbines operate in noise reduction mode, then noise emissions are reduced, but the ability to stabilize the electrical supply network is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between different operating modes (noise reduction mode, active power mode, night mode) based on grid conditions. When critical grid situations are detected, the system transitions from noise-optimized operation to grid-supportive operation, allowing wind turbines to actively stabilize network frequency and voltage while maintaining acceptable noise levels through adaptive control strategies
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as rotor speed, pitch angle, and power output based on grid requirements. In critical grid situations, parameters are adjusted to prioritize network stabilization (e.g., increasing active power output, modifying reactive power injection) while in normal conditions, parameters are optimized for noise reduction, creating a flexible response to varying operational demands
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wind turbines are limited to certain speed ranges for noise reduction, then noise level is kept low, but control capability in critical grid situations is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements dynamic speed range adjustment based on operational context. During normal operation, rotor speed is constrained to noise-reduction optimal ranges. However, when critical grid situations are detected through the control interface, the system dynamically expands the allowable speed range to enable maximum power extraction and grid stabilization, allowing wind turbines to adapt their operational envelope to meet varying demands
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions: noise reduction, night mode operation, active power optimization, and critical grid support. By integrating a unified control architecture that can switch between these modes, the system achieves versatility in controlling wind turbines across different operational scenarios, allowing a single platform to serve both environmental and grid stability requirements
3Ease of operation
If the control system restricts access to operating modes, then operational constraints are maintained, but maximum controllability for grid operators is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface acts as an intermediary between grid operators and wind turbine control systems. It provides a standardized communication protocol that allows grid operators to issue commands (such as switching to active power mode or requesting maximum power output) while maintaining appropriate access levels and authentication. This intermediary layer enables full controllability when needed while preserving normal operational autonomy during standard conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
Control of a wind turbine and/or a wind farm, wherein the control includes a multitude of operating modes and has an interface, in particular for providing maximum control capability of the wind turbine and/or the wind farm in critical grid situations, wherein the interface is set up to receive a signal from a grid operator, thereby making all of the multitude of operating modes available to the grid operator.