Wind Turbine LIDAR Control for Extreme Event Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face challenges in safely operating at over-rated power levels due to the risk of extreme events, which can cause damage to turbine components, and existing technologies lack effective detection and prevention mechanisms for such events.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine system equipped with a remote sensing apparatus, such as LIDAR, to detect extreme wind parameters from a distance, processing these parameters to generate an override signal that prevents or reduces over-rating when extreme events are anticipated, thereby minimizing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the turbine operates at over-rated power to increase energy extraction, then productivity increases, but the risk of damage from extreme events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LIDAR system performs preliminary detection of extreme wind events before they reach the turbine. By measuring wind parameters at a remote location upstream, the system identifies approaching extreme events and triggers preventive actions (reducing or stopping over-rating) before the turbine is exposed to damaging conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining high productivity and ensuring reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where LIDAR continuously monitors wind parameters, processes the data to detect extreme events, and provides real-time signals to the controller to adjust over-rating operations. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of power extraction based on actual wind conditions, allowing the turbine to operate at high productivity when safe and protect itself when extreme events are detected
2Productivity
If the turbine operates at over-rated power to take advantage of economic conditions, then productivity increases, but the likelihood of extreme event damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote sensing apparatus performs preliminary detection of harmful extreme wind events before they affect the turbine. By detecting these events at a distance and processing the data in advance, the system can prevent over-rating operations during periods when extreme events are likely, thus eliminating the harmful effect while preserving the ability to over-rate during safe economic opportunities
3Reliability
If the turbine uses emergency shutdown or yaw procedures to prevent damage, then reliability improves, but time is lost and severe damage may still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The LIDAR system performs preliminary detection of extreme events at a remote location, providing advance warning before the events reach the turbine. This early detection enables the controller to take preventive actions (reducing power extraction, adjusting pitch) in advance, eliminating the need for emergency shutdown procedures and their associated time losses and potential damage risks
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 solution allows for confident over-rating operations by detecting and mitigating the risk of extreme events, reducing the likelihood of damage to turbine components and enabling safer, more efficient energy extraction from wind.
Implementation Method 1
a remote sensing apparatus, such as LIDAR, to detect extreme wind parameters from a distance
Data Source
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AI summary
A LIDAR or other remote sensing apparatus is mounted on a wind turbine to sense one or more wind parameters. An extreme event detector processing signals from the LIDAR to determine whether a given sensed parameter will, when it arrives at the turbine, exceed a predetermined value and represent an extreme event. On detection of an extreme event, the detector outputs an extreme event signal to a controller. The controller controls overrating of the turbine in response to a variety of sensed parameters and selectively operates the turbine at above rated wind speed. On receipt of the extreme event signal the overrating is overridden to prevent damage to turbine components. The controller may be a power plant controller and the override signal may override only overrating at the turbine which has detected the extreme event, or a plurality of turbines.