Wind Turbine Lidar Control for Extreme Gust Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Wind turbines face damage from extreme wind conditions such as extreme gusts, changes in wind direction, turbulence, and shear, leading to over-engineering for normal conditions and increased material usage, which can be mitigated by advanced detection and control systems.

Innovation Solution

A control system for wind turbines that uses sensors like Lidar to detect extreme wind conditions upwind, correct for axial induction and wind coherence, and generate control signals to adjust operating setpoints, enabling evasive actions like yaw and power changes before extreme conditions reach the turbine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wind turbines are designed to withstand extreme wind conditions, then reliability is improved, but weight and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturbine integrity under extreme conditionsVSAvoidblade weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of extreme wind conditions using upstream anemometers and Lidar before the turbine's own anemometers detect them. This early warning allows the control system to prepare and execute protective actions (yawing out, pitch adjustment, power reduction) before the extreme conditions reach the turbine, preventing damage without requiring over-engineered components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces upstream anemometers and Lidar as intermediary detection devices positioned upstream of the turbine to detect extreme wind conditions before they reach the turbine. These intermediaries provide advance notice, allowing the control system to take protective actions without requiring the turbine components to be designed for maximum extreme condition loads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wind turbines are designed to withstand extreme wind conditions, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturbine integrity under extreme conditionsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of extreme wind conditions using upstream anemometers and Lidar before the turbine's own anemometers detect them. This early warning allows the control system to prepare and execute protective actions (yawing out, pitch adjustment, power reduction) before the extreme conditions reach the turbine, preventing damage without requiring over-engineered components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces upstream anemometers and Lidar as intermediary detection devices positioned upstream of the turbine to detect extreme wind conditions before they reach the turbine. These intermediaries provide advance notice, allowing the control system to take protective actions without requiring the turbine components to be designed for maximum extreme condition loads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If emergency shutdown or yaw procedure is implemented, then damage prevention is improved, but response time is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of extreme wind conditions using upstream anemometers and Lidar before the turbine's own anemometers detect them. This early warning allows the control system to prepare and execute protective actions (yawing out, pitch adjustment, power reduction) before the extreme conditions reach the turbine, preventing damage without requiring over-engineered components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system applies preliminary anti-action by executing protective maneuvers (yawing out of wind, blade pitch adjustment, power reduction) in advance of the extreme conditions arriving at the turbine. This preemptive response counteracts the harmful effects before they can cause damage, eliminating the need for reactive emergency shutdown procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 system allows wind turbines to mitigate the effects of extreme conditions, reducing the need for heavy materials in blades and enabling larger blades for increased energy capture, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and potential damage.

Implementation Method 1

a device mounted on the wind turbine to sense a property of wind conditions at a position upwind of the wind turbine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2516852B1Method and apparatus for protecting wind turbines from damage

Publication Date: 2017.01.25 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS

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AI summary

A wind turbine has a Lidar device to sense wind conditions upstream of the wind turbine. Signals from the wind turbine are processed to detect an extreme event. On detection the system controller takes the necessary evasive action depending on the nature and severity of the extreme condition detected. This may include a significant reduction in power generated, complete shutdown of the generator and yawing of the nacelie and rotor to reduce loading on the rotor blades.