Wind Turbine Load Dynamics Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind energy installations face imprecise determination of dynamic load due to inaccurate wind speed measurements, leading to unnecessary reductions in speed or power, and rely on costly and prone-to-failure LIDAR systems for turbulence assessment.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine load dynamics using measurable operating parameters of the wind turbine, such as rotational speed and torque setpoints, to calculate instantaneous acceleration and transmitted power, eliminating the need for additional sensors and providing a more accurate assessment of dynamic load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If LIDAR systems are used to determine turbulence and dynamic load, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses existing operating parameters (rotational speed, torque setpoints) as proxies or copies to infer dynamic load information, rather than directly measuring turbulence with complex LIDAR systems. This copying approach allows the system to obtain sufficient load information from readily available sensor data, avoiding the need for expensive additional measurement equipment while maintaining adequate measurement precision for control purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The wind turbine uses its own existing sensors and operating parameters to determine dynamic load, rather than relying on external LIDAR systems. The control system processes internally available data (rotational speed, torque setpoints, drivetrain acceleration) to self-determine the dynamic load state, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional complex equipment
2Reliability
If safety factors are incorporated into dynamic load determination, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to unnecessary speed or power reductions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control system continuously monitors actual dynamic load conditions and adjusts operational limits accordingly. By using real-time determination of dynamic load from operating parameters, the system provides accurate feedback on actual turbine stress levels, allowing it to maintain or increase power output when conditions permit while still providing protection when limits are truly exceeded, eliminating the need for conservative static safety factors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static safety factors to dynamic load-based operational limits. The permissible operating limits are no longer fixed conservative values but dynamically adjusted based on real-time determination of actual dynamic load conditions. This dynamic approach allows the turbine to operate closer to true capacity when conditions are favorable while maintaining protection when actual limits are approached, optimizing both reliability and productivity
3Ease of operation
If wind speed is derived from operating parameters, then measurement is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates due to model uncertainties
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deriving wind speed from operating parameters through uncertain models, the patent inverts the approach by directly determining dynamic load from operating parameters without needing accurate wind speed measurements. The method calculates drivetrain acceleration from rotational speed changes and combines it with torque setpoints to determine dynamic load directly, bypassing the need for wind speed derivation entirely and eliminating the associated model uncertainties
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the load dynamics of a wind turbine (1) and a method based thereon for operating a wind turbine (1), a wind turbine (1) designed for carrying out this method and a corresponding computer program product.The method for determining the load dynamics of a wind turbine (1) in response to the wind, wherein the wind turbine (1) has a drive train (10) comprising the power-transmitting rotating components from the rotor (3) to the generator (9), comprises the steps: a) determining the instantaneous acceleration power (Pacceleration) leading to the acceleration of the drive train (10) from the measured rotational speed (ω) of the drive train (10); b) determining the instantaneous power transmitted by the drive train (10) (Ptransmit); and c) determining the load dynamics as the gradient ddt of the sum of instantaneous acceleration power (Pacceleration) and instantaneous transmitted power (Ptransmit).