Wind Turbine Operating Mode Sequencing for Power-Lifetime Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine operation methods struggle to optimally balance energy production and lifetime consumption under varying environmental conditions, leading to suboptimal performance in certain situations.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines a sequence of operating modes for a future period, considering both long-term and short-term optimization parameters, allowing for dynamic adjustment of the actual operating mode based on current conditions and estimated external parameters, such as wind speed and electricity prices, to maximize energy production or revenue while minimizing lifetime consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the wind turbine operates at high speeds to maximize power production, then power output increases, but the risk of catastrophic failure increases due to blade flapping and structural stress
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors blade flapping motion and rotor speed, adjusting the pitch angle based on real-time feedback to prevent excessive flapping while maintaining optimal power production. The system detects when flapping approaches critical thresholds and automatically reduces rotor speed or adjusts pitch to eliminate the harmful oscillation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters (rotor speed, pitch angle) based on real-time conditions rather than operating at fixed high speeds. The controller modifies blade pitch angles and rotor rotation speeds on-the-fly to maintain optimal performance while preventing blade flapping, transforming the static high-speed operation into a dynamic adaptive process.
2Reliability
If the wind turbine operates at low speeds to prevent blade flapping, then structural damage is avoided, but power production is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely reducing rotor speed to prevent flapping, the system applies partial corrective action by making small, precise adjustments to pitch angle and rotor speed. The controller applies just enough control input to eliminate flapping while maintaining speeds high enough for optimal power production, avoiding excessive reduction of operating parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters (pitch angle, rotor speed) dynamically to maintain optimal performance. By adjusting pitch angles and rotation speeds in real-time, the system can operate at high speeds for maximum power production while using control inputs to prevent blade flapping, rather than being forced to operate at low speeds.
3Strength
If blade flapping is allowed to occur naturally, then structural stress is reduced, but power production is lost due to reduced rotor speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful blade flapping motion into a useful control signal. By monitoring flapping motion and using it as feedback, the system identifies optimal operating conditions and adjusts pitch angles to maintain high rotor speeds and maximum power production while preventing excessive flapping. The flapping detection system transforms what would be a failure mode into a control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces passive mechanical stress relief (allowing flapping to occur naturally) with an active control system that uses sensors and actuators to prevent flapping. Instead of relying on structural flexibility to absorb stress, the system uses electronic control to maintain optimal rotor speeds and pitch angles, substituting mechanical passivity with electronic activity.
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 enhances the efficiency of wind turbine operation by aligning short-term adjustments with long-term optimization goals, improving energy production and revenue generation while extending the turbine's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
A wind turbine is a device which uses the kinetic energy of moving air to drive a rotor and generator to produce electricity
Implementation Method 2
the rotor and generator to produce electricity
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of operating a wind turbine (100) is provided, wherein the wind turbine (100) is operable in plural different operating modes (41-46) that differ by at least one of lifetime consumption of the wind turbine and energy production by the wind turbine. A sequence (305; 741-745) of operating modes is determined for a future period of time (301), wherein an optimization parameter (op) is estimated based on at least one estimated external parameter (ep). The method further includes obtaining an current value for the at least one external parameter (ep) and determining an actual operating mode for the wind turbine for a current point in time, wherein the determining of the actual operating mode comprises estimating an adjusted optimization parameter for plural sequences (305; 741-745) and for the current value of the at least one external parameter (ep), and selecting the actual operating mode based on the estimated adjusted optimization parameters. The wind turbine is operated in the determined actual operating mode.