Wind Turbine Override Control for Short-Term Power Boosts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face premature aging and fatigue damage due to over-rating, which can lead to early component failure and maintenance shutdowns, while existing control systems struggle to balance short-term power boosts with long-term component longevity.
Innovation Solution
A method and controller system that override conventional over-rating control algorithms to temporarily increase power output based on turbine parameters, allowing for short-term power boosts while limiting fatigue damage by monitoring and managing turbine component usage and adjusting power output accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If over-rating control is applied to increase power output above rated power, then short-term power production is improved, but fatigue damage to turbine components increases causing premature aging and early failure
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the over-rating level based on real-time fatigue damage accumulation. The controller monitors component usage and adaptively modifies the power output above rated power, allowing higher over-rating when fatigue damage is low and reducing or canceling over-rating when fatigue damage thresholds are approached, thus resolving the contradiction between maximizing power output and preserving component lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring turbine operating parameters and fatigue damage indicators, then using this information to adjust the over-rating control algorithm. The controller receives feedback on component usage and power output, and modifies the over-rating level accordingly, enabling the system to balance short-term power production needs with long-term reliability constraints
2Reliability
If over-rating control algorithm restricts additional power based on turbine parameters to protect components, then component fatigue damage is reduced, but short-term power boost capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies partial over-rating action by allowing additional power output above rated power only to the extent necessary to meet target power requirements while staying within fatigue damage constraints. Rather than completely restricting over-rating, the system permits partial excessive power production when conditions allow, thus balancing component protection with short-term power boost capability
3Reliability
If conventional control systems operate at rated power continuously, then component longevity is maintained, but inability to respond to unexpected wind fluctuations or turbine failures occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The control system transitions from static rated power operation to dynamic power adjustment. The controller continuously adapts the power output level based on real-time conditions including wind fluctuations, turbine status, and fatigue damage accumulation, enabling the system to respond flexibly to unexpected variations in power plant output while maintaining component longevity through controlled over-rating
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameter from fixed rated power to variable power levels. By modifying the power output parameter dynamically based on fatigue damage thresholds and plant requirements, the control system enables adaptability to unexpected conditions while managing component stress through controlled parameter adjustments
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided of controlling a wind turbine. The method comprises over-rating the wind turbine above the wind turbine's rated power in response to a control signal and applying an over-rating control algorithm that restricts the amount of additional power produced by over-rating the wind turbine, due to the control signal, based upon one or more turbine parameters. The method further comprises receiving an over-ride signal; and in response to the over-ride signal, over-riding the over-rating control algorithm to temporarily increase the amount of power output by the wind turbine for a period of time.