Wind Turbine Monitoring for Override Shutdown Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current monitoring systems for wind turbines do not accurately log and report reasons for shutdowns or reduced power operations, especially when master controllers override individual turbine control systems, leading to incomplete operational histories and difficulties in allocating power production profits.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system that receives and logs timestamped information from both control systems and master controllers regarding shutdowns and reduced power operations, generating comprehensive operational reports that include reasons and durations for such actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a master controller is used to override individual turbine control systems for shutdown or reduced power operations, then operational control flexibility is improved, but monitoring accuracy deteriorates because the monitoring system cannot distinguish between control system instructions and master controller overrides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that receives instructions from both the control system and master controller, adds identification information to distinguish the source, and forwards it to the monitoring system. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by enabling the monitoring system to accurately track both types of operations without requiring modification to the existing control architecture.
2Loss of information
If the monitoring system logs all shutdown and reduced power operations with detailed information, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional logging requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the intermediary component tag instructions with identification information before they reach the monitoring system. This preprocessing step ensures that complete information is captured without requiring the monitoring system to perform complex analysis or additional processing, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving information completeness.
3Measurement precision
If the monitoring system distinguishes between control system instructions and master controller overrides, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional differentiation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary component serves as a mediator that handles the differentiation task, keeping the monitoring system simple while achieving precise monitoring. The intermediary adds identification tags to instructions from different sources, allowing the monitoring system to accurately distinguish between control system operations and master controller overrides without becoming complex itself.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a monitoring system for monitoring the operation of a number N of wind turbines WT1, WT2, . . . WTN; wherein N being an integer, wherein each wind turbine WTX is being controlled by an associated control system CSX in accordance with an array of predetermined control criteria by transmitting control instructions CIX from said control system CSX to said wind turbine WTX, including control instructions CIX instructing said wind turbine WTX to shut down or to operate under reduced power production.Each wind turbine is being coupled to a master controller MC, wherein said master controller MC is being configured to be able to transmit to the control system CSX associated with one or more of said wind turbines WTX, a master instruction MIX, overruling control instructions being transmitted from said control system CSX to said wind turbine WTX with the view to shut down said wind turbine WTX or with the view to force said wind turbine WTX to operate under reduced power production. The monitoring system MS, in respect of each wind turbine WTX, is being configured to receive and log from the corresponding control system CSX information relating to timestamp and information associated with the specific condition or reason for making said wind turbine WTX shut down or operate under reduced power production; as well as duration of such forced power reduced operation wherein said monitoring system MS is being configured to generate an operational report OR, wherein said operational report OR sets out details as to time stamps, duration and reason or condition causing such shut downs or operation under reduced power production.