Wind Turbine Plant Control for High Wind Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind turbine systems are prone to shutdown during high wind events, leading to significant power loss and revenue reduction, as they are designed to cut out or shut down to prevent damage, which is not necessary and results in unacceptably sudden decreases in power availability to the grid.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a centralized plant-level control system that allows wind turbines to operate within a controlled speed and torque range, using derating factors to adjust power production and extend the operational limits during high winds, enabling continued power generation without premature shutdowns and coordinating with other grid management functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wind turbines operate during high wind conditions, then power generation is maintained and revenue is improved, but load stresses on turbine components increase and damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters (torque setpoints, rotor speed limits) based on wind conditions. During high wind events, the plant-level controller adjusts these parameters to allow continued operation at reduced power levels, transforming the operational state from binary (on/off) to continuous (variable power output), thereby maintaining productivity while managing component stresses
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts torque and speed limits in real-time based on current wind conditions and component status. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to changing conditions, maintaining safe operation during high winds while maximizing power generation when conditions permit, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and component protection
2Reliability
If wind turbines shut down during high wind events, then component damage is prevented, but power loss occurs and revenue decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complete shutdown (full protection), the system applies partial action by reducing power output to a controlled level. The plant-level controller maintains operation at derated power levels during high winds, providing sufficient protection while avoiding total power loss. This partial action approach satisfies component protection requirements while maintaining some productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful high wind conditions into a controlled operational state. By using the high wind conditions to generate power at reduced levels rather than shutting down, the system transforms what would be a harmful event (requiring shutdown) into a beneficial situation (continued power generation), thereby converting the harm of high winds into sustained productivity while maintaining component safety
3Adaptability or versatility
If centralized plant-level control is implemented, then operational flexibility and power maintenance during high winds are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual turbine control with plant-level coordination. The centralized controller integrates information from multiple turbines and coordinates their operation collectively, allowing the system to achieve greater operational flexibility through coordination rather than through complex individual turbine modifications. This merging approach manages complexity by creating a higher-level abstraction that simplifies the overall control architecture
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 solution allows wind turbines to operate at higher wind speeds without shutdown, maintaining power generation during high wind conditions and ensuring quick recovery once winds subside, while reducing load stresses on turbine components and optimizing grid stability.
Implementation Method 1
a wind turbine includes a rotor having multiple blades. The rotor is mounted to a housing or nacelle... Blades on these rotors transform wind energy into a rotational torque or force that drives one or more generators.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for operating a wind turbine plant (300) including providing a plurality of wind turbines (100) each having a turbine rotor including at least one blade mounted to a rotatable turbine shaft and an induction generator having a stator and a rotor coupled to the turbine shaft for rotation therewith. The wind turbine is configurable to provide a variable amount of power. A control (301) is provided capable of communicating with the plurality of wind turbines (100). A wind speed is measured and a power derating factor is determined in response to the measured wind speed. The determined derating factor is communicated to the plurality of wind turbines (100). The amount of power generated by each of the plurality of wind turbines (100) is adjusted in response to the power derating factor.