Wind Turbine Phase-Locked Loop Parameter Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind energy installations face challenges in maintaining reliable and dynamic phase angle tracking during transient voltage faults in the electrical supply network, leading to erratic behavior and instability during voltage dips.

Innovation Solution

A method that adjusts the phase-locked loop parameters based on measured voltage amplitude, allowing the phase-locked loop to adapt its dynamics during voltage drops without compromising control dynamics, ensuring the wind energy installation remains connected to the grid even during zero voltage ride-through conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the phase-locked loop uses fixed parameters for synchronization, then the control dynamics are optimized for nominal operation, but the system exhibits erratic behavior during voltage dips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization stabilityVSAvoidvoltage fault tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the phase-locked loop parameters adjustable rather than fixed. The controller adapts the parameters of the phase-locked loop based on detected voltage conditions, switching between different parameter sets for nominal operation and voltage dip conditions. This allows the system to dynamically respond to changing grid conditions while maintaining reliable synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the phase-locked loop parameters are adjusted for high dynamics during nominal operation, then the power feed-in response is fast, but the system becomes unstable during voltage dips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower feed-in response speedVSAvoidphase angle tracking stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the phase-locked loop parameters based on voltage amplitude detection. When a voltage dip is detected, the controller changes the parameters to a second set optimized for stability during faults. When nominal voltage is restored, the parameters are changed back to the first set for high dynamic response. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the wind energy installation disconnects during voltage dips to avoid erratic behavior, then system stability is maintained, but continuous power feed-in is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidpower feed-in continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of voltage dips into a beneficial outcome by using the voltage amplitude information not only for protection but also for adaptive control. By detecting the voltage dip and adjusting the phase-locked loop parameters accordingly, the system maintains stable operation and continuous power feed-in during conditions that would traditionally cause disconnection. The harmful voltage fault becomes an input signal for adaptive parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP3514910A1Method for operating a wind turbine
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 K B ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3514910A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3514910A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3514910A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for operating a wind turbine which feeds electrical power into an electrical supply network via a converter, synchronized to a grid voltage, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - measuring a phase angle and a voltage in the electrical supply network, - determining the value of at least one parameter for a phase-locked loop (PLL) depending on the measured voltage, - setting the at least one parameter on the phase-locked loop, - determining a controlled phase angle using the set phase-locked loop (PLL) depending on the measured phase angle from the electrical supply network, and - controlling the converter with the controlled phase angle.