Wind Turbine Power Reference Limiting During Grid Frequency Deviation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind turbines in power plants increase power production during over frequency events due to changes in available wind power, contradicting the required reduction in power output, which can exacerbate grid frequency instability.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling power plants with wind turbines involves memorizing a power level during a grid frequency event, setting a power limit based on this level, and gradually adjusting power output to prevent unintended fluctuations, using a central controller to manage power references and limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wind turbines are controlled to produce power according to available wind power, then power production follows wind availability, but power production increases during over frequency events when power reduction is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to wind availabilityVSAvoidgrid frequency stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by memorizing the power level at the time of frequency event detection before the event fully develops. This allows the control system to reference the pre-event power level and prevent unintended increases during the frequency event, ensuring power reduction is maintained even when wind availability changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system implements feedback by continuously monitoring grid frequency, comparing current power production against the memorized power level, and adjusting the power reference accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures that power production responds appropriately to frequency events while accounting for changes in wind availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Power

If power reference is reduced during over frequency events, then power production should decrease, but available wind power changes can cause unintended power increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower reduction capabilityVSAvoidpower production stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by setting a power limit based on the memorized power level before unintended increases can occur. This preemptive constraint prevents the power reference from increasing even when wind availability improves, counteracting the potential harmful effect before it manifests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts the power reference by combining the reduced power reference (in response to frequency events) with the power limit constraint (based on memorized levels). This dynamic adjustment ensures power production remains stable and follows the intended reduction trajectory despite changes in wind conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If power reference changes rapidly in response to frequency events, then grid frequency response is improved, but power production fluctuations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency response speedVSAvoidpower production smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by memorizing the power level at the moment of frequency event detection. This captured reference point enables rapid response to frequency changes while providing a stable baseline that prevents erratic fluctuations, balancing speed and smoothness in the power reference adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4244484B1Controlling a power plant comprising wind turbines during grid frequency deviation
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS
  • EP4244484B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4244484B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4244484B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a power plant during an event which requires a change of the power produced by the power plant, wherein the power plant comprises a plurality of power generating units including at least one wind turbine generator, the method comprises determining the power reference dependent on an available power (Pava), changing the power reference to a modified power reference (Pref_mod) by a power variation (ΔP) in response to detecting a first event, memorizing a power level relating to the actual power production at a time occurrence of the first event, setting a maximum power limit (Pmax) to the memorized power level, limiting the modified power reference (Pref_mod) to the maximum power limit (Pmax), and controlling the power produced by the wind turbines in accordance with the limited modified power reference.