Wind Turbine Rotor Speed Control for Resonance Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern wind turbines experience fatigue damage due to undesired vibrations and structural resonance, particularly when operating at specific rotor speeds, and face challenges in efficiently adjusting power generation to meet grid requirements without inducing harmful movements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for operating wind turbines that involve determining individual exclusion ranges and generating dynamic set-points to keep wind turbines outside problematic rotor speed ranges, allowing for gradual power adjustments to meet grid demands while minimizing fatigue and resonance risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wind turbines operate at specific rotor speeds to meet grid power requirements, then power generation efficiency is improved, but structural resonance and fatigue damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic set-point adjustment for rotor speed, transitioning from static operational modes to dynamic control that adapts in real-time. The control system continuously monitors rotor speed and adjusts set-points to avoid critical resonance ranges while maintaining power generation efficiency, enabling the system to dynamically respond to changing grid requirements without inducing structural resonance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of rotor speed set-points to avoid critical ranges that cause resonance. By identifying and excluding specific speed ranges from operational set-points, the system modifies the speed parameter dynamically to prevent resonance-induced fatigue while still meeting grid power requirements through adjusted operational parameters
2Reliability
If centralized wind farm control reduces power generation to compensate grid unbalances, then grid stability is improved, but wind turbines operate in resonance-prone regimes for prolonged periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying and storing critical exclusion ranges for each wind turbine before operational needs arise. The control system maintains a database of resonance-prone speed ranges and uses this pre-analyzed information to make rapid control decisions when grid unbalances occur, avoiding the need to reactively identify safe operating ranges during emergency grid compensation events
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring actual rotor speeds and comparing them against exclusion ranges. The control system receives feedback on turbine operational status and dynamically adjusts set-points to ensure turbines remain outside critical resonance zones while collectively meeting grid power requirements, creating a closed-loop system that prevents fatigue damage through continuous verification
3Reliability
If individual wind turbines are controlled to avoid exclusion ranges, then fatigue damage is reduced, but total power generation may not meet grid requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the wind farm into individually controllable turbines, each with its own exclusion range profile. Instead of treating the wind farm as a monolithic unit, the control system segments power generation control at the turbine level, allowing each turbine to operate independently outside its critical ranges while the aggregate output meets grid requirements through coordinated control of multiple segmented units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality through a centralized control system that performs multiple functions: it monitors individual turbine exclusion ranges, calculates optimal set-points for each turbine, coordinates power distribution across the wind farm, and ensures total output meets grid requirements. This multi-functional control platform simultaneously manages turbine protection and power generation optimization
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods of operating a set of wind turbines for providing a total power demand to a grid according to a grid requirement are provided. A first group of wind turbines is configured to generate an individual active power based on an individual set-point. First individual set-points are generated for the first group such that the set of wind turbines generates the total active power. If a selection of the first group of wind turbines is operating within an individual exclusion range, the operation of the se wind turbines is limited to a maximum period. When the maximum period is reached, second individual set-points are generated to cause these wind turbines to operate outside exclusion range, and third individual set-points are generated for one or more other wind turbines to cause the set of wind turbines to generate the total active power. Systems suitable for such methods are also provided.