Wind Turbine Restart Control Using Selective Auxiliary Power

Solution Overview

Problem

Wind turbines face challenges in maintaining energy storage systems during start-up, leading to depletion and preventing repeated restart attempts due to high energy consumption, especially in grid-disconnected scenarios.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an energy storage system to supply power to a first group of auxiliary consumers while ceasing power to a second group, transitioning into an energy harvesting mode based on predefined environmental conditions, ensuring sufficient energy generation and avoiding depletion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the wind turbine operates in a first operating mode with high power output, then the power production is maximized, but the structural loads on the turbine increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower outputVSAvoidstructural loads

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The wind turbine system dynamically transitions between different operating modes based on real-time conditions. The control system adjusts operational parameters to optimize power output while managing structural loads, allowing the turbine to adapt its characteristics rather than maintaining a fixed operating state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by transitioning between at least two distinct operating modes. These parameter changes include adjustments to pitch angles, rotor speed, and power output levels, enabling the turbine to operate optimally across varying wind conditions while preventing excessive structural loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the wind turbine operates in a second operating mode with reduced power output, then the structural loads are reduced, but the power production decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural loadsVSAvoidpower output

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The wind turbine system dynamically transitions between different operating modes based on real-time conditions. The control system adjusts operational parameters to optimize power output while managing structural loads, allowing the turbine to adapt its characteristics rather than maintaining a fixed operating state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by transitioning between at least two distinct operating modes. These parameter changes include adjustments to pitch angles, rotor speed, and power output levels, enabling the turbine to operate optimally across varying wind conditions while preventing excessive structural loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If conventional control systems are used to manage operating modes, then the control logic is simple, but the structural loads during transitions cannot be adequately limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidstructural loads during transitions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor operational parameters and structural load conditions. Based on this feedback, the system intelligently determines when and how to transition between operating modes, ensuring that structural loads remain within acceptable limits throughout the transition process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessments before initiating mode transitions by evaluating current operational conditions and predicting the impact on structural loads. This preliminary action allows the control system to plan transitions that minimize structural stress while achieving the desired operational state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4392667B1Transitioning of wind turbine operation

Publication Date: 2026.04.15 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

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AI summary

A method for transitioning the operation of a wind turbine into an energy harvesting mode in which the wind turbine (100) operates to generate electrical power from wind energy is provided. An energy storage system (50) associated with the wind turbine (100) is configured to supply electrical power to an auxiliary system (10) of the wind turbine when the wind turbine is not generating or receiving electrical power sufficient for supplying the auxiliary system (10). The method comprises operating the wind turbine (100) in a first operating mode (72) in which an electrical power supply to a first group (11) of one or more auxiliary power consumers (12, 13, 14) of the auxiliary system (10) is ceased; obtaining environmental data including at least one of wind data and meteorological data; and determining if the obtained environmental data meets a predefined condition. If the predefined condition is met, a transition of the operation of the wind turbine (100) into the energy harvesting mode (74) is caused, wherein transitioning the operation into the energy harvesting mode (74) comprises supplying electrical power from the energy storage system (50) to the one or more auxiliary power consumers (12, 13, 14) of the first group (11).