Wind Turbine Rotor Speed Control via Acceleration Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine control methods fail to efficiently manage rotational speed during high wind conditions, leading to rapid power generation fluctuations that destabilize the electricity grid and potentially damage turbine components.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines rotor acceleration to assess mechanical loads and adjusts rotational speed based on internal and external speed limits, using a control system that integrates with existing wind turbine hardware without significant modifications, allowing for flexible operation and reduced mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wind turbine is shut down when wind speed exceeds threshold values, then mechanical loads on structural components are reduced, but power generation drops from full production to zero within a short time, causing grid instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by continuously adjusting the rotor speed based on real-time wind conditions rather than using fixed threshold-based shutdown. The control system dynamically modifies operational parameters (rotor speed, pitch angle) in response to changing wind speeds, allowing the turbine to remain operational during moderate high-wind conditions while preventing structural damage. This dynamic approach avoids the abrupt power generation drop associated with binary shutdown decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (rotor speed, pitch angle) continuously based on wind speed measurements. Instead of maintaining fixed operational modes, the system adjusts these parameters to optimize the balance between power generation and structural protection. By modifying rotor speed as a continuous variable rather than a binary on/off state, the system maintains grid stability while protecting structural components.
2Reliability
If the rotor speed is continuously reduced in dependency of wind velocity to limit mechanical loads, then structural components are protected from overload, but power generation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by reducing rotor speed only to the extent necessary to protect structural components, rather than shutting down completely. The control system calculates the maximum allowable rotor speed based on current wind conditions and structural load limits, maintaining operation at reduced but non-zero power levels. This partial reduction approach preserves some power generation capability while providing structural protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts rotor speed based on real-time wind measurements and structural load assessments. The rotor speed is modified continuously rather than in fixed steps, allowing the turbine to operate at optimal efficiency levels within safe structural limits. This dynamic parameter adjustment enables the system to maximize power generation while maintaining structural integrity.
3Reliability
If rotor acceleration is used to assess mechanical loads and control rotational speed, then mechanical stress on components is reduced, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously measuring rotor acceleration and using this information to adjust rotor speed commands. The control system monitors the rate of change of rotor speed, compares it against predetermined acceleration limits, and modifies control signals to keep acceleration within safe bounds. This feedback mechanism provides straightforward structural protection through a relatively simple control logic that responds to real-time mechanical conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
It is described a method for controlling the rotational speed of a rotor of a wind turbine in particular at high wind speeds. The described method comprises (a) determining a rotor acceleration value, wherein the rotor acceleration value is caused by a temporal change of the rotational speed of the rotor, and (b) controlling the rotational speed of the rotor as a function of the rotor acceleration value. It is further described a control system for controlling the rotational speed of a rotor of a wind turbine, a wind turbine being equipped with such a control system and to a computer program, which is adapted for controlling and/or for carrying out the mentioned rotational speed control method.