Wind Turbine Power Curve Using Rotor Deformation Wind Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining a wind turbine's power curve, such as using a nacelle anemometer or lidar sensors, are imprecise, especially at high wind speeds with gusts and in polluted conditions, and traditional measuring masts require precise alignment, making them time-consuming and limited in directional changes.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a second wind turbine of identical construction to train a measurement correlation between rotor behavior and wind speed, allowing the calculation of wind speed from rotor deformation, eliminating the need for expensive reference wind sensors and enabling accurate power curve determination across different terrains and installation sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a nacelle anemometer is used to measure wind speed, then the measurement can be performed at the wind turbine location, but the measurement precision deteriorates especially at high wind speeds and in gusty conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a second wind turbine of identical construction as a reference unit to train a measurement correlation. The rotor behavior (bending, deformation) of this reference turbine is correlated with wind speed data to create a transferable measurement model that can be applied to the first wind turbine, eliminating the need for direct anemometer measurements at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical wind speed measurement (anemometer) with an indirect method using rotor mechanical behavior (bending, deformation) as a proxy. The rotor's elastic deformation under wind load serves as a natural wind speed indicator, substituting the need for separate measurement devices.
2Measurement precision
If a measuring mast is erected at a predetermined distance from the wind turbine to record the power curve, then the wind speed measurement can be performed at a standardized location, but the measurement time increases significantly due to the requirement for precise wind direction alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a transferable measurement correlation by using a second wind turbine as a reference unit. The correlation between rotor behavior and wind speed is trained on the reference turbine and then transferred to the first wind turbine, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site calibration and directional alignment measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement correlation is trained in advance using the second wind turbine before being applied to the first wind turbine. This preliminary training phase captures the relationship between rotor behavior and wind speed under various conditions, so that when measuring the power curve of the first turbine, the correlation is already established and ready for immediate use.
3Ease of operation
If a lidar sensor is used to measure wind speed, then the measurement can be performed remotely, but the measurement precision deteriorates in polluted air conditions including rain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical measurement methods (lidar) with a mechanical-based indirect measurement approach. Instead of using light scattering in the atmosphere, the system uses the mechanical response of the rotor blades (bending, deformation) to wind loads, which is unaffected by atmospheric pollution, rain, or fog conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for precise and accurate determination of wind speed and power curve measurement, even at varying wind speeds and different terrains, reducing measurement time and costs by using a trained measurement correlation from a second wind turbine.
Implementation Method 1
the rotor blades bend or deform elastically depending on the wind speed
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method of determining a power curve, which specifies a correlation between wind speed and a power output of a first turbine. Wind speed is calculated based on a measurement correlation, specifies a correlation between the rotor behavior and the wind speed, derived from rotor behavior. The measurement correlation is trained using a second turbine of identical construction having a sensor. While the second turbine is operated at varying wind speeds, the sensor repeatedly records and assigns a wind speed to a simultaneously recorded rotor behavior of the second turbine to produce the measurement correlation. The power curve is produced by repeatedly and simultaneously recording a power output of the first turbine and an associated wind speed while operating the first turbine at varying wind speeds. The wind speed is calculated from rotor behavior of the first turbine based on the measurement correlation trained using the second turbine.