Selective Wind Turbine Curtailment for Maintenance Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for curtailment in wind parks require all turbines to reduce power output, leading to increased maintenance costs and inefficiencies, as all turbines must continuously adjust their pitch systems, without considering individual turbine capabilities or priorities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for selectively curtailing the output of n-1 or fewer wind turbines in a wind park based on assigned priorities, using a controller to dynamically or statically select turbines for power output reduction, allowing for a non-spatial selection process that considers factors like cumulative curtailment time, environmental conditions, and noise levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If all wind turbines are curtailed to maintain wind park power setpoint, then the overall power output is controlled, but maintenance costs increase and operational efficiency decreases due to continuous pitch system adjustments across all turbines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wind park into individual turbine units and applies selective curtailment to specific turbines rather than uniformly curtailling all turbines. The controller identifies and curtails only the necessary number of turbines (n-1 or fewer) to maintain the power setpoint, allowing other turbines to operate at full capacity without continuous pitch adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different operational characteristics to different turbines based on their individual conditions and priorities. Each turbine can have a different curtailment status (curtailed or non-curtailed) depending on factors such as cumulative curtailment time, environmental conditions, and noise sensitivity, rather than applying the same curtailment strategy to all turbines.
2Power
If all wind turbines are curtailed to maintain wind park power setpoint, then the overall power output is controlled, but maintenance costs increase due to continuous pitch system adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wind park into individual turbine units and applies selective curtailment to specific turbines rather than uniformly curtailling all turbines. The controller identifies and curtails only the necessary number of turbines (n-1 or fewer) to maintain the power setpoint, allowing other turbines to operate at full capacity without continuous pitch adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by rotating the selection of turbines subject to curtailment based on cumulative curtailment time. Once a turbine has been curtailed for a certain period, it can be removed from the curtailment list and replaced by another turbine, distributing the wear and maintenance burden across different turbines over time rather than concentrating it on all turbines simultaneously.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If selective curtailment is applied to n-1 or fewer turbines based on priorities, then maintenance costs and noise impact are reduced, but the selection process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically evaluate turbine priorities, select appropriate turbines for curtailment, and adjust power output without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously manages the complex selection process by considering multiple factors (cumulative curtailment time, environmental conditions, noise sensitivity) and making real-time decisions to maintain the power setpoint while minimizing noise impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring turbine operational status, cumulative curtailment time, environmental conditions, and noise levels. This feedback information is used by the controller to dynamically adjust the curtailment strategy, selecting turbines for curtailment based on current conditions and rotating the curtailment burden over time to minimize overall noise impact and maintenance requirements.
4Device complexity
If uniform curtailment is applied to all turbines, then the implementation is simple, but it does not consider individual turbine capabilities or priorities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the curtailment strategy adaptive and changeable based on real-time conditions. The system dynamically adjusts which turbines are curtailed by considering individual turbine capabilities, cumulative curtailment time, environmental conditions, and noise sensitivity. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and turbine-specific characteristics rather than applying a static uniform curtailment strategy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the curtailment parameters (which turbines are curtailed, to what extent, and for how long) based on individual turbine characteristics and operating conditions. Each turbine can have different curtailment parameters applied to it, such as different priority levels, different maximum curtailment durations, and different selection criteria, allowing the system to accommodate individual turbine capabilities and priorities.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a method for selecting wind turbine generators in a wind park for a change in output power comprises providing a wind park comprised of a plurality n of wind turbines; selecting, on a non-spatial basis, n−1 or fewer wind turbines from the wind park for a change in power output; and changing power output of one or more of the selected n−1 or fewer wind turbines.