Wind Turbine Operating Space Control for Coordinated Setpoint Shifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbine control systems struggle to handle multi-dimensional adjustments to the operating space effectively, often treating changes as independent unidimensional reductions, which limits cross-visibility and coordination between dimensions, leading to undesirable operating points and energy losses.
Innovation Solution
A central multi-dimensional operating space controller receives signals from various requestors, tracks current set points, and dynamically determines output signals for coordinated changes across multiple dimensions, prioritizing active and reactive power to optimize energy capture and mechanical loading, enabling coordinated multi-dimensional transition paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional wind turbine control systems treat changes as independent unidimensional reductions, then the control system structure remains simple, but cross-visibility and coordination between dimensions is lost, leading to undesirable operating points and energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent unidimensional control handlers into a single central multi-dimensional operating space controller. This controller receives requests from multiple sources (grid curtailment, noise reduction, temperature limits, etc.) and coordinates adjustments across multiple dimensions (power, speed, pitch angle, thrust) simultaneously, ensuring energy-optimal transition paths while maintaining manageable system structure through unified architecture.
2Loss of energy
If a central multi-dimensional controller is implemented to coordinate changes across multiple dimensions, then energy losses are reduced and operating space transition behavior is improved, but software design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central multi-dimensional operating space controller is designed as a universal controller that handles multiple functions: receiving requests from various sources (grid curtailment, noise reduction, component temperature limits), tracking current operating points across multiple dimensions, calculating optimal transition paths, and sending coordinated control signals to multiple actuators. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The central controller acts as an intermediary between multiple requestors (grid operators, noise management systems, temperature monitoring systems) and multiple actuators (pitch control, power conversion, speed regulation). It receives diverse requests, translates them into coordinated multi-dimensional adjustments, and manages the transition paths, simplifying the overall control architecture despite the increased coordination requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple requestors simultaneously request modifications to different dimensions of the operating space, then the system becomes highly adaptable to different operating circumstances, but coordination between dimensions becomes difficult, leading to undesirable operating points
Solution Approach 1:
The central multi-dimensional operating space controller continuously tracks the current operating point across all dimensions (power, speed, pitch angle, thrust) and uses this feedback to calculate optimal transition paths. When multiple requestors simultaneously request modifications, the controller evaluates the current state and coordinates the adjustments to ensure the system moves through desirable operating points, preventing instability or undesirable states during transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting a multi-dimensional operating space of a wind turbine includes receiving, via a central multi-dimensional operating space controller, a plurality of signals from a plurality of requestors of modified operating space. Each of the plurality of signals includes a data structure having requested set points for a plurality of dimensions in the operating space. The method also includes tracking, via the central multi-dimensional operating space controller, current set points for the plurality of dimensions in the operating space. Further, the method includes dynamically determining, via the central multi-dimensional operating space controller, an output signal based on the requested set points, the output signal comprising one or more changes for the current set points for the plurality of dimensions in the operating space. Moreover, the method includes controlling the wind turbine based on the output signal so as to provide a modified multi-dimensional operating space.