Wind Turbine Control Arrangement for Dynamic Speed Boosting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine control strategies do not effectively exploit non-extreme operating conditions to maximize annual energy production (AEP), often resulting in sub-optimal aerodynamic performance and reduced energy extraction.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine control arrangement that includes a loading analysis module to assess if the momentary loading is below a threshold at rated rotational speed, allowing a speed boost module to increment the rotor speed to follow the ideal power/speed trajectory, thereby maximizing energy extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wind turbine operates at rated rotational speed to ensure safety and avoid damage, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the annual energy production is reduced due to sub-optimal aerodynamic performance
Solution Approach 1:
The control arrangement dynamically adjusts the rotational speed based on real-time loading conditions. When loading is below the threshold, the system allows the rotational speed to exceed rated speed to capture additional energy, and when loading approaches the threshold, it reduces speed to maintain safety. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and maximizing energy production.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (rotational speed) beyond the fixed rated speed limit when conditions permit. By allowing rotational speed to vary above the traditional rated speed threshold when loading is acceptable, the system extracts more energy while maintaining safety through continuous monitoring of loading conditions.
2Strength
If the wind turbine is designed for specific wind class requirements with fixed rated speed, then the structural loading is controlled, but the aerodynamic performance is sub-optimal when wind conditions allow higher speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static rated speed design to a dynamic speed control strategy. The rotational speed is continuously adjusted based on real-time loading measurements, allowing the turbine to operate at optimal speeds for maximum power extraction while ensuring structural loading remains within acceptable limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arrangement uses feedback from loading sensors to continuously monitor and adjust rotational speed. When loading is below the threshold, the system allows speed increases to improve aerodynamic performance, and when loading approaches critical levels, it reduces speed to maintain structural integrity.
3Reliability
If the rotational speed is reduced to avoid damage to long rotor blades, then the safety is improved, but the energy extraction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts rotational speed based on real-time blade loading conditions. When loading is below the threshold, the system allows rotational speed to exceed rated speed to maximize energy extraction, and when loading approaches the threshold, it reduces speed to prevent damage to long rotor blades.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arrangement changes the operational parameter (rotational speed) beyond the fixed rated speed limit when conditions permit. By allowing rotational speed to vary above the traditional rated speed threshold when loading is acceptable, the system extracts more energy while maintaining safety through continuous monitoring of blade loading 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
The proposed control arrangement allows wind turbines to operate closer to their ideal power/speed trajectory, even at rated rotational speed, thereby increasing the annual energy production and optimizing aerodynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
The aerodynamic rotor and the generator are collectively regarded as a power producing unit (21). The rotational speed of the aerodynamic rotor and the output power of a wind turbine are directly related to wind speed.
Implementation Method 2
The power coefficient is a function of tip-speed ratio and rotor blade pitch angle, and the tip-speed ratio is the ratio between rotor blade tip speed and wind speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A control arrangement for a variable-speed wind turbine includes a loading analysis module configured to analyse a number of environment values to establish whether the momentary wind turbine loading is lower than a loading threshold when the rotational speed of the aerodynamic rotor has reached its rated value; and a speed boost module configured to determine a speed increment for the rotational speed of the aerodynamic rotor if the wind turbine loading is lower than the loading threshold.