Wind Turbine Tap Selection Controller Voltage Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for feeding electrical power from wind energy plants into AC voltage networks require expensive reactive power compensation systems to meet quality requirements at the common coupling point, which is inefficient and complex.

Innovation Solution

A method and arrangement that utilize a tap selection controller to adjust the voltage at the output of a wind turbine, using a feed transformer with taps, to achieve the required voltage at the common coupling point, thereby eliminating or minimizing the need for reactive power compensation systems by controlling reactive power through voltage adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reactive power compensation systems with switchable inductances and capacitances are used to meet quality requirements at the common coupling point, then the voltage quality and reactive power requirements are satisfied, but the system becomes very expensive and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage quality at coupling pointVSAvoidreactive power compensation system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the operating parameters of the wind turbine by adjusting the voltage at its output through transformer taps. By varying the voltage magnitude and phase angle at the wind turbine output, the system can control the reactive power flow to the coupling point, thereby satisfying voltage quality requirements without complex compensation systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses the wind turbine's output voltage as an intermediary control variable. Instead of directly adding reactive power compensation equipment at the coupling point, the system mediates through the wind turbine's voltage control to achieve the desired reactive power flow and voltage quality at the coupling point

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If expensive reactive power compensation systems are deployed to meet network operator requirements, then the required reactive power can be supplied, but the cost and system complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereactive power at coupling pointVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wind turbine serves itself by controlling its own output voltage to provide the required reactive power to the network. The tap selection controller automatically adjusts the transformer taps based on detected coupling point voltage, enabling the wind turbine to self-regulate and meet network requirements without external compensation equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the voltage parameters at the wind turbine output to control reactive power flow. By adjusting voltage magnitude through tap selection, the system can supply required reactive power to the coupling point without incurring the costs associated with traditional compensation systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the voltage at the wind turbine output is controlled to achieve predetermined voltage at the common coupling point, then the voltage quality requirements are met, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage precision at coupling pointVSAvoidvoltage control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback control by detecting the actual voltage at the common coupling point and comparing it with the predetermined target voltage. The tap selection controller uses this feedback information to automatically select appropriate transformer taps, thereby maintaining voltage quality within specified tolerances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is dynamic and adaptive, continuously monitoring the coupling point voltage and adjusting the transformer taps in real-time. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain precise voltage control despite varying network conditions and wind turbine output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 efficient generation of reactive power at the coupling point with minimal effort, adapting to different operational requirements by selecting appropriate voltage ranges, thus reducing the complexity and cost of reactive power compensation.

Implementation Method 1

a feed transformer which is arranged in the energy transmission path and is provided with taps

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic transformation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2689511B1Method and arrangement for feeding electrical power from a wind turbine into an ac voltage network
Publication Date: 2017.05.31 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2689511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2689511B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2689511B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for feeding electrical power from a wind turbine (2; 3) via an energy transmission path (8; 9) into an AC voltage network (11) at a common coupling point (10) between the energy transmission path (8; 9) and the AC voltage network (11), wherein the voltage (Uk) at the coupling point (10) is detected and is supplied to a tapping selection regulator (16; 17). Moreover the voltage (Us) at the output of the wind turbine (2; 3) is detected and supplied to the tapping selection regulator (16; 17). On the basis of the magnitude of the detected voltages (Uk, Us), with a feed transformer (14; 15) disposed on the energy transmission path (8; 9) and provided with tappings, tappings are assigned by the tapping selection regulator (16; 17) in such a way that at the output of the wind turbine (2; 3) a voltage (Us) occurs which leads to a predetermined voltage (Uk) at the common coupling point (10). The invention also relates to an arrangement for feeding electrical power from a wind turbine into an AC voltage network.