Wind Turbine Transformer Voltage Control via Reactive Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face challenges in maintaining voltage tolerance across transformers, leading to potential overloading and inefficiencies due to reactive component fluctuations, which can result in voltage deviations exceeding safe limits on either side of the transformer, necessitating restrictive operating points and reduced energy yield.
Innovation Solution
A state-dependent setpoint shifter is used in the control system to adjust the reactive component of the converter, based on voltage measurements, to manage voltage deviations by shifting reactive current flow, thereby maintaining voltage tolerance on both sides of the transformer, using existing measurement hardware and minimizing additional effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a narrower tolerance field is selected for voltage, then voltage compliance is improved, but the possible operating points for the wind turbine are restricted, leading to reduced energy yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes in the reactive power component to maintain voltage within a broader tolerance range. By dynamically adjusting reactive power, the system can operate at more operating points without violating voltage compliance, thereby maintaining higher energy yield compared to using a narrowly fixed tolerance field.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic voltage control through reactive power adjustment, allowing the wind turbine to adapt to varying operating conditions. This dynamic approach enables operation across a wider range of voltage conditions without compromising compliance, thus preserving energy yield that would be lost with static narrow tolerance limits.
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 provides combined protection for the wind turbine, transformer, and grid, allowing for better transformer utilization, reduced overheating risks, and improved energy efficiency by maintaining voltage within specified limits with minimal yield losses.
Implementation Method 1
a Reactive component of the power output is adjustable... the control system sending an actuating signal for a reactive component applied to the converter
Implementation Method 2
a voltage measuring device is arranged on the transformer, the voltage signal of which is applied to an input of a state-dependent setpoint shifter
Implementation Method 3
whose output signal is applied to a limiting module for the reactive component acting on the converter... state-dependent setpoint shifter
Data Source
Figure 1~2d
Figure 3a~5
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a wind energy system having a rotor (12), a generator (2) driven thereby, said generator having a converter (3) for generating electrical power for supply to a grid (9) via a transformer (8) for which voltage monitoring is provided, and a control system (4) comprising a converter controller (34), wherein the control system (4) applies a control signal for a blind component to the converter (34). The invention provides that a voltage measuring device (51) is disposed on the transformer (8), the voltage signal of said voltage measuring device being applied to an input of a voltage-dependant target value valve (5), the output signal of said valve being applied to a limiting module (59) for the blind component acting on the converter (3). The blind component can therefore be adjusted into both directions (inductive/capacitive) as a function of whether or not an overvoltage or undervoltage is present. The invention thus achieves the combined protection, e.g. the protection of the power supply, of the transformer, and also of the wind energy system at a low additional expenditure. The invention further enables better utilization of the transformer (8). An over-dimensioning, as has been carried out thus far due to the exceeding of the tolerance threshold for the voltage, is therefore no longer necessary. In this manner smaller and more efficient transformers (8) may be utilized. At the same time, the protection of the power supply (9) and that of the wind energy system (1) are also improved.