Wind Turbine TSR Control With Degradation-Adjusted Power Coefficient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern wind turbines face sub-optimal operations due to mismatches between predetermined and actual power coefficients, leading to inefficient energy production and potential damage from environmental degradation, as existing control schemes rely on nominal coefficients without accounting for blade degradation or changes in aerodynamic properties.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling wind turbines in partial load operation mode using a tip-speed ratio (TSR) tracking scheme, where the power coefficient is updated through an iterative adjustment process based on a degradation function, calculated from measurements of generator power, rotor effective wind speed, and rotor speed, ensuring operation with an accurate operating power coefficient that reflects actual turbine characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a predetermined power coefficient is used in the control scheme, then the control system is simple and stable, but the energy production efficiency decreases due to mismatch with actual aerodynamic properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors actual turbine performance parameters (power output, rotor speed, wind speed) and compares them with expected values based on the predetermined power coefficient. This feedback loop enables the system to detect deviations caused by aerodynamic degradation and trigger iterative adjustments to update the power coefficient, thereby maintaining optimal energy production efficiency while using a relatively simple control structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the power coefficient parameter from a fixed predetermined value to an updated value through iterative adjustment. The controller modifies the power coefficient parameter based on detected mismatches between expected and actual turbine performance, allowing the system to adapt to aerodynamic degradation over time. This parameter change enables the control system to maintain high energy production efficiency without requiring complete redesign of the control architecture.
2Measurement precision
If the power coefficient is updated iteratively based on degradation function, then the accuracy of aerodynamic representation improves, but the computational complexity and measurement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the control system to self-calibrate by using its own operational data (power output, rotor speed, estimated wind speed) to compute the degradation function and update the power coefficient. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring its performance and automatically adjusting its parameters without requiring external calibration equipment or complex measurement instruments. This self-service approach achieves high measurement precision while minimizing additional system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent updates the power coefficient parameter iteratively by computing a degradation function that quantifies the deviation from the predetermined coefficient. The controller calculates this parameter change based on the ratio of actual to expected power output, then applies the updated coefficient in subsequent control cycles. This parameter change mechanism progressively improves measurement precision while using computationally efficient calculations that do not require complex algorithms or additional sensors.
3Productivity
If blade degradation is not accounted for in the control system, then the control scheme remains simple, but the turbine operates at sub-optimal points leading to energy production loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that detects the effects of blade degradation through continuous monitoring of turbine performance parameters. The controller compares actual power output with expected output based on the predetermined power coefficient and environmental conditions. When degradation is detected (indicated by consistent deviation between actual and expected performance), the system triggers an iterative adjustment process to update the power coefficient, thereby compensating for aerodynamic changes and maintaining optimal energy production without requiring direct monitoring of blade condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the power coefficient as an intermediary parameter that indirectly represents the aerodynamic condition of the blades. Instead of directly monitoring complex blade degradation (such as leading edge erosion or surface roughness), the system uses the power coefficient as a mediator that captures the net effect of aerodynamic changes. This intermediary approach simplifies the monitoring complexity while still enabling the controller to adapt to degradation and maintain high energy production efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to controlling a wind turbine with an updated power coefficient. The updated power coefficient being adjusted by a degradation function which is determined in an iterative adjustment process. The wind turbine is controlled in partial load operation mode based on a tip-speed ratio (TSR) tracking scheme based on an estimated wind speed. The iterative adjustment process comprises operating the wind turbine to obtain a measurement set. The degradation function that represents the values of the measurement set is calculated and assigned to the mean operating TSR of the measurement set. The iterative process is continued until a difference between the selected TSR and the mean operating TSR is below a preset difference. A continuous degradation function for a range of the mean operating TSR value(s) is thereby obtained to determine an updated power coefficient to be used as the operating power coefficient.