Wind Turbine Backup Power Module With Direct Grid-Voltage Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbine power backup systems face inefficiencies and increased complexity due to operating at multiple voltage levels, requiring AC-DC-AC inverters and leading to switching losses during grid faults like grid loss or low voltage ride through (LVRT).
Innovation Solution
A controllable power storage module within the wind turbine provides a total backup voltage matching the nominal voltage range of the internal power supply grid, eliminating the need for AC-DC-AC inverters and incorporating a redundant system of series connected controllable power storage units with individual voltage control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery-based power backup system is used during grid loss, then power supply continuity is improved, but switching losses increase due to operation of the main converter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the voltage matching function from the main converter by introducing a controllable power storage module with capacitive elements that directly provide the required voltage level. This eliminates the need for the main converter to operate in voltage conversion mode during grid loss, removing the source of switching losses while maintaining power supply continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controllable power storage module acts as an intermediary between the utility grid and the internal power supply grid. During grid loss, this intermediary component provides the necessary voltage level directly, preventing the main converter from needing to perform voltage conversion and thus eliminating switching losses while ensuring continuous power supply.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple voltage levels are used in the internal power supply grid, then adaptability to different power consuming units is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a universal single-voltage-level DC power supply grid that can serve multiple different power consuming units with varying power requirements. The controllable power storage module and main converter work together to provide this single voltage level universally, eliminating the need for multiple voltage levels and associated complexity while maintaining adaptability to different loads.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the voltage level parameter to adapt to different power consuming units, the invention maintains a constant voltage level and adapts the power delivery capability through the controlled operation of the main converter and controllable power storage module. This parameter change approach simplifies the grid architecture while preserving versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wind turbine comprising an internal power supply grid for distributing power to a number of power consuming units of the wind turbine, the wind turbine further comprising a power backup system connected to the internal power supply grid for supplying power to said internal power supply grid during a grid fault, wherein the power backup system comprises a controllable power storage module providing a total backup voltage that falls within a nominal voltage range of the internal power supply grid of the wind turbine. The present invention also relates to a power backup system and an associated method.