Wind Turbine Farm Control via Wake Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine farms face inefficiencies due to wake or shadow effects caused by upwind turbines, leading to increased loads and reduced power production in downwind turbines, with conventional control systems offering limited solutions for optimizing overall power output and reducing structural and dynamic loads.
Innovation Solution
A remote control system that identifies upwind and downwind turbines based on wind direction, determines correlations between their power outputs through statistical analysis, and adjusts the operating level of upwind turbines to minimize turbulence, thereby increasing overall power production and reducing loads on individual turbines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If upwind wind turbines operate at full power output, then individual turbine power production is maximized, but turbulence and wake effects increase loads on downwind turbines reducing overall farm productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the operating parameters (power output level) of upwind turbines based on real-time conditions including wind direction, turbulence measurements from downwind turbines, and correlation data. This allows optimization of the balance between individual turbine output and overall farm productivity by adjusting parameters rather than maintaining fixed operation modes
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by measuring turbulence at downwind turbines, comparing it against correlation data that links upwind turbine operations to downwind turbulence levels, and using this information to regulate upwind turbine power output. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to respond to actual wake effects and optimize overall farm performance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If distances between wind turbines are increased to reduce wake effects, then loads on downwind turbines are reduced, but overall farm productivity decreases due to larger land area required
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than changing the physical layout (distances between turbines), the system changes operational parameters of upwind turbines to reduce wake effects. This allows maintaining optimal turbine spacing for land use efficiency while dynamically adjusting power output to minimize turbulence and loads on downwind turbines
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pitch angle of upwind turbine blades is reduced to minimize wake effects, then turbulence on downwind turbines is reduced, but power output of upwind turbines decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pitch angle of upwind turbine blades based on real-time conditions rather than using fixed pitch settings. By continuously optimizing pitch angle according to wind direction, turbulence measurements, and correlation data, the system achieves the most favorable balance between minimizing wake effects and maximizing power capture under varying operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pitch angle parameter of upwind turbine blades dynamically based on measured turbulence levels and correlation data, allowing optimization of the trade-off between reducing wake effects and maintaining power output according to actual farm conditions
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A system for operating a wind turbine farm, comprising a plurality of wind turbines (1) having at least one ambient sensor (7) and optionally at least one operating sensor (9). The wind turbines are in communication with a remote control unit(2) which in turn is connected to at least one database(3) in which the ambient data and, optionally, the operating data are stored. The remote control unit(2) selects an upwind wind turbine and determines a first power output thereof, and further selects a downwind wind turbine and determines a second power output thereof. The remote control unit(2) determines a relationship between the first and second power outputs which is then used to determine a reduced operating level of the selected upwind wind turbine. A method thereof is also provided.