Wind Turbine Wake Steering With Downstream Feedback Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wake steering methods for wind turbines in wind parks are inaccurate, leading to improper wake loss control, which reduces overall energy capturing efficiency due to incorrect detection of wind turbine nacelle position, relative wind speed, and changes in wind conditions or terrain, resulting in inefficient energy capture.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that monitors wake loss at downstream turbines and adjusts the upstream turbine's control strategy based on actual wake effects, using sensors to determine an adjusted wake loss control strategy that offsets predicted wind directions to mitigate wake loss, incorporating yaw, tilt, and pitch controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wake steering is performed using predefined control strategies based on predicted wind directions, then wake loss control is simplified and can be implemented, but the control accuracy deteriorates due to incorrect detection of nacelle position, wind speed, and terrain changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having downstream wind turbines transmit actual wake condition data (such as power output, blade load, or yaw moment) back to upstream turbines. This feedback loop allows upstream turbines to compare predicted wake conditions with actual conditions and adjust their yaw angles accordingly, resolving the contradiction between simplified control implementation and accurate wake steering by using real-world measurements to correct predictive model errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensor-based detection systems with a feedback mechanism that uses operational data from wind turbines (power output, blade loads, yaw moments) to infer wake conditions. This substitution resolves the measurement precision problem by using operational parameters that naturally reflect wake conditions rather than relying on separate detection systems that are prone to positioning and calibration errors.
2Productivity
If wake steering is performed to redirect wake away from downstream turbines, then downstream turbine energy capture is improved, but upstream turbine energy capture efficiency deteriorates due to misalignment with wind direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing wake steering only when and where it provides net benefit to the wind farm. Rather than universally applying yaw misalignment to all upstream turbines, the system selectively applies wake steering based on actual wake conditions detected by downstream turbines, thus avoiding unnecessary energy losses at upstream turbines while still improving downstream performance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic wake steering control where the yaw angle of upstream turbines is continuously adjusted based on real-time feedback from downstream turbines about actual wake conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between upstream and downstream energy capture, applying wake steering only to the extent necessary to improve overall farm performance rather than using fixed misalignment angles.
3Device complexity
If predefined wake loss control strategies are used for all wind conditions, then control system complexity is reduced, but the effectiveness deteriorates due to inability to adapt to changing terrain, obstacles, and wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by allowing the wake control system to automatically adapt to changing conditions through feedback from downstream turbines. Rather than requiring complex pre-programmed strategies for every possible scenario, the system uses actual operational data from downstream turbines to self-adjust upstream turbine yaw angles, thereby achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing control system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from fixed predefined yaw angles to dynamically adjusted yaw angles based on feedback from downstream turbines. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to varying terrain, obstacles, and wind conditions by continuously modifying the yaw angle parameter in response to actual wake conditions, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to controlling a wind turbine that has a predefined wake control strategy for controlling it to perform wake control actions as a function of wind direction, and for adjusting its generated wake at wind directions predicted to result in wake loss at a further, downstream wind turbine. The invention includes receiving, from the further wind turbine, a wind direction determined to result in a defined wake condition at the further wind turbine, and determining a difference between a wind direction predicted to result in the defined wake condition at the further wind turbine and the received wind direction determined to result in the defined wake condition. The invention includes determining an adjusted wake control strategy that is for controlling the wind turbine to perform the wake control actions of the predefined strategy as a function of wind direction offset by the determined difference.