Wind Turbine Component Workload Balancing via Dynamic Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbine components experience uneven wear due to varying usage frequencies, leading to potential physical degradation and inefficiencies in operation, as existing control systems do not effectively balance workloads between components.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine a workload associated with each wind turbine component based on its actuations over a time period, calculate an operating threshold value, and adjust operations accordingly to balance the workload between components, thereby reducing excessive stress and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wind turbine components are operated with fixed operating threshold values, then the control system is simple and easy to operate, but components experience uneven wear and physical degradation due to varying usage frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The operating threshold values are transformed from fixed to dynamic, allowing them to change based on component workload. The controller continuously monitors actuation frequencies and adjusts threshold values in real-time, enabling the system to adapt to varying operational conditions and balance wear across components while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback mechanism is implemented where the controller monitors the actuation frequency of each component and uses this information to adjust operating threshold values. The system continuously receives feedback on component usage patterns and modifies control parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents uneven wear without requiring complex manual intervention
2Reliability
If operating threshold values are adjusted dynamically based on workload, then component wear is balanced and longevity is improved, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs self-adjustment by automatically monitoring its own operational parameters and modifying control decisions based on accumulated workload data. Each component's actuation history is tracked and used to dynamically adjust threshold values, enabling the system to self-optimize component usage patterns without external intervention or complex manual configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (threshold values) based on workload conditions. By monitoring actuation frequencies and adjusting threshold values dynamically, the system transforms static control parameters into adaptive variables that automatically balance component wear while maintaining straightforward implementation through standard control algorithms
3Productivity
If components are used with greater frequency to meet operational demands, then the wind turbine maintains high productivity, but the frequently used components experience high wear rates and physical degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operating threshold values based on real-time workload monitoring, allowing flexible response to varying wind conditions and power demands. By making threshold values adaptive rather than fixed, the system can maintain high productivity when conditions permit while automatically reducing stress on components during periods of high demand, balancing output with component protection
Solution Approach 2:
The controller proactively prevents excessive wear by adjusting operating threshold values before components reach critical wear levels. By monitoring accumulated actuation frequencies and preemptively modifying control parameters, the system counteracts the tendency toward uneven wear while maintaining operational efficiency, preventing degradation before it occurs rather than reacting to it
Data Source
AI summary
A system, a device and a method for controlling an operation of a wind turbine (100) based on a wind turbine component workload. The system includes a control device (120) that is configured to actuate a wind turbine component (130). The system also includes a wind turbine controller (205) that is coupled in communication with the control device (120) and configured to determine a workload associated with the wind turbine component (130) based at least in part on one or more actuations of the wind turbine component (130) by the control device (120) within a time period. The wind turbine controller (205) is also configured to calculate an operating threshold value based at least in part on the calculated workload and to operate the wind turbine component (130) by the control device (120) based on the calculated operating threshold value.