Wind Turbine Yaw Auto-Calibration for Anemometer Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing yaw control systems for wind turbines face challenges in accurately aligning the rotor shaft with the wind direction due to wind turbulence and local topology, leading to sub-optimal energy capture and reduced power production.
Innovation Solution
A yaw auto-calibration method that collects data on mechanical speed, wind speed, and turbine power over time periods to determine wind direction compensation signals, which are then used to adjust the anemometer readings and optimize the yaw position of the wind turbine nacelle, thereby improving alignment with the wind inflow direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If anemometers are installed at the top of the wind turbine nacelle to measure wind speed and direction, then the yaw control system can adjust the nacelle position to align with wind direction, but the measurements are affected by wind turbulence caused by blades, nacelle, and local topology leading to sub-optimal alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary calibration process that uses multiple measurement sources (including anemometers and alternative measurement techniques) to determine actual wind direction. This calibration data serves as a mediator between the raw anemometer measurements and the yaw control decisions, compensating for turbulence-induced measurement errors and improving both measurement accuracy and power capture efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If wind speed measurement is used as the basis for wind direction correction in existing yaw calibration approaches, then yaw correction can be applied, but systematic deviations caused by rotor rotation and misalignment severely affect the measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the yaw control system continuously monitors multiple parameters including wind direction, wind speed, rotor position, and power output. This multi-parameter feedback loop allows the system to detect systematic deviations and compensate for them through iterative calibration, improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by using multiple measurement techniques and combining data from different sources (anemometers, alternative measurement systems, operational parameters). This multi-parameter approach allows the system to cross-validate measurements and eliminate systematic deviations caused by rotor rotation and misalignment.
3Productivity
If the yaw control system constantly detects wind direction and adjusts nacelle position to maximize power production, then energy capture is optimized, but measurement errors due to turbulence and topology reduce alignment accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary calibration actions before the yaw control system makes alignment decisions. By pre-processing measurement data through calibration routines that account for turbulence and topological effects, the system prepares corrected wind direction data in advance, ensuring both high measurement precision and optimal power production efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A yaw auto-calibration method configured to calibrate at least one anemometer of a yaw control system to correct for yaw misalignment. The yaw auto-calibration method includes collecting wind turbine data over a plurality of time periods with respect to the at least one anemometer. The wind turbine data including one or more of mechanical speed, wind speed, turbine power, and wind direction. The method includes determining from the collected data a wind direction compensation signal associated with a plurality of operational parameter ranges and the wind direction compensation signals correspond to the effects on the at least one anemometer due to yaw misalignment. The method further includes providing the wind compensation signals to the yaw control system to adjust the wind direction data of the at least one anemometer for each of the associated operational parameter ranges.