Wind Turbine Yaw Offset Activation for Unstable Wake Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wake control methods in wind farms fail to reliably improve power production by compensating for wake effects due to unpredictable wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling yaw offset of wind turbines based on decision functions that enable or disable yaw offset control using activation parameters determined by variables such as wind direction and variation, ensuring optimal power production by adjusting yaw offset angles based on stable wind conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If yaw offset control is continuously applied to compensate wake effects, then power production losses due to wake effects are reduced, but the reliability of power production improvement deteriorates under unpredictable wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic enabling and disabling of yaw offset control based on real-time wind condition assessment. The controller monitors wind direction variability and turbulence intensity, dynamically adjusting the activation state of yaw offset control to match current atmospheric conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between continuous wake compensation and reliability under varying wind conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of yaw offset control based on wind condition parameters. By monitoring wind direction variability and turbulence intensity thresholds, the system adjusts whether yaw offset control is active or inactive, optimizing power production reliability while minimizing energy losses under different wind regimes
2Productivity
If yaw offset control is enabled to increase energy capture, then wake losses are compensated, but power production may worsen when wind conditions are unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors wind direction variability and turbulence intensity, and uses this feedback to determine whether to enable or disable yaw offset control. This closed-loop approach ensures that energy capture enhancement is only pursued when wind conditions are sufficiently stable, preventing power production deterioration under unstable conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary assessment of wind condition stability before activating yaw offset control. By evaluating wind direction variability and turbulence intensity thresholds in advance, the system ensures that yaw offset control is only enabled when conditions predict favorable power production outcomes, thereby maintaining reliability while maximizing energy capture
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a yaw offset of a plurality of wind turbines. The method uses a decision function which generates an activation parameter for determining if the yaw offset control of a specific wind turbine should be enabled or disabled. The decision function depends on two or more variables comprising a wind direction variable indicative of the wind direction of the specific wind turbine, and a wind variation variable defining at least a wind variation range where yaw offset control is disabled or enabled. Based on the decision function it is determined if a yaw offset should be added to the current yaw setting of the specific wind turbine.