15 patents in this list

Updated:

Although they are a vital source of renewable energy, wind turbines' power output might fluctuate due to different wind conditions. Energy management can be complicated and electrical grids become unstable by this inconsistency.

 

Thus, to maximize their efficiency and ensure a seamless integration into the grid, wind turbines must maintain a constant power production.

 

This page looks at a number of innovations for achieving wind turbine power output consistency.

1. Grid Strength-Based Control Method for Optimized Wind Farm Power Output

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, 2023

Controlling the power output of a wind farm to enhance power transfer and stability by determining the grid strength and adjusting power generation accordingly. The method involves receiving grid measurements from the wind farm location, generating a grid model, computing the grid strength, and controlling the wind farm power output based on the computed grid strength. This allows for real-time optimization of the wind farm operation based on the current grid conditions.

2. Wind Power System with Grid-Stabilizing Power Fluctuation Control

VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S, 2022

A wind power system with reduced power fluctuations enables a wind power plant to contribute to grid stability during periods of grid instability. The system uses a power plant controller to monitor grid frequency and reduce power fluctuations when grid stability deteriorates. This involves limiting output fluctuations of wind turbines during times of reduced grid stability. The controller detects reduced grid stability from frequency variations and then commands turbines to reduce power fluctuations to help stabilize the grid. This selective curtailment of fluctuation helps prevent excessive grid frequency variations during unstable periods.

3. Method for Stabilizing Grid Frequency by Limiting Output Fluctuations in Wind Turbines

VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S, 2022

Reducing power fluctuations in wind power plants enhances grid stability and enables higher wind power penetration. The method involves selectively limiting output fluctuations of a subset of wind turbines. This is done by monitoring grid frequency for signs of grid instability and reducing power fluctuations of a subset of turbines with higher fluctuations if detected. This reduction can be asymmetric, cutting peaks without filling dips. The power reduction compensates for the uncontrolled fluctuations, stabilizing the overall wind power plant output.

4. Dynamic Control Schedule for Optimized Wind Turbine Energy Production and Component Longevity

VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S, 2020

A control method for maximizing energy capture while ensuring long wind turbine life by generating a dynamic control schedule that adjusts the maximum power output over time to balance energy production and component fatigue. The schedule is determined based on factors like target turbine lifetime, maximum component replacements, and remaining fatigue life. It allows operators to optimize energy production within constraints and avoid over-stressing components. The schedule is implemented by the wind turbine controller.

5. Dynamic Power Balancing in Variable Speed Wind Turbines for Grid Stability

VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S, 2019

This method reduces power fluctuations from variable-speed wind turbines to improve grid stability. It involves dynamically adjusting power output from different subsets of turbines to balance out fluctuations. One subset of turbines is designated as the primary set, and its power fluctuations are monitored. When fluctuations exceed a threshold, the power setpoint for the secondary set is adjusted to counterbalance the primary set. This reduces overall fluctuations compared to uncoordinated operations.

6. Variable Tip-Speed-Ratio Control System for Optimized Wind Turbine Power Output

General Electric Company, 2019

A system and method for operating a wind turbine to increase power production by using variable tip-speed-ratio control. It involves continuously adjusting the tip-speed-ratio set point based on real-time torque output to operate along a torque constraint boundary between unsaturated and saturated ranges. This allows the turbine to extract more power in the variable wind-speed region of the power curve instead of pitching prematurely.

7. Method for Stabilizing Power Output in Wind Turbines through Dynamic Blade Pitch Adjustment

VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S, 2019

A method to reduce power fluctuations in wind turbines in order to stabilize the electrical grid. The method involves tracking the output power of a subset of wind turbines and reducing their output power fluctuations. This is done by adjusting the blade pitch angle to limit power spikes during gusts. The reduced fluctuations are compensated by dispatching a higher setpoint to another subset of turbines.

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8. Method for Gradual Power Ramping in Wind Turbines to Prevent Gear Damage and Ensure Consistent Output

Vestas Wind Systems A/S, 2019

Fast ramping of power in wind turbines operating at derated power levels to meet grid code requirements while avoiding gear damage from torque reversals. The method involves gradual ramping of the power output and rotor speed in stages rather than ramping both simultaneously. This allows the turbine to maintain consistent power output and avoid gear-torque-reversal issues during ramping.

9. Optimized Rotor Blade Design for Enhanced Power Stability in Wind and Water Turbines

TERAL INC., 2019

A rotor design for wind turbines and water turbines that improves power generation stability across varying fluid speeds and directions. The rotor blades are shaped to protrude forward in the direction of rotation compared to a straight line connecting the blade ends. This optimized blade shape provides better power generation efficiency over a wider range of rotational speeds, making it more stable against changing fluid conditions.

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10. Autonomous Blade Pitch Control Mechanism for Small Wind Turbines

GU CO., LTD., 2019

Blade pitch control mechanism for small wind turbines that allows autonomous power regulation at high wind speeds. The mechanism uses a ball screw, spinner driver, and pitch controller to automatically adjust the pitch angle of the turbine blades when the rotational speed exceeds the rated speed. This prevents over-speeding and damage in high winds. The ball screw and spinner driver move forward to compress a spring, which folds the blades via a pitch controller.

11. Hydrogen-Based Energy Storage System for Continuous Renewable Power Generation

Lawrence D. Lansing, JR., Lawrence D. Lansing P.E., 2018

A large-scale renewable energy system that provides continuous power using only renewable sources like solar and wind. The system uses hydrogen as a storage mechanism to store excess energy from the renewable source. The stored hydrogen is then burned in gas turbines to produce electricity when the renewable source is not available.

12. Centralized Control System for Stabilizing Power Output from Wind Farms

Wobben Properties GmbH, 2018

Coordinated control of wind farms to provide stable power grid supply. The method involves using a central control unit to manage the power output of multiple wind farms feeding into an intermediate network. The central control unit monitors grid conditions and instructs the wind farms on how much power to provide. This allows the central control to balance and stabilize the total power fed into the main grid. The intermediate network provides a buffer between the wind farms and the main grid. If a wind farm loses communication with the central control, it can still provide frequency-dependent power control to support the grid.

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13. Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine with Uniform Blades and Tail Wing for Consistent Power Output

Young-Lok Oh, 2018

A horizontal-axis wind turbine uses airfoil blades with uniform width and thickness, pitch angle control to optimize lift, and a tail wing to generate additional power. The uniform blade shape increases torque compared to tapered blades. The pitch angle control mechanism adjusts blade pitch for optimal lift at different wind speeds. The tail wing helps extract more power.

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14. Optimization of Variable Speed Wind Turbine Power Generation Through Adaptive Blade Pitching

ALSTOM RENOVABLES ESPAÑA, S.L., 2018

Operating a variable speed wind turbine to optimize power generation as a function of wind speed. The method involves using a power curve that describes the turbine's efficient operating ranges below and above the nominal wind speed. Below the nominal speed, the blades are not pitched. This allows the rotor to rotate at its natural speed and maximize power output. The pitch mechanisms are only used in the supra-nominal range. This avoids pitching the blades when unnecessary, such as during transient wind conditions, preventing suboptimal operation.

15. Variable Overlap Generator for Constant Frequency AC from Renewable Energy Sources

Differential Dynamics Corporation, 2018

Generator to efficiently generate alternating current electricity at constant frequency and voltage from variable speed renewable energy sources like wind and water flow. The generator uses a direct current generator with a variable overlap generator that adjusts the overlap between the rotor and stator to match the rotational speed of the harnessing device. This generates constant frequency and voltage AC without needing a speed converter. The rotor overlap is controlled mechanically or electromechanically based on the input speed. The generator can be used in wind turbines and hydrokinetic turbines to provide direct constant frequency power output.

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A variety of techniques for ensuring steady electricity production from wind turbines are demonstrated by the methods presented here. Dynamic control schedules to balance energy output with component longevity, innovative blade designs for improved stability under changing wind conditions, and grid-based control systems to optimize power generation in real-time are some of them.