Wind Turbine Power Output Consistency Improvements
15 patents in this list
Updated:
Wind turbines are vital in harnessing renewable energy, yet their power output is inherently inconsistent. The wind's unpredictable nature leads to fluctuations that challenge grid stability and reliability. Achieving consistent power output is crucial for integrating wind energy into the grid effectively, reducing the need for backup power sources.
Professionals face the task of smoothing these fluctuations while dealing with mechanical wear and grid demands. Balancing turbine operation with the grid's needs requires precise control and real-time adjustments. The complexity increases with varying wind speeds and the need to minimize turbine stress.
This page explores recent advancements in control systems and turbine design that enhance power output consistency. Solutions include real-time grid-responsive control systems, dynamic power output adjustments, and blade pitch mechanisms. These strategies aim to stabilize output, manage torque, and reduce wear, ensuring reliable energy supply and improved grid integration.
1. Grid-Responsive Power Output Control System for Wind Farms Based on Real-Time Grid Strength Analysis
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. Power Plant Controller for Monitoring Grid Frequency and Limiting Wind Turbine Output Fluctuations
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. Selective Wind Turbine Output Fluctuation Limitation Based on Grid Frequency Monitoring
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 Generation for Wind Turbine Power Output Adjustment Based on Component Fatigue Analysis
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 Output Adjustment System for Variable-Speed Wind Turbines Using Subset Coordination
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 Wind Turbine Torque Management
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. Blade Pitch Adjustment and Setpoint Dispatch Method for Power Fluctuation Management in Wind Turbines
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.
8. Staged Power Output and Rotor Speed Ramping Mechanism in Wind Turbines to Prevent Torque Reversals
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. Forward-Protruding Rotor Blade Configuration for 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.
10. Ball Screw and Spinner Driver-Based Blade Pitch Adjustment 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 and Conversion 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 Managing Power Output of Multiple Wind Farms via Intermediate Network
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.
13. Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine with Uniform Airfoil Blades, Pitch Angle Control, and Tail Wing
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.
14. Variable Speed Wind Turbine Control Utilizing Power Curve with Selective Blade Pitch Mechanism Activation
ALSTOM RENEWABLES SPAIN, 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 Output from Variable Speed Inputs
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.