Control methods for converting an amount of electric power into a loss for managing consequences of a grid fault

Abstract

A method to control a wind power installation is provided. The wind power installation includes a generator and a converter. The generator is configured to convert wind power into electrical power and to provide the electrical power from the generator to the converter. The converter is configured to adapt and to provide the electrical power to an electrical grid. The converter is operable to comply with pre-determined grid code requirements during a grid fault. An amount of electrical power, which is present in the wind power installation during the grid fault, is fed into the generator. The generator is operable to convert the respective amount of electrical power into a generator loss.

Claims

1. A method to control a wind power installation exposed to a grid fault, the wind power installation including a generator and a converter, the generator configured to convert wind power into electrical power and to provide the electrical power to the converter, the converter configured to provide a converted electrical power to an electrical grid, in compliance with pre-determined grid code requirements during the grid fault, the method comprising: feeding, by the converter, an amount of electrical power generated by the generator from rotational kinetic energy of the wind power installation during the grid fault, back into the generator; transforming the amount of electrical power into a loss in the generator by feeding the amount of electrical power into at least one winding of the generator to cause resistance loss and into an iron core of the generator to cause iron loss, wherein the transforming the amount of electrical power into a loss in the generator is controlled by the converter.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: controlling, by the converter, a distribution of the amount of electrical power.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a second amount of electrical power during the grid fault is fed into another component of the wind power installation, and wherein the component is configured to convert the second amount of electrical power into a thermal loss, wherein the component is at least one of a hydraulic pump, a yaw system, and a pitch system of the wind power installation.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the converter of the wind power installation controls an amount of active power being fed into the grid during the grid fault for grid support purposes, wherein the converter of the wind power installation controls an amount of reactive power being fed into the grid during the grid fault for grid support purposes after controlling the amount of active power being fed into the grid during the grid fault for grid support purposes, and wherein the converter of the wind power installation feeds the amount of electrical power generated by the generator during the grid fault back into the generator from the converter after controlling the amount of reactive power being fed into the grid during the grid fault for grid support purposes.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wind power installation is a wind turbine or a wind power plant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

(1) Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(3) This FIGURE is only an example and does not limit the scope of embodiments of the invention.

(4) The wind power installation WPI comprises a generator GEN and a converter CON.

(5) The generator GEN is operable to convert wind power WP into electrical power PEL. The electrical power PEL from the generator GEN is provided to the converter CON.

(6) The converter CON is operable to adapt and to provide the electrical power PEL to an electrical grid GRD.

(7) The converter CON is operable to comply with pre-determined grid code requirements during a grid fault GF, which might happen at the grid GRD.

(8) According to embodiments of the invention an amount of electrical power APEL, which is present in the wind power installation during the grid fault GF, is fed back into the generator GEN.

(9) The generator GEN is operable to convert the respective amount of electrical power APEL into a thermal loss GL in the generator GEN.

(10) Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

(11) It should be noted that the use of a or an throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and comprising does not exclude other steps or elements. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.