Wind turbine control method

Abstract

A wind turbine control method involves calculating a value indicative of a misalignment φ of the wind turbine on a basis of at least one signal indicative of wind direction. A determination is made as to whether the value indicative of the misalignment φ of the wind turbine is above a first predefined misalignment threshold value. A value of a blade pitch angle β is adapted. At least one of the blades of the wind turbine is rotated about its longitudinal axis on the basis of the adapted value of the blade pitch angle β.

Claims

1. A control method of a wind turbine which comprises a series of blades, and a blade pitch angle control system, the method comprising the following steps: calculating a value indicative of a misalignment φ of the wind turbine on a basis of at least one signal indicative of wind direction, determining whether the value indicative of the misalignment φ of the wind turbine is above a first predefined misalignment threshold value; adapting a value of a blade pitch angle β, wherein the step of adapting the value of the blade pitch angle β further comprises: adapting the value of the blade pitch angle β at least on a basis of the value indicative of the misalignment φ of the wind turbine if the value indicative of the misalignment φ of the wind turbine is determined to be above the first predefined misalignment threshold value; and adapting the value of the blade pitch angle β without the value indicative of the misalignment φ of the wind turbine if the value indicative of the misalignment φ of the wind turbine is determined not to be above the first predefined misalignment threshold value, and rotating at least one of the blades of the wind turbine about its longitudinal axis on a basis of the adapted value of the blade pitch angle β.

2. The control method according to claim 1 wherein the step of adapting the value of the blade pitch angle β at least on the basis of the value of the misalignment φ further comprises: calculating an initial set point of the blade pitch angle β, modifying the initial set point of the blade pitch angle β if the initial set point of the blade pitch angle β is less than a minimum blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN so that a blade pitch angle final set point is greater than or equal to the minimum blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN; and rotating at least one of the blades of the wind turbine about its longitudinal axis on the basis of the blade pitch angle final set point value; wherein the minimum blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN is calculated on the basis of at least the value indicative of the misalignment φ.

3. The control method according to claim 2, wherein the calculation of the minimum blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN comprises carrying out a comparison of a signal indicative of wind speed with a curve or table comprising a correlation between the minimum blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN, which defines a stalling threshold, and each value of the signal indicative of wind speed.

4. The control method according to claim 3, wherein the signal indicative of wind speed comprises a blade tip speed ratio λ, defined as a quotient between a linear speed of the blade tip and the wind speed: $\begin{array}{c}\lambda =\mathrm{blade}\mathrm{tip}\mathrm{linear}\mathrm{speed}\\ \mathrm{wind}\mathrm{speed}\end{array}$

5. The control method according to claim 4, wherein the signal indicative of wind speed is a filtered measurement of the blade tip speed ratio λ obtained by means of applying a filter F1 to the blade tip speed ratio λ.

6. The control method according to claim 5 wherein the filter F1 comprises a time constant τ which is configurable.

7. The control method according to claim 6 wherein the filter F1 is a moving mean.

8. The control method according to claim 7 further comprising calculating the moving mean with a configurable number of used points.

9. The control method according to claim 5 wherein the step of calculating the minimum blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN comprises a modification of a filtration time constant τ for the filter F1 applied to the blade tip speed ratio λ.

10. The control method according to claim 9 further comprising comparing the value indicative of the misalignment φ with the first predefined misalignment threshold value and in that the modification of the filtration time constant τ for the filter F1 is related to the value indicative of the misalignment φ; in such a way that the filtration time constant τ for the filter F1 is greater when the value indicative of the misalignment φ is greater than the first predefined misalignment threshold value and lower when the value indicative of the misalignment φ is lower than the first predefined misalignment threshold value.

11. The control method according to claim 9 wherein the modification of the filtration time constant τ for the filter F1 applied to the blade tip speed ratio λ is carried out in a zone of partial production.

12. The control method according to claim 9 wherein if after a predefined time interval ΔT from a change in misalignment triggered when a rate of change of misalignment with respect to time is above a second predefined misalignment threshold value the wind speed is maintained, then the filtration time constant τ of the filter F1 regains its original value τ.

13. The control method according to claim 3, wherein the calculation of the minimum blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN comprises a step of adding an additional term Δβ.sub.MIN to the minimum blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN obtained through comparing the signal indicative of wind speed with the curve or table comprising the correlation between the minimum blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN, which marks a stalling threshold for each value of the signal indicative of wind speed, when an existence of misalignment is determined on the basis of the value indicative of the misalignment φ.

14. The control method according to claim 13 wherein the additional term Δβ.sub.MIN is predetermined or dependent on the value indicative of the misalignment φ.

15. The control method according to claim 13 wherein if after a predefined time interval ΔT from a change in misalignment triggered when a rate of change of misalignment with respect to time is above a second predefined misalignment threshold value the wind direction is maintained, then the additional term Δβ.sub.MIN is canceled.

16. The control method according to claim 2 wherein the step of calculating the initial set point of the blade pitch angle β is performed on the basis of at least one value related to an error in a speed of rotation of a rotor of the wind turbine.

17. A control method of a wind turbine which comprises a series of blades, and a blade pitch angle control system, the method comprising the following steps: calculating a value indicative of a misalignment φ of the wind turbine on a basis of at least one signal indicative of wind direction, determining whether the value indicative of the misalignment φ of the wind turbine is above a first predefined misalignment threshold value; if the value indicative of the misalignment φ of the wind turbine is determined to be above the first predefined misalignment threshold value, adapting a value of a blade pitch angle β at least on a basis of the value indicative of the misalignment φ of the wind turbine; and if the value indicative of the misalignment φ of the wind turbine is determined not to be above the first predefined misalignment threshold value, the value of the blade pitch angle β is not adapted; and rotating at least one of the blades of the wind turbine about its longitudinal axis on the basis of the value of the blade pitch angle β.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a graph which details the state of the art: illustrating a curve of minimum blade pitch angle as a function of wind speed. It can be seen how below the rated wind speed there is a zone of partial load, whereas above the nominal power rated wind speed there is a zone of rotational speed regulation with the blade pitch angle.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the control system which allows the method of the invention to be implemented.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a graph of the curves Power coefficient Cp-blade pitch angle β; for different blade tip speed ratios λ.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a graph in which a curve (β.sub.MIN−λ) can be appreciated which defines the blade pitch angle lower limit value β.sub.MIN which marks the stalling threshold for each value of blade tip speed ratio λ.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a graph in which a power curve as a function of wind speed can be appreciated (below rated wind speed: partial production zone, above rated wind: zone of nominal production or of speed of rotation regulation with the blade pitch angle).

(6) FIG. 6 shows a graph in which the resulting β.sub.MIN can be appreciated in an embodiment which comprises adding an additional value Δβ.sub.MIN to the minimum limit defined by the curve that marks the stalling blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN (i) for each λ.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a diagram in which a detail can be appreciated of the calculation block of the minimum limit of blade pitch angle based on misalignment according to a preferred embodiment. In this case, an additional term Δβ.sub.MIN is added to the minimum limit β.sub.MIN (i) defined by the curve that marks the stalling blade pitch angle for each λ.

(8) FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a detail of the calculation block of the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN based on misalignment according to an alternative embodiment, wherein based on misalignment the filtration time constant τ of the filter F1 applied to the measurement of the blade tip speed ratio λ is modified which allows a filtered signal λ.sub.med to be obtained for being used to obtain the β.sub.MIN defined by the curve which marks the stalling blade pitch angle β for each value of blade tip speed ratio λ.

EXAMPLE OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(9) The wind turbine for which the control method of the invention is intended comprises a series of blades, and control system of blade pitch angle β such as the one observed in FIG. 2. Said blade pitch control system makes it possible to implement the control method of the invention, wherein based on a wind turbine misalignment value φ with respect to a direction of incident wind, a lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN is calculated in a calculation block of the lower limit of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN. In the light of said FIG. 2 it can be appreciated that an initial blade pitch angle set point β.sub.ref can be calculated as the sum of the contributions of the two PI-type regulators, one using as input signal the error in the speed of rotation of the rotor (ω.sub.ref−ω.sub.med) and the other using as input signal the difference between the rated torque and the torque calculated in the regulator of the speed of rotation using torque (T.sub.rated−T.sub.med). The initial blade pitch angle set point β.sub.ref is restricted at top and bottom between upper and lower blade pitch angle limits (β.sub.MAX, β.sub.MIN) to obtain a final blade pitch angle final set point β.sub.ref final which will be sent to the blade pitch actuators. To calculate the value of the lower limit of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN, the control system uses as information at least one value indicative of the wind turbine's misalignment φ.

(10) In this way, and making use of the control system mentioned above or of a similar one, one proceeds to calculate: A value indicative of the wind turbine's misalignment φ based on at least one signal indicative of the wind's direction. An initial set point of blade pitch angle β based on at least one value related to an error in the speed of rotation of the rotor (.sub.ref−.sub.med).

(11) To subsequently proceed to modify at least one initial set point of blade pitch angle if the latter is lower than the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN, calculated on the basis of the value indicative of misalignment φ, in such a way that a blade pitch final set point is greater than or equal to the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN to subsequently act on at least one of the blades of the wind turbine based on the blade pitch angle final set point value.

(12) Furthermore, the control method comprises calculating the value of the lower limit of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN using the value indicative of misalignment φ.

(13) In this way, the value of the lower limit of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN is adapted to the conditions of wind turbine orientation, to prevent excessive stalling and/or loads.

(14) To be able to calculate the value of the lower limit of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN one proceeds to make a comparison of a signal indicative of wind speed with a curve or table comprising a correlation between the blade pitch angle lower limit value β.sub.MIN and the signal indicative of wind speed which defines the blade pitch angle lower limit value β.sub.MIN which determines an aerodynamic stalling threshold for each value of the signal indicative of wind speed. The data that gives rise to the table or curve can be obtained by means of simulation of the points related to the power coefficient Cp for each blade pitch angle β at different blade tip speeds.

(15) In one possible embodiment a blade tip speed ratio λ is used as a signal indicative of wind, although in other possible embodiments the signal indicative of wind speed can be taken on the basis of instantaneous wind speed data, average wind speed or on the basis of data related to the average power or average blade pitch angle. However, the use of the blade tip speed ratio λ makes it possible to take into account not only the effects of wind speed on the rotor, but also the effects of the rotation of the rotor itself, as the influence of the speed of rotation of the rotor on the profile lift force (measured through the power coefficient Cp) is substantial. The blade tip speed ratio λ is determined on the basis of wind speed measurements—which can be taken by means of wind data capture means such as anemometers—and speed of rotation of the rotor and is calculated by means of the following formula, as the quotient between linear speed of the blade tip and wind speed, according to the formula:

(16) $\lambda =\frac{\mathrm{blade}\mathrm{tip}\mathrm{linear}\mathrm{speed}}{\mathrm{wind}\mathrm{speed}}$

(17) FIG. 3 shows curves which illustrate the relationship between the power coefficient Cp and the blade pitch angle β for different values of blade tip speed ratio λ. It can also be appreciated how said curves have respective maximum values which mark a transition between two zones of operation: A first zone or zone of normal operation, for which control of the wind turbine is tuned. A second zone or zone of aerodynamic stalling for which control of the wind turbine is not valid. It is for this reason that the control of the wind turbine incorporates the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN to avoid the operation in the zone of aerodynamic stalling. Hence, the calculation of the initial set point of the blade pitch angle β is based on the error of the speed of rotation of the rotor.

(18) Said curves do not take into account lift losses associated to a potential deposition of particles on the surface of the blade which alter the geometry of the aerodynamic profiles nor other effects which vary the lift of the blades, such as misalignment and its corresponding value φ.

(19) The maximum points of the curves which relate the power coefficient [Cp] with the blade pitch angle β for different values of the blade tip speed ratio λ define pairs of points β−λ which are used to characterise a curve (β.sub.MIN−λ), which can be appreciated in FIG. 4, which in turn defines the blade pitch angle lower limit value β.sub.MIN which marks a stalling threshold value for each value of blade tip speed ratio λ. Said curve is modelled in one embodiment in the form of the aforementioned table and is implemented in the control system of the wind turbine to characterise the correlation between the blade pitch angle lower limit value β.sub.MIN which marks a stalling threshold and each value of the signal indicative of wind speed λ. This makes it possible to obtain for each value of the blade tip speed ratio λ the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN to avoid operation in the zone of aerodynamic stalling. In the hypothetical lambda value in instant i (λ.sub.Med(i)), the corresponding lower limit value of the blade pitch angle (β.sub.MIN(i)) is obtained as can be appreciated on viewing FIG. 4.

(20) As the table implemented in the wind turbine control system comprises a limited number of pairs of points, for those measurements of blade tip speed ratio values λ which do not correspond to any of the points on the table, a process of interpolation is carried out between at least two of them using conventional interpolation techniques, such as for example a linear interpolation.

(21) Given that the signals related to the measurements of wind speed and speed of rotation of the rotor necessary for obtaining the blade tip speed ratio λ can have noise and produce undesirable effects such as fluctuations; the method described herein envisages applying at least one filter F1 to any signal which requires it, as in this case to the signals related to the blade tip speed ratio λ so as to therefore carry out a filtration process and smooth said signal in time and for said fluctuations in the measurements not to be reflected in the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN.

(22) Said filters may be of any type that allows the required result to be obtained, such as a low pass filter which allows the lower frequencies to pass and attenuates those higher frequencies and which moreover presents a configurable time constant, or a filter based on a moving average which can be calculated with a configurable number of points.

(23) In one preferred embodiment, the method comprises adding an additional term of the blade pitch angle lower limit value Δβ.sub.MIN (which can be predetermined or dependent on the misalignment value φ) to the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN obtained from comparing the signal indicative of the blade tip speed ratio λ with the predetermined curve or table which defines the blade pitch angle lower limit value β.sub.MIN at which the blade does not stall, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In this way, when there is misalignment, the minimum limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN is greater than when it does not exist, allowing a higher limit to be used to avoid the blade evolving towards a blade pitch angle β lower than that which the wind speed requires (note that due to the misalignment, the wind component perpendicular to the plane of the rotor is less than when the wind turbine is aligned, meaning that the blade pitch angle β tends to diminish to maintain the speed of rotation; however, the blade pitch angle β in those circumstances is less than that corresponding to the same speed of rotation with the wind turbine correctly aligned). This is particularly advantageous in the nominal production zone, which is to say, the zone in which there is regulation of the speed of rotation of the rotor using the blade pitch angle β.

(24) According to an embodiment such as the one shown in FIG. 8; the method comprises modifying a filtration time constant τ when there is misalignment. Hence, in one embodiment, the filtration time constant τ when there is misalignment τ.sub._Misaligned used in the filter F1 to calculate the filtered value of the blade tip speed ratio λ, λ.sub.med, is different to the filtration time constant when there is no misalignment τ.sub._Aligned. Specifically, in a preferential manner the value of the filtration time constant when there is a significant misalignment τ.sub._Misaligned is greater than the filtration time constant when there is none τ.sub._Aligned, in other words (τ.sub._Misaligned>τ.sub._Aligned). This has, as a technical effect, having a slower variation of the filtered λ signal, λ.sub.med, for the same input signal when there is misalignment than when there is not, therefore, a slower temporal evolution of the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN in said circumstances. This is especially advantageous in the zone of operation at partial load, which is to say, the zone in which the speed of rotation of the rotor is regulated with the electrical torque of the generator. In this case, when the wind turbine is in the zone of torque regulation of the speed of rotation the blade pitch angle β is that of greatest production (or greatest lift coefficient). In this case, if there is a sudden gust of wind, the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN will increase its value as the wind speed increases (or the blade tip speed ratio λ) at a speed dependent on a first filtration constant faster than the blade pitch angle set point does to control the speed of rotation of the rotor for the speed error. This has as effect that, because the initial blade pitch β set point is lower than the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN, the final set point takes the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN. However, if at that moment a change in orientation occurs, it is advisable to reduce extreme loads, to reduce the speed of actuation of the blade pitch system for which it is proposed to reduce the time constant applied for calculation of the blade tip speed ratio λ.

(25) Also, in one possible embodiment, it is possible to modify the calculation of the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN only if it is determined that the misalignment value φ is above a predefined misalignment threshold value, by means of a comparison of the misalignment value φ of the wind turbine with the threshold.

(26) Thus, for example, in one possible embodiment in which it is determined or known that there is no misalignment or that the misalignment is below the predefined threshold value, the calculation of the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle βMIN is carried out on the basis of a signal indicative of wind speed, preferably the blade tip speed ratio λ, and a predetermined curve which defines the blade pitch angle lower limit value βMIN which marks the stalling threshold for each value of blade tip speed ratio λ, without carrying out the sum of any additional term or modification of the filtration time constant τ. However, when the misalignment is significant, the lift losses or variation in actual Cp is relevant and it is advisable to protect against new changes in wind direction; meaning that if it is determined that the misalignment exceeds the misalignment threshold value then said calculation of the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN is modified, either by means of the sum of an additional term of the blade pitch angle lower limit value Δβ.sub.MIN (which can be predetermined or dependent on the misalignment value) or by means of modifying the filtration time constant τ in the filter F1.

(27) When the wind turbine is operating in the nominal production zone according to FIG. 5, the blade pitch control system is regulating the speed of rotation of the rotor an the wind turbine will be operating with positive blade pitch angles.

(28) In one embodiment, when the wind turbine is operating in said zone, if the misalignment value of the wind turbine exceeds the predefined threshold value, the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN is calculated by means of adding a predetermined value Δβ.sub.MIN to the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN initially obtained from comparing the signal indicative of wind speed with the predetermined curve or table which defines the blade pitch angle lower limit value β.sub.MIN at which the blade does not stall for each value of the signal indicative of wind speed, as can be appreciated from FIG. 7. In this way, when the wind turbine is operating in the zone of speed regulation with blade pitch, if there is a sudden misalignment due to a change in wind direction, the blade pitch angle β is prevented from declining below a value greater than the stall minimum limit, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this production zone, it is advisable to use a lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN above the limit value that marks stalling as, if the wind direction changes again and becomes similar to the previous direction, and the blade pitch angle β has already declined as a consequence of the reduction in aerodynamic torque caused by the transient misalignment of the wind turbine, the blade is in a zone in which it will suffer a higher load. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid load excesses and in the manner described a reduction in fatigue loads is achieved in situations of winds with frequent changes in direction within short time intervals.

(29) Also, the greater the error in alignment, the more protected it is advisable for the wind turbine to be against new changes in direction and gusts of wind, so that in one embodiment, the added value is growing with the alignment error from a minimum threshold error.

(30) Said additional minimum limit value Δβ.sub.MIN is obtained by means of the calculation block of the control system which allows calculation, among other things, of the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN on the basis of the misalignment as shown in FIG. 7. As explained, there are different scenarios for the calculation of the additional term Δβ.sub.MIN: Comparison of the misalignment value with the predefined misalignment threshold value in such a way that if it exceeds or is equal to it, Δβ.sub.MIN adopts a positive predetermined value and if it does not exceed it, Δβ.sub.MIN is equal to zero. Assignation of a Δβ.sub.MIN value for each misalignment value on the basis of a table or function. A combination of the two, comparison of the misalignment value with the predefined misalignment threshold value and assignation of a Δβ.sub.MIN for each misalignment value on the basis of a table or function when the misalignment value exceeds the threshold value and when it does not exceed it Δβ.sub.MIN is equal to zero.

(31) If the wind direction is maintained after a predefined time interval ΔT since a sudden change in wind direction (which can be determined by means of the comparison of the rate of change of misalignment with respect to time), the lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN is calculated again only on the basis of the comparison of a signal indicative of wind speed with a predetermined curve or table which defines the blade pitch angle lower limit value β.sub.MIN that marks a stalling threshold for each value of the signal indicative of wind speed. Which is to say, after a ΔT since a sudden change in wind direction, Δβ.sub.MIN is cancelled or τ regains its original value. This is so because, if the wind orientation direction is maintained for a while, it is not advisable to maintain a lower limit value of the blade pitch angle β.sub.MIN that is too high, as it might not be appropriate for the speed of the incident wind. This is a transient protection measure for the machine, until it is determined that the wind turbine is in a stable situation.