Method and apparatus for protecting wind turbines from extreme events

Abstract

A wind turbine has a Lidar device to sense wind conditions upstream of the wind turbine. Signals from the wind turbine are processed to detect an extreme change in wind direction. The detection is performed by differentiating the rate of change of wind direction and filtering for a period of time. On detection of extreme change the system controller takes the necessary evasive action which may include shutting down the turbine, commencing an immediate yawing action, and de-rating the turbine until the yawing action is complete.

Claims

1. A control system for a wind turbine, the control system comprising: a sensing device mounted on the wind turbine, the sensing device configured to sense a wind speed at a position upwind of the wind turbine; and a controller comprising a differentiator and a filter, the controller configured to: detect, using signals received from the sensing device, a predefined extreme change event in wind direction upwind of the wind turbine, wherein detecting the predefined extreme change event in the wind direction comprises: determining, using the differentiator, an instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction, and determining, using the filter, whether the instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time, wherein the predetermined value depends on a magnitude of the sensed wind speed; and generate, in response to detecting the extreme change event, one or more control signals to vary an operating parameter of the wind turbine.

2. A control system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined value of the instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction is 5 degrees per second (°/s).

3. A control system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time is at least 3 seconds.

4. A control system according to claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises: a splitter for resolving wind speed signals from the sensing device into an axial component and a lateral component, wherein determining the instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction comprises: determining, using the lateral component, an instantaneous rate of change of a lateral wind speed.

5. A control system according to claim 1, wherein the sensing device is a multiple beam Lidar.

6. A control system according to claim 5, wherein the Lidar is a multiple range gate Lidar.

7. A control system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more control signals generated by the controller in response to detecting the extreme change event comprises a turbine shutdown command.

8. A control system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more control signals generated by the controller in response to detecting the extreme change event of comprises a turbine yaw command.

9. A control system according to claim 8, wherein the one or more control signals further comprise a command to de-rate the wind turbine until completion of a yawing action specified by the turbine yaw command.

10. A method of controlling a wind turbine, the method comprising: sensing, using a remote sensing device mounted on the wind turbine, a wind speed at a position upwind of the wind turbine; detecting, using signals received from the sensing device at a controller of the wind turbine, a predefined extreme change event in wind direction upwind of the wind turbine, wherein detecting the predefined extreme change event in the wind direction comprises: determining, using a differentiator of the controller, an instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction, and determining, using a filter of the controller, whether the instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time, wherein the predetermined value depends on a magnitude of the sensed wind speed; and generating, in response to detecting the extreme change event, one or more control signals to vary an operating parameter of the wind turbine.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined value of the instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction is 5 degrees per second (°/s).

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined period of time is at least 3 seconds.

13. A method according to claim 10, further comprising: resolving wind speed signals from the remote sensing device into an axial component and a lateral component, wherein determining the instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction comprises: determining, using the lateral component, an instantaneous rate of change of a lateral wind speed.

14. A method according to claim 10, wherein sensing the wind speed at the position upwind of the wind turbine comprises: sensing a first wind speed at a first distance upwind of the wind turbine, and sensing a second wind speed at a second distance upwind of the wind turbine.

15. A method according to claim 10, wherein the one or more control signals generated in response to detecting the extreme change event comprises a turbine shutdown command.

16. A method according to claim 10, wherein the one or more control signals generated in response to detecting the extreme change event comprises a turbine yaw command.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the one or more control signals further comprise a command to de-rate the wind turbine until completion of a yawing action specified by the turbine yaw command.

18. A system, comprising: a wind turbine; a sensing device mounted on the wind turbine, the sensing device configured to sense a wind speed at a position upwind of the wind turbine; and a controller comprising a differentiator and a filter, the controller configured to: detect, using signals received from the sensing device, a predefined extreme change event in wind direction upwind of the wind turbine, wherein detecting the predefined extreme change event in the wind direction comprises: determining, using the differentiator, an instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction, and determining, using the filter, whether the instantaneous rate of change of the wind direction exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time, wherein the predetermined value depends on a magnitude of the sensed wind speed; and generate, in response to detecting the extreme change event, one or more control signals to vary an operating parameter of the wind turbine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a graph of wind direction against wind speed showing an extreme change in direction;

(3) FIG. 2 is a similar graph to FIG. 1 of wind direction against time at a wind speed of 6 m/s;

(4) FIG. 3 is a similar graph to FIG. 2 at a wind speed of 10 m/s;

(5) FIG. 4 is a similar graph to FIG. 3 at a wind speed of 25 m/s;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic overview of a wind turbine having a Lidar embodying the invention and showing an oncoming wind front with an extreme change in wind direction;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the invention which measures the angle of wind direction; and

(8) FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the invention in which a change of direction is determined for the acceleration of a lateral velocity component.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(9) International Standard IEC 61400-1 3.sup.rd Edition, sets out design requirements for wind turbines. Chapter 6.3.2 referred to above sets out and defines extreme wind conditions including wind sheer events, peak wind speeds due to storms and rapid changes in wind speed and direction. The magnitude of an extreme direction change is given by:

(10) ${\theta }_e=\pm 4\arctan \left(\frac{{\sigma }_1}{V_{\mathrm{hub}}\left(1+0.1\left(\frac{D}{{\Lambda }_1}\right)\right)}\right)$
where θ.sub.e is the extreme direction change magnitude
σ.sub.1is given by σ.sub.1=I.sub.ref (0.75V.sub.hub+b); b=5.6 m/s

(11) Iref is the expected value of hub-height turbulence intensity at a 10 min average wind speed of 15 m/s

(12) Vhub is the wind speed at hub height

(13) D is the rotor diameter

(14) ${\Lambda }_1\mathrm{is}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{turbulence}\mathrm{scale}\mathrm{parameter},\mathrm{according}\mathrm{to}{\Lambda }_1=\{\begin{array}{c}0.7zz\le 60m\\ 42mz\ge 60m\end{array}$

(15) The extreme direction change transient, θ(t), shall be given by

(16) $\theta \left(t\right)=\{\begin{array}{c}0°\mathrm{for}t<0\\ \pm 0.5{\theta }_e\left(1-\cos \left(\pi t/T\right)\right)\mathrm{for}0\le t\le T\\ {\theta }_e\mathrm{for}t>T\end{array}$
where T=6 s is the duration of the extreme direction change. The sign shall be chosen so that the worst transient loading occurs. At the end of the direction change transient, the direction is assumed to remain unchanged. The wind speed shall follow the normal wind profile model.

(17) The transition into an extreme direction change is shown for a Vestas V90 1.8MW wind turbines in FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a graph of wind speed against wind direction with the thick line 10 showing the transition to an extreme direction change based upon the formula expressed in the equation above. Thus, a change of about +/−60° is considered to be extreme at a low wind speed of 5 m/s but at higher wind speeds, a much smaller wind change over the designed period t=6s is considered extreme. At 25 m/s a change of about 30° is treated as extreme.

(18) FIGS. 2 to 4 show this data as changes in wind speed over time at fixed wind speeds of 6 m/s (FIG. 2); 10 m/s (FIGS. 3); and 25 m/s (FIG. 4). The figures show that the rate of change is more important than the actual magnitude of the change as the rate of change determines the ability of the turbine to act. A wind direction that changes slowly over time is less likely to cause a problem to the turbine controller as the controller will have time to adjust turbine operating parameters in accordance with the change, whereas a rapid change may not give the turbine controller sufficient time to react. As wind speeds increase, the rate of change of direction that the controller can handle adequately decreases as is reflected in the graphs which show the extreme transition occurring at a much lower angle for higher wind speeds that for lower wind speeds. In all three examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the extreme transition is a gentle S-shaped curve, which is essentially a straight line over it's mid-portion between about 2 and 4 s.

(19) FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which a Lidar or similar remote sensing apparatus 20 is mounted on a wind turbine 30. It is presently preferred to mount the Lidar on the top surface of the turbine nacelle behind the rotor blades with a look direction extending generally in front of the blades. Alternative locations for the Lidar may be used, for example it may be mounted in hub to rotate with the hub to provide a conical scan.

(20) It is preferred, but not essential, that the Lidar is a multiple gate range Lidar. This means that the Lidar is capable of sensing wind conditions at a plurality of distances from the wind turbine. This makes it possible to monitor the progress of a detected extreme event which may reduce in intensity as it approaches the wind turbine. This is important as it prevents evasive action being taken which is unnecessary if the severity of the event diminishes as it approaches the turbine. Reacting to an extreme event is undesirable unless absolutely necessary and will cause a temporary loss in energy production. Sensing wind conditions relatively far from the turbine, however, is desirable as it gives more time for the turbine to react.

(21) The Lidar is a multiple beam Lidar having at least two beams enabling it to sense the direction of movement. Although not essential, the Lidar preferably has between three and five beams. These beams may be produced by any suitable method, for example using a single Lidar device with a beam splitter or multiplexer or by using a plurality of devices.

(22) In FIG. 5 the Lidar 20 senses wind conditions at two ranges: 50 m and 100 m. This is exemplary only and different distances and a different number of distances may be chosen depending on the site and the number of ranges the chosen Lidar can measure. A wind front 40 is shown advancing on the turbine. This front changes direction at a point between the two ranges with the direction change front being shown by dotted line 50. At the 50 m range the Lidar detects zero wind direction, that is, the wind direction is parallel to the axis of rotation of the turbine. At 100 m the Lidar and associated processor detects an angle of about 30° over a 6 second period or 5° per second. Depending on the wind speed, this change in angle could represent an extreme change. To enable this to be determined, the controller differentiates the signal provided by the Lidar to determine the rate of change of direction. In practice, wind direction signals will frequently change instantaneously by this amount. However, in determining whether the change may be treated as an extreme event, it is important to determine whether this rate of change is maintained over a period of time, for example between about 2 to 5 seconds, preferably for at least three seconds and more preferably at least four seconds. This may be achieved by filtering the differentiated signal. If the signal reaches the threshold of 5° per second, then the controller can command evasive action.

(23) The controller may determine the angle of the wind direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the wind turbine rotor. Alternatively it may look at the detected wind velocity and resolve that velocity into lateral and axial components with the lateral component representing the velocity of travel in a direction parallel to the plane of rotation of the wind turbine rotor, or normal to its axis of rotation. Once the lateral component has been determined it is differentiated to give the acceleration or rate of change of the lateral component. If that acceleration exceeds the given threshold then action is taken. The threshold may be exceeded for a time period as mentioned above for the change in direction to be treated as an extreme change. The time period may depend on the magnitude of the acceleration so that a more rapidly changing wind front may need to be detected for a shorter time than one which only just exceeds the extreme event threshold for evasive action to be taken.

(24) Once the controller detects that the threshold has been exceeded for the predetermined time it commands the turbine to take evasive action. This may require a controlled shut down or an emergency shut down of the turbine or some other action such as varying the blade pitch angle for the output power. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller may override the turbine yaw to start an immediate yawing procedure.

(25) The turbine may be de-rated until the yawing action is complete. The choice of evasive action will depend on the severity of the extreme event.

(26) FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the two embodiments described. In FIG. 6, a Lidar 20 mounted on a wind turbine emits a plurality of beams 48 to detect a parameter of the upwind wind front 40. In this embodiment the Lidar is a multibeam Lidar which has a plurality of beams or look directions three being shown in the figure and which detect the wind direction which may be expressed as an angle ⊖ with respect to a known direction such as the axis of rotation of the wind turbine rotor. A differentiator 55 differentiates the measured angle with respect to time to give a value d⊖/dt and a filter 60 filters that signal over a predetermined period of time, here 4 seconds as discussed above. A threshold detector 65 receives the output from the filter and an indication of windspeed and determines whether the treshold hes been exceeded. The threshold detector includes a look up table of thresholds at different windspeeds. At 70, where the output of the threshold detector indicates an extreme event, the controller commands an evasive action and causes a parameter of the wind turbine to be adjusted accordingly. This parameter may be a total shut down command or a nacelle yaw command.

(27) The embodiment of FIG. 7 is similar to that of FIG. 6 except that the controller acts on the output of the Lidar 20 at 80 to determine the wind velocity and resolves that velocity into two components: an axial velocity in the direction of the axis of rotation of the wind turbine rotor, and a lateral velocity being the velocity in the plane of the rotor or normal to the axis of rotation. The differentiator 55A acts on the lateral velocity to provide an output to the filter 60 dV.sub.lateral/dt which is the lateral acceleration of the wind and therefore indicative of a change in direction.

(28) Thus, embodiments of the invention enable extreme changes of direction to be detected and evasive action taken before the events arrive at the wind turbine. This enables the design constraints on the turbine to be changed so that they do not have to withstand loading caused by extreme changes in wind direction This in turn enables wind turbine designers to use lighter components reducing the cost of wind turbines and thus the cost of producing energy. Alternatively, it enables existing components to be operated at higher rated output powers thus boosting the energy that can be extracted by a given turbine.

(29) Many modifications to the embodiments described above are possible and will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.

(30) For example, the controller may be mounted on, and be part of, an individual turbine, or it may be a remote controller which controls multiple turbines which form a wind park or a part of a wind park. The scope of which is defined by the following claims.