Simulation of a maximum power output of a wind turbine

Abstract

A method is disclosed for determining an individual maximum power level for one or more wind turbines in a wind power plant. The method comprises storing a wind turbine type maximum power level for one or more types of the one or more wind turbines, storing one or more fatigue load values relating to a range of power levels for each of the one or more types wind turbine, and storing one or more parameters relating to site conditions at the wind power plant. The method further comprises determining, based on at least the stored one or more fatigue load values and the stored one or more parameters, the individual maximum power level for each wind turbine of at least a first type of the one or more types.

1 . A method for determining an individual maximum power level for one or more wind turbines in a wind power plant, the method comprising:
 storing a wind turbine type maximum power level for one or more types of the one or more wind turbines;   storing one or more fatigue load values relating to a range of power levels for each of the one or more types;   storing one or more parameters relating to site conditions at the wind power plant; and   determining, based on at least the stored one or more fatigue load values and the stored one or more parameters, the individual maximum power level for each wind turbine of at least a first type of the one or more types.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein determining the individual maximum power level for each wind turbine of at least a first type of the one or more types further comprises:
 determining whether each wind turbine can operate at a test power level based on the one or more fatigue load values and the one or more parameters, wherein the test power level is initially set as the wind turbine type maximum power level for the one or more types, and wherein the one or more parameters reflect site conditions at a location of each wind turbine;   when one or more wind turbines can operate at the test power level, setting the test power level as the individual maximum power level of the one or more wind turbines;   when one or more wind turbines cannot operate at the test power level, generating a subsequent test power level by decrementing the test power level by a predetermined value; and   iteratively performing the determination for each subsequent test power levels until the individual maximum power level is set for each wind turbine.   
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining one or more fatigue load values for each power level in the range of power levels by simulating one or more load cases across a range of wind speeds and conditions.   
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that the one or more wind turbines have been in operation;   storing data relating to historical operation of the one or more wind turbines; and   altering the one or more fatigue load values based on the data relating to the historical operation.   
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 setting the individual maximum power level in the corresponding individual wind turbine.   
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 setting a lowest determined individual maximum power level in one or more individual wind turbines.   
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the individual maximum power level includes one or more of: an individual maximum generator torque, an individual maximum generator current, an individual maximum generator speed, and an individual maximum rotor speed. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for determining an individual maximum power level for one or more wind turbines in a wind power plant, the apparatus comprising:
 a memory adapted to:
 store a wind turbine type maximum power level for one or more types of the one or more wind turbines; 
 store one or more fatigue load values relating to a range of power levels for each of the one or more types; and 
 store one or more parameters relating to site conditions at the wind power plant; and 
   one or more processors adapted to determine, based on at least the stored one or more fatigue load values and the stored one or more parameters, the individual maximum power level for each wind turbine of at least a first type of the one or more types.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further adapted to:
 determine whether each wind turbine can operate at a test power level based on the one or more fatigue load values and the one or more parameters, wherein the test power level is initially set as the wind turbine type maximum power level for the one or more types, and wherein the one or more parameters reflect site conditions at a location of each wind turbine;   when one or more wind turbines can operate at the test power level, setting the test power level as the individual maximum power level of the one or more wind turbines;   when one or more wind turbines cannot operate at the test power level, generate a subsequent test power level by decrementing the test power level by a predetermined value; and   iteratively perform the determination for each subsequent test power levels until the individual maximum power level is set for each wind turbine.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further adapted to:
 determine one or more fatigue load values for each power level in the range of power levels by simulating one or more load cases across a range of wind speeds and conditions.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further adapted to: determine that the one or more wind turbines have been in operation, wherein the memory is further adapted to store data relating to historical operation of the one or more wind turbines; and
 alter the one or more fatigue load values based on the data relating to the historical operation.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further adapted to:
 set the individual maximum power level in the corresponding individual wind turbine.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further adapted to:
 set a lowest determined individual maximum power level in one or more individual wind turbines.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the individual maximum power level includes one or more of an individual maximum generator torque, an individual maximum generator current, an individual maximum generator speed, and an individual maximum rotor speed. 
     
     
         15 . A computer program product comprising computer readable executable code for implementing the method as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 simulating a load spectrum for two or more test power levels to determine a respective load on a wind turbine type for each test power level of the two or more test power levels;   comparing the determined load for each test power level with a design load for the wind turbine type;   setting a wind turbine type maximum power level for the wind turbine type as a maximum test power level of the two or more test power levels at which the determined load does not exceed the design load for the wind turbine type;   storing one or more fatigue load values relating to a range of power levels for the wind turbine type;   storing one or more parameters relating to site conditions at a wind power plant; and   determining, based on at least the stored one or more fatigue load values and the stored one or more parameters, an individual maximum power level for the wind turbine type.