US6924565B2 — Continuous reactive power support for wind turbin…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 111 words

A network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems comprising: a plurality of generators to generate real power and reactive power, wherein one or more of the generators includes a variable frequency converter excitation system to control real power and reactive power flow, and further wherein the variable frequency converter excitation systems are capable of contributing reactive power independently of the generators; and a system controller coupled with the plurality of generators to control real and reactive power generated by individual generators in the plurality of generators based on thermal capability and/or voltage limits of the individual generators to cause the plurality of generators to provide commanded real and reactive power.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 111 words

A network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems comprising: a plurality of generators to generate real power and reactive power, wherein one or more of the generators includes a variable frequency converter excitation system to control real power and reactive power flow, and further wherein the variable frequency converter excitation systems are capable of contributing reactive power independently of the generators; and a system controller coupled with the plurality of generators to control real and reactive power generated by individual generators in the plurality of generators based on thermal capability and/or voltage limits of the individual generators to cause the plurality of generators to provide commanded real and reactive power.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 1 wherein the system controller further regulates voltage at a point of common coupling.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 48 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 2 further comprising a line drop compensator coupled with the system controller to regulate voltage at a location other than a point of common coupling using voltage, current and/or power measurements at the point of common coupling.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 40 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 1 further comprising switched power management components coupled with the plurality of generators and the system controller, wherein the switched power management components are controlled by the system controller.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 4 wherein the switched power management components comprise switched capacitors and/or switched reactors.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 25 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 1 wherein the individual generators operate as static VAR regulators under any wind condition.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 1 wherein real and reactive power commands are received by the system controller from a utility grid operator.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 33 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 7 wherein the system controller operates as a closed-loop controller that regulates real and reactive power at a point of common coupling.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 63 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 7 wherein the system controller operates as a closed-loop controller and the network further comprises a line drop compensator coupled with the system controller to regulate real and reactive power at a location other than a point of common coupling using voltage, current and/or power measurements at the point of common coupling.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 30 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 7 wherein the controller provides a unique reactive power command to each wind turbine generator in a wind farm.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 27 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 4 wherein the reactive power command is coordinated with adjustments to the switched power management components.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 51 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 11 wherein the reactive power command and the switched power management components are operated to optimize one or more of: increased dynamic range of reactive power production, reduced wind farm losses, improved wind farm voltage profile, and improved power production.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 34 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 8 wherein the system controller causes each of the individual generators in the plurality of generators to generate substantially the same reactive power.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 67 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 4 wherein commands to the individual wind turbine generators include a reactive power component in the form: Q 0 +(dQ/dP)P, where Q 0 is a nominal VAR operating point that is provided to all wind turbine generators in a system and (dQ/dP)P is a reactive power/real power incremental slope multiplied by wind turbine generator power (P).

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 34 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 13 wherein the commands to the individual wind turbine generators further comprise a real power modulation signal to emulate a governor droop function.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 39 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 13 wherein the commands to the individual wind turbine generators further comprise a real power modulation signal to provide power system damping based on measured and/or calculated frequency.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 40 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 13 wherein the commands to the individual wind turbine generators further comprise a real and/or reactive power modulation signal to adjust network power based on a utility reference command.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 33 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 17 wherein the system controller operates as an open-loop controller that regulates real and reactive power at a point of common coupling.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 63 words

The network of variable speed wind turbine generator systems of claim 7 wherein the system controller operates as an open-loop controller and the network further comprises a line drop compensator coupled with the system controller to regulate real and reactive power at a location other than a point of common coupling using voltage, current and/or power measurements at the point of common coupling.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 118 words

A method comprising: determining power to be provided to a predetermined location; providing commands to individual wind turbine generators in a multi-turbine system, wherein one or more of the generators includes a variable frequency converter excitation system to control real power and reactive power flow, and further wherein the variable frequency converter excitation systems are capable of contributing reactive power independently of the generators, the commands to control real and reactive power generated by individual generators in the plurality of generators based on thermal capability and/or voltage limits of the individual generators to cause the plurality of generators to provide commanded real and reactive power; and providing power from the wind turbine generators in response to the commands.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 118 words

A method comprising: determining power to be provided to a predetermined location; providing commands to individual wind turbine generators in a multi-turbine system, wherein one or more of the generators includes a variable frequency converter excitation system to control real power and reactive power flow, and further wherein the variable frequency converter excitation systems are capable of contributing reactive power independently of the generators, the commands to control real and reactive power generated by individual generators in the plurality of generators based on thermal capability and/or voltage limits of the individual generators to cause the plurality of generators to provide commanded real and reactive power; and providing power from the wind turbine generators in response to the commands.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 20 further comprising providing commands to regulate voltage at a point of common coupling.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 20 further comprising regulating voltage with a line drop compensator at a location other than a point of common coupling using voltage, current and/or power measurements at the point of common coupling.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 20 wherein the commands to the individual wind turbine generators further comprise a real and/or reactive power modulation signal to adjust network power based on a utility reference command.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 20 further comprising controlling switched power management components coupled with the plurality of generators and the system controller.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of claim 24 wherein the reactive power command and the switched power management components are operated to optimize one or more of: increased dynamic range of reactive power production, reduced wind farm losses, improved wind farm voltage profile, and improved power production.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 24 wherein the switched power management components comprise switched capacitors and/or switched reactors.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 20 wherein the individual generators operate as static VAR regulators under any wind condition.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 20 further comprising receiving real and reactive power commands from a utility grid operator.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 20 wherein the plurality of generators to generate substantially the same reactive power.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 60 words

The method of claim 20 wherein commands to the individual wind turbine generators include a reactive power component in the form: Q 0 +(dQ/dP)P, where Q 0 is a nominal VAR operating point that is provided to all wind turbine generators in a system and (dQ/dP)P is a reactive power/real power incremental slope multiplied by wind turbine generator power (P).

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 29 further comprising sending a real power modulation signal to the wind turbine generators to emulate a governor droop function.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 29 further comprising sending a real power modulation signal to the wind turbine generators to provide power system damping based on measured and/or calculated frequency.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 29 further comprising sending a real and/or reactive power modulation signal to the wind turbine generators to adjust network power based on a utility reference command.

Claim 36

Independent Claim 124 words

An apparatus comprising: means for determining power to be provided to a predetermined location; means for providing commands to individual wind turbine generators in a multi-turbine system, wherein one or more of the generators includes a variable frequency converter excitation system to control real power and reactive power flow, and further wherein the variable frequency converter excitation systems are capable of contributing reactive power independently of the generators, the commands to control real and reactive power generated by individual generators in the plurality of generators based on thermal capability and/or voltage limits of the individual generators to cause the plurality of generators to provide commanded real and reactive power; and means for providing power from the wind turbine generators in response to the commands.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 124 words

An apparatus comprising: means for determining power to be provided to a predetermined location; means for providing commands to individual wind turbine generators in a multi-turbine system, wherein one or more of the generators includes a variable frequency converter excitation system to control real power and reactive power flow, and further wherein the variable frequency converter excitation systems are capable of contributing reactive power independently of the generators, the commands to control real and reactive power generated by individual generators in the plurality of generators based on thermal capability and/or voltage limits of the individual generators to cause the plurality of generators to provide commanded real and reactive power; and means for providing power from the wind turbine generators in response to the commands.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising means for providing commands to regulate voltage at a point of common coupling.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising means for controlling switched power management components coupled with the plurality of generators and the system controller.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising means for receiving real and reactive power commands from a utility grid operator.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising means for sending a real power modulation signal to the wind turbine generators to emulate a governor droop function.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising means for sending a real power modulation signal to the wind turbine generators to provide power system damping based on measured and/or calculated frequency.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising means for sending a power modulation signal to the wind turbine generators to adjust network power based on a utility reference command.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2008-08-01	2009-01-31	2009-08-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2012-08-01	2013-01-31	2013-08-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2016-08-01	2017-01-31	2017-08-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Continuous reactive power support for wind turbine generators

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