Monitoring Wind Turbine Loading Using Power Converter Signals

WindEurope Summit 2016

Rieg, C.A.^1 ; Smith, C.J.^1 ; Crabtree, C.J.^1

School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, South Road, Durham

DH1 3LE, United Kingdom^1

关键词: Computer modeling;    Grid side converters (GSC);    Machine side converters;    Mechanical components;    Permanent magnet synchronous generator;    Stiffness and damping;    Wind energy conversion system;    Wind turbine loading;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/749/1/012018/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1742-6596/749/1/012018

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

The ability to detect faults and predict loads on a wind turbine drivetrain's mechanical components cost-effectively is critical to making the cost of wind energy competitive. In order to investigate whether this is possible using the readily available power converter current signals, an existing permanent magnet synchronous generator based wind energy conversion system computer model was modified to include a grid-side converter (GSC) for an improved converter model and a gearbox. The GSC maintains a constant DC link voltage via vector control. The gearbox was modelled as a 3-mass model to allow faults to be included. Gusts and gearbox faults were introduced to investigate the ability of the machine side converter (MSC) current (Iq) to detect and quantify loads on the mechanical components. In this model, gearbox faults were not detectable in the Iqsignal due to shaft stiffness and damping interaction. However, a model that predicts the load change on mechanical wind turbine components using Iqwas developed and verified using synthetic and real wind data.