Periodic Reporting for period 3 - TotalControl (Advanced integrated supervisory and wind turbine control for optimal operation of large Wind Power Plants)
Reporting period: 2020-09-01 to 2022-05-31
WP1: A reference WPP layout is designed as a reference throughout the project, and associated high-fidelity CFD flow fields produced and stored. The reference WPP also include an electro-mechanical model. Two medium fidelity models - the linear CFD RANS solver Fuga and the Dynamic Wake Meandering (DWM) model - have been updated to include non-neutral stratification and turbine yaw. Further, two simple and fast dynamic engineering WPP model has been developed and validated. Finally, machine learning has been investigated as an alternative to first-principles modelling. As for full-scale validation, 3 long-range lidars have been installed at the Lillgrund WPP - one scanning the inflow field, and the two others resolving the waked flow field inside the WPP. The measuring campaign are successfully concluded. This dataset is facilitating validation studies of both the high-fidelity CFD models and the lower fidelity models.
WP2: An open-loop WPP control optimization platform are developed giving wind farm control schedules conditioned on mean wind speed and mean wind direction. This platform uses WPP production as the objective function and optimizes individual WT de-rate. For quantification of optimal WPP control on OPEX, production, lifetime cost models and load surrogate models are needed. A cost model is developed and complemented with the surrogate model. The surrogate model is based on a huge number of aeroelastic simulations combined with the unsteady DWM flow field model. Preliminary results show an AEP increase of 2% and an estimated 5-years increase in lifetime. Moreover, techniques to measure the condition of a WT is developed. Finally, a WPP reactive power control algorithm - optimizing the reactive power dispatch between the wind turbines in a farm – is developed.
WP3: The Levenmouth WT (LWT) is used at the demonstration case. New wind turbine controller functionalities needed for WPP control of this WT is developed based on aeroelastic simulations. A set of reference loads was simulated, and the controller design finalized and prepared for field implementation on this 7MW WT - maximum power de-rating, delta control, IPC, 2P-IPC, a model predictive control scheme and algorithms for Lidar-assisted control, respectively. For load alleviation, specifications for tower-top sensor requirements for IPC is completed. For ancillary active power control, operation of an inverter as a Virtual Synchronous Machine has been analyzed. Moreover, an investigation of methods for active damping of tower vibration is completed. Experimental vise hardware needed for the Lidar installation on the LWT is produced, and installation of two Lidar’s - forward and backward facing - is completed. The yaw tests are running, and preparations for the various controller tests are largely completed. Finally, a selection of Lidar measurement data sets is ready for the CFD simulations investigating the induction zone wind field model.
WP4: Work on grid modelling is initiated. Regarding modelling, implementation of the LongSim code has been completed and coupled to the grid simulation tool KERMIT, providing a holistic model for the study of grid frequency support. A case study on the Irish electric grid is completed. A novel clustering method to differentiate local turbulence from larger-scale weather effects is developed. Finally, a fast method is developed for computing fatigue cycles based on turbulence spectra. Experimental vise, the VSM scheme is ready in the lab at SINTEF and measurements ongoing.
WP5: The goal of the WP is to raise awareness of the project results. This is done by setting up a website, designing a project visual identity and releasing a project video explaining what the TC project is about. Lastly, several publications on conferences and in journals. A newsletter is circulated on LinkedIn, and TC co-organised a Mini-Symposium on Wind Farm Control at WESC2019.