La tecnologia/The technology

Wind turbine power converter can be eliminated and a cluster of wind turbines can be controlled with a single Voltage Source Converter (VSC). In offshore VSC-HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) applications such a converter is already existing and does not imply any additional cost. The proposed system control is based on a centralized controller that imposes the optimal voltage and frequency to the cluster to capture the maximum power from the wind. A communication system between the centralized control and the wind turbines can be used to calculate the optimal operation point. The system can be also controlled without communications. In this case, the centralized control switches to a noncommunications mode and a safe operation is established.

Avantatges innovadores/Innovative advantages

The proposed configuration can be used for a cluster or for an entire power plant. Also, the proposed structure is suitable to adapt installed fixed speed wind turbines, adding a back-to-back power converter to inject the power to the grid. Furthermore, other generation technologies, such as tidal, wave or hydro based on induction generators can adopt the proposed concept. The key advantages of the concept include:

• Reduced number of power converters
• Cost reduction
• Reliability, availability and maintainability improvement
• Robust system with and without communications
• Grid code compliance including fault ride-through
• Possibility of removing the wind turbine transforme

Fase actual de desenvolupament/Current stage of development

Energy capture analysis have been conducted. A detailed procedure to calculate the optimum frequency have been developed. Steady-state and dynamic models have been created. A detailed control scheme have been developed and validated by means of dynamic simulations and grid code compliance studies using specialized software packages.

Aplicacions i mercat objectiu/Applications and target market