Monitoring of wind turbine generator systems

01.11.2010 - 31.07.2012
Forschungsförderungsprojekt
In the past years renewable energy sources like wind energy have gained much attention due to global warming and the scheduled reduction of CO2 emissions. To keep the efficiency of the energy conversion process of wind turbines at or near its optimum value all system components have to be continuously monitored. The most critical and vulnerable components are the gearbox as well as different generator components like windings or bearings. On-line fault detection of inverter controlled generators and mechanical components are usually based on special sensor systems and evaluation instruments which makes these systems expensive and thus usually not profitable in wind turbines. The classical approaches of online condition monitoring methods like current signature analysis are not applicable as the dynamic operation, pulse width modulation and the switching transients of the power electronics devices add additional harmonics and measurement noise to all sensor signals. In the proposed project the operation of wind turbines will be investigated to identify possible fault indicators based only on the sensors already available in the power inverter. The research will cover the whole electrical power conversion process: from the control algorithms for optimal adaptation to dynamic changing wind speeds to considerations on how the system energy efficiency is reduced by emerging fault conditions of different components and to a practical verification of the detection system on a reduced scale generator system. The project objectives are thus: (1) To research and develop a wind turbine generator monitoring system based on commercially available measurements of state variables. (2) To research and develop a fault-tolerant extension of the wind turbine control system, that in case of identified faults adapts control actions to (i) protect the generator and other wind turbine components, and (ii) to keep the electrical energy production optimal under emergency circumstances.

Personen

Projektleiter_in

Projektmitarbeiter_innen

Institut

Grant funds

  • European Commission (EU) Other EU Research Initiative European Commission Call identifier SEEERAPLUS Application number 80

Forschungsschwerpunkte

  • Climate Neutral, Renewable and Conventional Energy Supply Systems: 100%

Schlagwörter

DeutschEnglisch
Zustandsüberwachungmonitoring
WindgeneratorWind generator
FehlererkennungMonitoring

Publikationen