Researchers develop cell check platform for offshore wind generators – TechnoNews

Public energy grids are extremely complicated methods. Wind turbine producers must adjust to technical tips when connecting new generators to keep away from placing grid stability in danger. Within the Mobil-Grid-CoP challenge, researchers on the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Power Techniques IWES have developed a cell check platform that allows real looking checks to be carried out at full load, even on offshore wind generators out within the open. The know-how is helping within the means of validating and certifying generators and is supporting the transformation of the power provide with a view to utilizing extra renewable power sources.

Connecting wind generators to the general public energy grid is a big problem for producers. It is not sufficient to easily check the performance of latest generators, join them and put them into operation—in addition they must adjust to the restrict values for electrical properties specified within the relevant connection guidelines and compensate for dynamic occasions equivalent to quick circuits and frequency fluctuations. Producers solely obtain their unit certificates as soon as the complete vary of checks and certification procedures have been accomplished.

“It has to be done this way because power grids are highly complex systems, and each wind turbine has to help keep them stable,” says Gesa Quistorf, Group Supervisor Energy Electronics and Grid Integration on the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Power Techniques IWES in Bremerhaven.

As generators have gotten bigger in each output and measurement, nevertheless, they’re outgrowing the check methods that decide whether or not a brand new wind turbine or farm meets the related guidelines. That is notably true of huge offshore wind generators.

As a part of its analysis challenge entitled Mobil-Grid-CoP (a reputation that refers to a cell check facility for grid compliance checks), Fraunhofer IWES has developed a cell check bench that’s able to testing even very giant wind generators as much as an output of 28 megavolt-amperes (MVA). Because of this, producers can acquire their certification a lot sooner than earlier than.

A check system that emulates the general public grid

Because of the large development in offshore wind farms, the Fraunhofer researchers centered their efforts on giant offshore generators of their improvement work. The check bench is subsequently designed for the everyday offshore voltage stage of 66 kV, which means that even giant generators could be examined underneath real looking circumstances at full load.

“Our test system is a grid emulator that is switched between the public grid and the test object, simulating the electrical behavior of the power grid to the test object. The public grid is in no way compromised during this process,” explains Quistorf.

In the course of the check, the system examines properties such because the habits throughout frequency modifications, temporary modifications in voltage or grid faults equivalent to a brief circuit—all in actual time. For every occasion, the wind turbine has to reply inside milliseconds. Within the occasion of a brief circuit and a subsequent drop in voltage—from 66 kV to 0 kV, for instance—the turbine has to assist the grid with what is called reactive present. In contrast to energetic energy, reactive energy is just not usable energy that finally reaches the patron; as an alternative, it’s wanted to construct up the voltage within the grid.

A check bench in transportable giant containers

The check object solely receives its unit certificates and might solely be put into operation as soon as it has demonstrated all of the required specs, efficiency options and capabilities. The check bench is housed in giant containers which can be transported to the situation of the turbine prototypes.

Within the case of offshore wind generators, these are usually erected on the coast. The containers embody elements equivalent to transformers and converters. The Fraunhofer workforce makes use of commercially obtainable customary modules for the elements, with researchers taking up the duty of programming the check and evaluation software program.

Mobil-Grid-CoP gives a complete host of clear advantages for the wind power sector. It offers producers the choice to hold out strong, real looking and detailed checks on their prototypes to make sure they’re prepared for certification. This enables them to cut back the danger of getting to transform the generators earlier than placing them into operation and helps them get by means of the certification and commissioning course of sooner. The check bench additionally permits retrospective upgrades or modernization measures to be carried out on a turbine with ease.

At Fraunhofer IWES, the cell check facility can be mixed with different check benches as a part of infrastructure growth measures—all due to the ability’s versatile setup.

A check platform for the long run

In contrast with typical check methods, the Fraunhofer researchers are going one step additional with Mobil-Grid-CoP.

“Our aim is to develop a technology platform that facilitates scenario-based, flexible testing of wind turbines. Due to the rapid development in the transition to renewable energy, new connection rules that are unknown as yet could become valid in just a few years. With Mobil-Grid-CoP, we are prepared for this,” explains challenge supervisor Quistorf.

By means of its work, Fraunhofer IWES in Bremerhaven is taking part in a key position in accelerating the transition of power grids to renewable sources.