DC8: Reliable and Functional Electrical Systems for AWE

Objectives

The focus of DC8 is on improving reliability and functionality of the electrical (sub)systems of AWE – such as electrical machines, machine and grid side power converters and grid filters. By intelligent and real-time fault detection and diagnosis (FDD), fault-tolerant control and condition monitoring/predictive maintenance, their reliability and functional safety will be boosted to reduce the levelized costs of energy and to harvest as much energy as possible even under faults. By adding additional features such as grid-supporting, grid-forming or black start capabilities, the functionality of the electrical systems will meet future grid requirements for frequency and voltage stability in order to (i) allow for inertia emulation, (ii) to mimic virtual synchronous generators and (iii) to minimise power fluctuations. Moreover, external faults of the power grid such as short circuits, unbalanced loading or harmonic pollution affect the AWE in form of significant distortions (e.g., during grid synchronisation). Faults might lead to over-voltages or over-currents which risk (partial) destruction and proper operation and functionality, without adequate countermeasures and/or safety features. The DC will analyse the main faults, resulting failures and proper counter measures to achieve real-time FDD, reconfiguration, fault-tolerant control and condition monitoring strategies. Finally, to ensure optimal operation and to reduce power fluctuations, the different single AWE of an AWE farm must be considered, operated and controlled together in a distributed manner to be capable of contributing to grid stability.

Expected Results

(1) Improved reliability of electrical (sub)systems of AWE by intelligent and real-time fault detection and diagnosis (FDD), fault-tolerant control and condition monitoring/predictive maintenance; and (2) enhanced functionality of electrical (sub)systems of AWE such as grid-supporting, grid-forming or black start capabilities and inertia emulation or virtual synchronous generators.

Supervisory team

Christoph Hackl is main supervisor. Stephanie Uhrig and Roland Schmehl are co-supervisors.

Planned secondment

Kitekraft (M15-M21) To develop models based on real AWE, supervised by Florian Bauer.