IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,385,469
Granted Patent B2
US 12,385,469 · App. 18/362,070 · Granted Aug 12, 2025

Methods for fast power ramp up, controllers and wind turbines

Inventors: Christoph Schulten (Salzbergen, DE); Nithya Anand (Bengaluru, IN); Miriam Monros Garrigosa (Barcelona, ES); Marta Lopez Gonzalez (Barcelona, ES)
Assignee: GE Vernova Renovables Espana, S.L.
F03D7/042F05B2200/11F05B2220/706F05B2270/335
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,385,469
App. No.
18/362,070
Granted
Aug 12, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods ( 100, 200 ) for ramping up the power output of a wind turbine ( 10 ). A method ( 100 ) comprises increasing ( 110 ) electric power output from an initial power value ( 61 ) at a first power ramp rate ( 63 ); and when reaching an intermediate power value ( 69 ), increasing ( 120 ) the electric power output to a target power value ( 59 ) at a second power ramp rate ( 67 ) different from the first power ramp rate ( 63 ). The intermediate power value ( 69 ) is the sum of the initial power value ( 61 ) and a predetermined power difference ( 71 ).

Claims (27)

1. A method for operating a wind turbine, the method comprising:

increasing electric power output of the wind turbine from an initial power value at a first power ramp rate;

when reaching an intermediate power value, increasing the electric power output to a target power value at a second power ramp rate that is different from the first power ramp rate;

wherein the intermediate power value is the sum of the initial power value and a predetermined power difference; and

wherein the predetermined power difference is a predefined percentage of the target power value that is determined prior to the step of increasing electric power output of the wind turbine at the first power ramp up rate.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predefined percentage is between 30% and 70%.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first power ramp rate or the second power ramp rate is a predefined power ramp rate.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second power ramp rate is lower than the first power ramp rate.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein while increasing the electric power output from the initial power value to the target power value, a power output limit is determined as a product of a prevailing wind turbine rotor speed value and a maximum torque value.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein while increasing the electric power output from the initial power value to the target power value, one or more controller gains for power or one or more controller gains for generator torque is different from respective corresponding controller gains during normal operation.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein a first set of controller gains for power and generator torque is provided for the power ramp up at the first power ramp rate and a second different set of controller gains is provided for the power ramp up at the second power ramp rate.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising refraining from performing oscillation damping actions while increasing the electric power output from the initial power value to the target power value.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein a rotor speed setpoint is kept at or above a minimum rotor speed threshold before increasing the electric power output from the initial power value.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein an external power request of the target power value is received by a controller configured to control the wind turbine.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting an end of an electrical grid event.

12. A controller for operation of a wind turbine, comprising:

a communications module;

a processor;

a memory, wherein the memory comprises instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute the method of claim 1 for operating the wind turbine.

13. The controller of claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to change a control mode during power ramp up when a pitch setpoint value equals a minimum optimum pitch value and when the wind turbine rotor speed is decreasing.

14. A wind turbine, comprising:

a wind turbine rotor including a plurality of wind turbine blades;

a generator;

a controller, the controller further comprising:

a communications module;

a processor;

a memory, wherein the memory comprises instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute the method of claim 1 for operating the wind turbine.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 22, 2025
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC RENOVABLES ESPANA, S.L.
To: GE VERNOVA RENOVABLES ESPANA, S.L.
Reel/Frame 072130/0070 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2023
From: SCHULTEN, CHRISTOPH; ANAND, NITHYA; MONROS GARRIGOSA, MIRIAM; LOPEZ GONZALEZ, MARTA
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC RENOVABLES ESPANA, S.L.
Reel/Frame 064432/0887 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 22382744 · Aug 1, 2022 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240035444A1 · Feb 1, 2024
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