GB2561175A - Water current turbine energy converters - Google Patents

Water current turbine energy converters Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2561175A
GB2561175A GB1705331.5A GB201705331A GB2561175A GB 2561175 A GB2561175 A GB 2561175A GB 201705331 A GB201705331 A GB 201705331A GB 2561175 A GB2561175 A GB 2561175A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
operable
controller
energy converter
electrical power
output
Prior art date
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Withdrawn
Application number
GB1705331.5A
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GB201705331D0 (en
Inventor
Orven Gewnael
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tidal Generation Ltd
Original Assignee
Tidal Generation Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tidal Generation Ltd filed Critical Tidal Generation Ltd
Priority to GB1705331.5A priority Critical patent/GB2561175A/en
Publication of GB201705331D0 publication Critical patent/GB201705331D0/en
Priority to GB1805430.4A priority patent/GB2562617B/en
Publication of GB2561175A publication Critical patent/GB2561175A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
    • F03B13/264—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • F03B17/061—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially in flow direction
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
    • H02J3/38—Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
    • H02J3/381—Dispersed generators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2270/00—Control
    • F05B2270/10—Purpose of the control system
    • F05B2270/107—Purpose of the control system to cope with emergencies
    • F05B2270/1071—Purpose of the control system to cope with emergencies in particular sudden load loss
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J2300/00—Systems for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by decentralized, dispersed, or local generation
    • H02J2300/20—The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
    • H02J3/38—Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
    • H02J3/388—Islanding, i.e. disconnection of local power supply from the network
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Oceanography (AREA)
  • Control Of Water Turbines (AREA)
  • Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)

Abstract

A water current turbine energy converter comprises an energy conversion device supported by a support structure attached to a bed of a body of water. The energy conversion device includes electricity generating equipment 20 that converts rotation of a turbine 5 into output electrical power. A controller 30 is able to detect the loss of a grid voltage, and then shut down the energy converter, using energy from a UPS 32. Once the energy converter is shut down, the controller switches off or enters a low power mode. When a grid connection detector 50 detects that a grid connection has been restored, the UPS 32 switches on and supplies power to the controller 30, which starts up and initiates a restart of the energy converter.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Water current turbine energy converters
Abstract Title: Automatic grid disconnection and reconnection of water turbine (57) A water current turbine energy converter comprises an energy conversion device supported by a support structure attached to a bed of a body of water. The energy conversion device includes electricity generating equipment 20 that converts rotation of a turbine 5 into output electrical power. A controller 30 is able to detect the loss of a grid voltage, and then shut down the energy converter, using energy from a UPS 32. Once the energy converter is shut down, the controller switches off or enters a low power mode. When a grid connection detector 50 detects that a grid connection has been restored, the UPS 32 switches on and supplies power to the controller 30, which starts up and initiates a restart of the energy converter.
Figure GB2561175A_D0001
1/3
Figure GB2561175A_D0002
FIGURE 1
2/3
Figure GB2561175A_D0003
FIGURE 2
3/3
Figure GB2561175A_D0004
Figure GB2561175A_D0005
FIGURE 3
WATER CURRENT TURBINE ENERGY CONVERTERS
The present invention relates to water current turbine energy converters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water current energy converters are used to generate electrical energy from a water current. One particular example of a water current energy converter makes use of a turbine arrangements to drive a rotary generator. The electrical output of the rotary generator is supplied to an electricity grid, usually via some switchgear and a power export cable.
It is important that a water current energy converter is shut down if the electricity grid connection is lost, and so previously-considered designs of converter detect such a loss of connection and shut down to a safe condition. These previous designs, however, require further intervention, for example by use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), to be caused to restart manually.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a water current energy converter that addresses the drawbacks of the previously-considered designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water current turbine energy converter comprising a turbine unit including an output driveshaft which is preferably operable to convert water current flow into rotation of the output driveshaft. The water current turbine energy converter may comprise electricity generating equipment operable to convert such rotation of the output driveshaft into export electrical power, preferably wherein the electricity generating equipment comprises a controller operable to control operation of the electricity generating equipment. The water current turbine energy converter may comprise a power supply apparatus including an electricity storage device, and preferably operable to supply electrical power to the controller. The water current turbine energy converter may comprise a generator operable to generate electrical power from rotation of the output driveshaft. The water current turbine energy converter may comprise a transformer having a transformer input and primary and secondary transformer outputs, and preferably operable to transform electrical power received at the transformer output from the generator to output the export electrical power from the primary transformer output, and preferably to output secondary electrical power from the secondary transformer output to the power supply apparatus. That water current turbine energy converter may comprise an export cable for connecting the energy converter with an electricity grid connection. The water current turbine energy converter may comprise switchgear operable to connect the primary transformer output with the export cable. The water current turbine energy converter may comprise a grid connection detector operable to detect connection of an electricity grid connection to the switchgear, and preferably operable to provide a control signal to the power supply apparatus in dependence upon such detection. The power supply apparatus may be operable to supply electrical power to the controller upon receipt of such a control signal, thereby enabling the controller to effect start-up of the energy converter.
In one example, the controller is operable to shut down the converter upon detection of loss of such an electricity grid connection.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a water current turbine energy converter according to the first aspect. The method may comprise on or more of the steps of detecting loss of such an electricity grid connection; shutting down the energy converter; detecting reconnection of the electricity grid connection; issuing a start-up control signal to the power supply apparatus; in response to receipt of such a start-up control signal, preferably supplying electrical power from the power supply apparatus to the controller; and/or, using the controller and electrical power from the power supply apparatus, preferably effecting start-up of the energy converter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary water current energy converter installation;
Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a water current energy converter system embodying an aspect of the present invention; and
Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps in a method embodying another aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary water current turbine energy converter installation 1 which comprises a turbine energy converter device 2 io mounted on a support structure 3 fixed to a bed 4 of a body of water. In the example of Figure 1, the energy converter device 2 comprises a rotary turbine and a nacelle 6. The turbine 5 is driven to rotate by a water current 7. The turbine 5 rotates a driveshaft 8 that drives electricity generating equipment housed in the nacelle 6. The turbine 5 may be connected to the driveshaft 8 by a gearbox to ensure that an appropriate rotational speed is maintained for the electricity generating equipment.
In the example of Figure 1, the electricity generating equipment connects to a power export cable 9 which extends (in direction 10) to power export equipment which connects the energy converter device 2 to an electricity grid connection.
The electricity grid connection enables electrical power generated by the converter device to be exported to the electricity grid for use and/or storage. In the example device of Figure 1, the turbine 5 and nacelle 6 are able to turn with respect to the support structure 3 so that the turbine is able to face the oncoming flow 7. Such an arrangement is particularly suited for use in tidal flow applications.
Turbine water current energy converter devices and systems are well-known, and some examples may be found in UK Patents GB2448710, GB2497961 and
GB2856577, for example. It will be readily appreciated from the description below that the principles of the present invention may be applied to any suitable energy converter device.
Figure 2 illustrates, in schematic form, an energy converter device embodying aspects of the present invention. The example of Figure 2 uses the turbine 5 and driveshaft 8 of the Figure 1 example. It will be appreciated that any appropriate drive may be used in an example embodiment of the present invention.
The embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2 includes a generator 20 which is driven by the driveshaft 8 in known manner to convert the io rotational kinetic energy of the rotating driveshaft 8 into electrical energy 21.
The electrical energy 21 is supplied to a converter 22 which operates to convert the electrical energy to provide a converted electrical output 23 having appropriate frequency and voltage characteristics.
The converted electrical output 23 is supplied to an electrical transformer 24 15 which operates in known manner to transform the voltage of the converted electrical output 23 to a set of different electrical output power signals. The main electrical output 25 of the transformer 24 is supplied to switchgear 26 for supply as electrical power export 27 for connection to the export cable 9 and to the electrical grid. The switchgear 26 is also able to provide power from the grid connection to the transformer 24 via a reverse connection 28. The reverse connection 28 may be used for magnetisation and/or synchronisation of the transformer 24.
The embodiment of Figure 2 also includes a controller 30 which operates to control the various devices and systems of the energy converter device, as will be described in more detail below. The transformer 24 provides a power supply 31 to the controller during operation of the energy converter device.
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 32 is included in order to provide the controller 30 (and other components) with electrical power in the event of a loss of power from the transformer 24. The UPS 32 includes control circuitry and at least one electrical storage device such as a battery. The electrical storage device of the UPS 32 is provided with electrical energy 33 by the transformer 24 during normal operation of the energy converter device. The UPS is operable to detect failure of the power supply from the transformer 24 and is operable to provide electrical energy 34 to the controller 30. In another example, the power supply to the controller 30 is always routed through the UPS 32 to ensure continual operation of the controller 30.
The converter device may be provided with an external connection 36 which allows an external device, such as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to io connect to the controller 30 to provide external control of the converter device.
The controller 30 is operable to measure and control all aspects of the operation of the converter device. In the example of a turbine, the controller 30 is operable to control the operating characteristics of the turbine 5, for example using a turbine control signal 38 to measure and control the pitch of turbine blades of the turbine 5. A generator control signal 39 may be used to measure and control the generator 22, for example, to control the generator speed.
The controller 30 measures and controls the electrical converter 22, transformer and switchgear 26 using a converter control signal 40, a transformer control signal 41 and a switchgear control signal 42 respectively.
The controller 30 is programmed to control the components of the converter device such that, in normal operation, the electrical power output to the export connection meets requirements such as voltage and frequency.
It is possible that the connection to the grid via the export cable may be lost. In such a case, it is important that the converter device shuts down and stops generating electrical energy. The controller 30 detects the absence of a grid connection to the switchgear 26, and operates to shut down the converter. For example, the turbine may have its blades pitched to a neutral position, and be braked to a stop to prevent rotation of the driveshaft and generator, thereby stopping electricity generation. The switchgear 26 may be controlled to disconnect the converter electrically from the export cable. At this point, the UPS 32 provides power to the controller 30, since the transformer 24 is no longer able to do so. Once the converter device has been shut down an placed in a safe condition, the controller is able to enter a low power standby mode, or can be shut down itself.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a grid connection detector 50 is provided in the device. The detector 50 may be provided by a discrete detection device, by existing components, or by a combination of such.
The connection detector 50 is connected via a connection 51 with the switch io gear 26, and operates to detect when the grid connection is restored. Upon detection of the grid connection being restored, the detector 50 issues a control signal over a control connection 52 to the UPS 32. The UPS 32 responds to the receipt of the control signal by switching on and providing electrical power to the controller 30. The controller 30 is thereby moved out of the standby or shut down mode, and operates to move the converter device back to the normal operating mode of operation, generating electricity for export via the export connection.
This operation will now be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 3 and 4. At step 101, the converter device is operating normally, generating electricity that is exported to the grid connection. A grid connection loss is detected in step 102, resulting in a controlled shut down of the device at step
103. The device is then in a safe condition, step 104.
At some point in time after shutdown, the detector 50 detects reconnection of the grid connection (step 201), and then sends an appropriate control signal to the UPS 32 (step 202). The UPS 32 moves from a standby mode to an operational mode (step 203), and starts to supply electrical power to the controller 30 (step 204). The controller 30 then starts up and operates to restart the converter device using power from the UPS 32.
In such a manner, external power and control connections are not required for the restart of the converter device after loss of the grid connection.

Claims (3)

CLAIMS:
1. A water current turbine energy converter comprising:
a turbine unit including an output driveshaft, operable to convert water current flow into rotation of the output driveshaft;
electricity generating equipment operable to convert such rotation of the output driveshaft into export electrical power, wherein the electricity generating equipment comprises:
a controller operable to control operation of the electricity generating equipment;
a power supply apparatus including an electricity storage device, and operable to supply electrical power to the controller; a generator operable to generate electrical power from rotation of the output driveshaft;
a transformer having a transformer input and primary and secondary transformer outputs, and operable to transform electrical power received at the transformer output from the generator to output the export electrical power from the primary transformer output, and to output secondary electrical power from the secondary transformer output to the power supply apparatus; an export cable for connecting the energy converter with an electricity grid connection;
switchgear operable to connect the primary transformer output with the export cable; and a grid connection detector operable to detect connection of an electricity grid connection to the switchgear, and operable to provide a control signal to the power supply apparatus in dependence upon such detection, the power supply apparatus being operable to supply electrical power to the controller upon receipt of such a control signal, thereby enabling the controller to effect start-up of the energy converter.
2. An energy converter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to shut down the converter upon detection of loss of such an electricity grid connection.
3. A method of operating a water current turbine energy converter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of:
a. detecting loss of such an electricity grid connection;
b. shutting down the energy converter;
c. detecting reconnection of the electricity grid connection;
d. issuing a start-up control signal to the power supply apparatus;
e. in response to receipt of such a start-up control signal, supplying electrical power from the power supply apparatus to the controller;
f. using the controller and electrical power from the power supply apparatus, effecting start-up of the energy converter.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1705331.5 Examiner: Mr Peter Middleton
GB1705331.5A 2017-04-03 2017-04-03 Water current turbine energy converters Withdrawn GB2561175A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1705331.5A GB2561175A (en) 2017-04-03 2017-04-03 Water current turbine energy converters
GB1805430.4A GB2562617B (en) 2017-04-03 2018-04-03 Water current turbine energy converters

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GB1705331.5A GB2561175A (en) 2017-04-03 2017-04-03 Water current turbine energy converters

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GB2561175A true GB2561175A (en) 2018-10-10

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GB1805430.4A Active GB2562617B (en) 2017-04-03 2018-04-03 Water current turbine energy converters

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120038154A1 (en) * 2009-02-17 2012-02-16 Bittor Gurutz Lekerika Ugarte Method and apparatus for powering a wind turbine
US20150364949A1 (en) * 2012-07-23 2015-12-17 Jesper Nielsen Wind turbine generators

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120038154A1 (en) * 2009-02-17 2012-02-16 Bittor Gurutz Lekerika Ugarte Method and apparatus for powering a wind turbine
US20150364949A1 (en) * 2012-07-23 2015-12-17 Jesper Nielsen Wind turbine generators

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201805430D0 (en) 2018-05-16
GB2562617A (en) 2018-11-21
GB201705331D0 (en) 2017-05-17
GB2562617B (en) 2021-02-24

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