JP2017110609A - Assist control device for wind power generation - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an assist control device for wind power generation capable of increasing a rotational frequency early in assist operation, and capable of suppressing power consumption in the assist operation.SOLUTION: An assist control device 2 includes a dynamo 3 configured to generate power in rotation of a wind mill 100, a rotational frequency sensor 7 (rotational frequency detection unit) configured to detect a rotational frequency of the wind mill 100, and a control unit 10. The control unit 10, when the rotational frequency detected by the rotational frequency sensor 7 changes from a state of exceeding a predetermined reference value larger than 0 to state of being equal to or less than the predetermined value, performs assist control for driving the dynamo 3 as an electric motor with power from a power storage unit or external power source to impart rotational force to the wind mill 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an assist control device for wind power generation.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a windmill start assist control device in a wind turbine generator. This start assist control device is intended to improve startability from a windmill stop state, and includes start assist control means 14 and a start assist current supply system 22. The start assist control means 14 turns on the start assist current supply system 22 when the windmill is in a non-rotating state for a certain time or more, and when the windmill rotates at a certain rotation speed or more by wind power, the start assist current supply system 22. Control to turn off. When the activation assist current supply system 22 is switched to the ON state by the activation assist control means 14, the activation assist current supply system 22 generates a magnetic torque so as to cancel the cogging torque generated in the generator 2.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-28591

  However, since the start assist control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a device that starts assist only when the windmill is completely stopped, even if the wind speed increases, the rotational speed N of the windmill is the power generation start rotation. There is a problem that it takes time to reach the number N2. In addition, since the assist is performed only when the windmill is completely stopped, a large magnetic torque is required at the start of all assists, and the assisting time becomes longer, which may increase power consumption.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is capable of increasing the number of revolutions earlier during the assist operation, and capable of suppressing the power consumption during the assist operation. Providing is an issue to be solved.

The present invention comprises a generator for generating electricity when a windmill rotates,
A rotational speed detector for detecting the rotational speed of the windmill;
When the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed detection unit changes from a state exceeding a predetermined reference value greater than 0 to the reference value or less, the power generator is used to use the power from the power storage unit or an external power source. A control unit that performs assist control to drive the motor as a motor and apply rotational force to the windmill;
Have

  The assist control device according to the present invention can drive the generator as an electric motor before the rotation of the windmill is completely stopped, and can apply a rotational force to the windmill. According to this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the assist control is performed in a state where the rotational force of the windmill is completely lost, it is easy to increase the rotational speed to a desired rotational speed in a shorter time, and the power generation efficiency can be further increased. . Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the assist control is performed in a state where the rotational force of the windmill is completely lost, the driving torque necessary for rotating the windmill is further suppressed, and the power consumption during the assist control is further reduced. Can do.

It is a block diagram which shows roughly the wind power generator provided with the assist control apparatus of Example 1. FIG. It is a circuit diagram which concretely shows the wind power generator of FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of switching processing executed by the assist control device according to the first embodiment. 6 is a graph illustrating an example of a relationship between elapsed time and rotation speed in the assist control device according to the first embodiment.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the present invention, the control unit may be configured to stop the assist control when the rotation number detected by the rotation number detection unit after the start of the assist control reaches a predetermined target value larger than a reference value.

  According to this structure, when the rotation speed of a windmill falls, rotation speed can be reliably raised to target value by assist control, before rotation stops completely.

  In the present invention, the control unit determines a predetermined release condition when the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detection unit does not reach the power generation start rotation speed that is the start condition of the power generation control even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the predetermined start time. It may be configured to maintain a state where the assist control is not performed until the above is established.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption caused by the assist control by repeating the assist control many times without starting the power generation control.

  In the present invention, the controller cancels the predetermined release condition when the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed detector does not reach the power generation start rotational speed that is the power generation control start condition even if the assist control is performed a plurality of times. The configuration may be such that the assist control is not performed until it is established.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption caused by the assist control by repeating the assist control many times without starting the power generation control.

  The present invention may include a wind speed detection unit that detects a wind speed. And a structure which cancels | releases the state which does not perform assist control may be sufficient as a control part, when the wind speed detected by a wind speed detection part becomes more than predetermined value larger than 0.

  According to this configuration, after switching to a state where the assist control is not performed (end state) and suppressing power consumption at a time when the possibility of reaching the power generation start rotational speed is low, the wind speed increases to a predetermined value and power generation starts. The end state can be canceled at a time when the possibility of reaching the rotational speed has increased. Such control can further increase power generation efficiency.

  In the present invention, the control unit may be configured to perform assist control using electric power from the power storage unit. And the structure which stops assist control may be sufficient when the electrical storage residual amount of an electrical storage part is less than the regulation residual amount.

  According to this configuration, the power consumption of the power storage unit due to the assist control can be suppressed when the remaining power storage amount of the power storage unit is in a lowered state. As a result, for example, it is possible to prioritize charging of the power storage unit when the remaining amount of power stored in the power storage unit is in a reduced state, or to preferentially use the power supplied by the power storage unit other than assist control. .

<Example 1>
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a wind turbine generator 1 using an assist control device 2 according to the first embodiment. 1 mainly includes a windmill 100, a generator 3, a rectifying / boosting unit 20, an electric brake unit 30, a step-down unit 40, a battery 60, and the like. The wind power generator 1 is configured as a device that generates power by the generator 3 when the windmill 100 rotates and converts the power into a desired output, and then charges the battery 60 and outputs from the external output terminal 62. . And the assist control apparatus 2 is comprised by the generator 3, the rotation speed sensor 7, the wind speed sensor 9, the control part 10, etc., and is comprised as an apparatus which controls the electric power generation operation and assist operation which are performed with the wind power generator 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the windmill 100 is configured as, for example, a vertical axis type windmill, and a straight blade vertical axis windmill in which a plurality of straight blades are connected so as to be integrally rotatable around a rotating shaft extending in the vertical direction. It is constituted by. In addition, the example shown here is an example to the last, and well-known various windmills can be used.

  The generator 3 is configured as, for example, a three-phase AC generator, a rotor that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the windmill 100, and a stator that is wound in the vicinity of the rotor while being wound with a stator winding. Is provided. For example, the generator 3 is configured such that the rotor is connected to the rotating shaft of the windmill 100 and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft, and the three-phase AC is passed through the conductive paths 74, 75, and 76 of each phase when the rotor rotates. Is configured to occur.

  The rectifier / boost unit 20 is a circuit that operates as a boost chopper circuit when the generator 3 performs a power generation operation, and operates as an inverter when the generator 3 operates as an electric motor.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rectifying / boosting unit 20 includes a pair of switch elements Sa1 connected to the coils L1, L2, L3 and the coil L1 provided in the conductive paths 74, 75, 76 of the respective phases of the generator 3. , Sb1, a pair of switch elements Sa2, Sb2 connected to the coil L2, and a pair of semiconductor switch elements Sa3, Sb3 connected to the coil L3. The switch elements Sa1, Sb1, Sa2, Sb2, Sa3, and Sb3 are configured by semiconductor switch elements such as IGBTs, for example, and drive signals from the drive unit 14 are individually input to the respective gates.

  The rectifying / boosting unit 20 configured in this manner functions to convert an AC voltage generated in the generator 3 into a DC voltage and boost and output the input power during power generation control. The rectifying / boosting unit 20 converts the supplied DC power (for example, DC power supplied from the external power supply 130) into three-phase AC and supplies the generator 3 with the three-phase AC power during assist control. Thus, the generator 3 functions as an electric motor. Note that the power supplied during assist control may be power from the battery 60.

  The electric brake unit 30 is a part for consuming part of the output power output from the rectifying / boosting unit 20. The electric brake unit 30 includes a resistor 34, a diode 36, a switch element 32, and the like. The switch element 32 is configured by a semiconductor switch element such as an IGBT, and is turned on / off by a control signal from the drive unit 15. In the electric brake unit 30, a resistor 34 and a switch element 32 are connected in series between the conductive path 71 and the conductive path 72, and a current flows through the resistor 34 in accordance with the ON operation of the switch element 32. It functions to consume part of the output power. The PWM signal output from the drive unit 15 is input to the gate of the switch element 32, and the power consumption in the electric brake unit 30 is controlled by the duty of the PWM signal.

  The capacitor 50 is connected between the conductive path 71 and the conductive path 72. The capacitor 50 has a function of smoothing the input current input to the step-down unit 40.

  The step-down unit 40 is configured as a known step-down converter, and includes a switching element 42 that turns on and off the conduction path 71, a coil 48, and a capacitor 46. The switch element 42 is configured by a MOSFET or the like, for example, and is configured to be turned on / off according to the PWM signal from the drive unit 16.

  The battery 60 is configured as a known secondary battery, for example, and functions as a power source for driving various loads constituting the wind power generator 1. Although not shown, the wind turbine generator 1 is provided with a power supply circuit that generates a plurality of power supply voltages based on the power from the battery 60. For example, the control unit 10 is generated by the power supply circuit. A power supply voltage is applied. A switch 61 is provided between the positive terminal of the battery 60 and the output-side conductive path 81, and on / off of the switch 61 is controlled by the control unit 10.

  The rotation speed sensor 7 corresponds to an example of a rotation speed detection unit that detects the rotation speed of the windmill 100. The rotational speed sensor 7 may be any sensor that can detect the rotational speed (rotational speed) of the rotating shaft of the windmill 100, and various known rotational speed sensors can be used. The control unit 10 acquires the output value from the rotational speed sensor 7 and grasps the rotational speed of the windmill 100.

  The wind speed sensor 9 is configured by a known wind speed sensor. The wind speed sensor 9 is attached to a predetermined position (for example, a part other than the rotor blades) of the windmill 100, and outputs a value indicating the wind speed at the position where the wind speed sensor 9 is attached. The control unit 10 acquires an output value (detected value) from the wind speed sensor 9 and grasps the wind speed near the windmill.

  The control unit 10 includes, for example, a control circuit 12 formed of a microcomputer, a storage unit 18 formed of ROM, RAM, and the like, and a plurality of drive units 14, 15, 16 that output control signals. In addition to the output values from the rotation speed sensor 7 and the wind speed sensor 9, various detection values are input to the control unit 10. For example, the detection unit 91 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a current sensor and a voltage sensor, and an output current and an output voltage output from the rectification / boost unit 20 are detected by the detection unit 91 and input to the control unit 10. The detection unit 92 includes a current sensor and a voltage sensor, and the output current and output voltage output from the step-down unit 40 are detected by the detection unit 92 and input to the control unit 10.

  The output terminal 62 of the wind power generator 1 can be connected to the input terminal of the storage battery system 120, for example. The storage battery system 120 includes a control circuit that performs MPPT control that takes power from an input terminal 122 and tracks output power to the maximum power, and a storage battery that performs charging using output power from the control circuit.

  The wind turbine generator 1 configured as described above converts and outputs the electric power obtained by the power generation of the generator 3 when the windmill 100 is rotated by receiving wind power and the control unit 10 is performing power generation control. To do. On the other hand, when the rotation speed of the windmill 100 is reduced, the control unit 10 performs assist control and drives the generator 3 as an electric motor. During the assist control, the control unit 10 stops the power generation control. Specific control by the control unit 10 will be described later.

Next, switching control performed in the wind power generator 1 will be described.
The control unit 10 executes the switching control shown in FIG. 3 when the power supply voltage is input and the operation starts. The switching control shown in FIG. 3 is control for switching between execution and stop of assist control for assisting rotation of the windmill 100.

  After starting the switching control shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 10 first determines whether or not the assist start condition is satisfied (S1). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 9 is equal to or higher than a predetermined wind speed value (assist start wind speed), and if the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 9 is equal to or higher than the predetermined wind speed value, S1. It is judged as Yes. Note that while the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 9 is less than the predetermined wind speed value, the determination of No is repeated in S1, and during this time, the standby state is set.

  The control part 10 starts assist control, when it determines Yes in S1 (S2). When starting the assist control in S2, the control unit 10 drives the generator 3 as an electric motor using DC power from the outside (for example, DC power from the external power supply 130), and gives the windmill 100 a rotational force. Control (assist control) is performed.

  The rectifier / boost unit 20 is a well-known inverter circuit as described above, and the control unit 10 operates the switching elements Sa1, Sb1, Sa2, Sb2, Sa3, Sb3 when the generator 3 is operated as an electric motor. By performing switching control of the gate, the rectification / boost unit 20 is operated as an inverter circuit, the DC power supplied from the external power supply 130 is converted into three-phase AC, and the three-phase AC power is supplied to the generator 3. Thus, by supplying three-phase AC power to the generator 3, the rotor of the generator 3 is rotationally driven. When a rotational force is applied to the windmill 100 by such rotational driving of the generator 3, the rotational speed (the number of rotations) of the windmill 100 gradually increases.

  The control unit 10 continues the assist control (rotation driving of the windmill 100) executed in S2 until the rotational speed of the windmill 100 becomes equal to or higher than the target value (target rotational speed), and the rotational speed of the windmill 100 is the target value ( The determination of No is repeated in S3 until the target rotational speed) is reached. After the assist control is started in S2, when the rotational speed of the windmill 100 becomes equal to or higher than the target value (target rotational speed N2), the control unit 10 determines Yes in S3 and stops the assist control (S4). ). The rotational speed of the windmill 100 used in the switching control of FIG. 3 is the rotational speed of the windmill 100 specified by the detection value of the rotational speed sensor 7 shown in FIG.

  After stopping the assist control in S4, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the rotational speed of the windmill 100 is equal to or lower than the lower limit rotational speed N1. The lower limit rotational speed N1 corresponds to an example of a reference value, and is a value larger than 0 and smaller than the target rotational speed N2. When the rotational speed of the windmill 100 exceeds the lower limit rotational speed N1, the control unit 10 determines No in S5, and when the rotational speed of the windmill 100 is equal to or lower than the lower limit rotational speed N1, Yes in S5. Judge.

  When it is determined No in S5, the control unit 10 determines whether the rotational speed of the windmill 100 is equal to or higher than the power generation start rotational speed N3 (S6). When the rotational speed of the windmill 100 is equal to or higher than the power generation start rotational speed N3, the control unit 10 starts power generation control (S7).

  When it is determined Yes in S6, the control unit 10 starts power generation control, operates the power generator 3 as a “generator”, converts the generated power, and outputs the power (S7). When performing power generation control, the control unit 10 outputs a control signal to each of the switch elements Sa1, Sb1, Sa2, Sb2, Sa3, and Sb3, and operates the rectification / boost unit 20 as a three-phase boost chopper circuit. When the rectifying / boosting unit 20 is operated as a three-phase boosting chopper circuit, the control unit 10 sets the MPPT (MPPT) so that the output power from the rectifying / boosting unit 20 becomes the maximum power determined according to the rotation speed of the windmill 100. (Maximum Power Point Tracking) control. Further, the control unit 10 operates the electric brake unit 30 and the step-down unit 40 to output DC power output by the MPPT control in the rectification / step-up unit 20 with a predetermined characteristic simulating the characteristic of the solar cell. The power output from the step-down unit 40 can be output from the output terminal 62 and can be used for charging the battery 60.

  The control unit 10 stops the power generation control started in S7 when a predetermined end condition is satisfied. For example, the power generation control may be stopped when the rotation speed of the windmill 100 is less than the power generation start rotation speed N3. In this case, after the power generation control is stopped, the process may return to the determination process of S5.

  If the control unit 10 determines Yes in S5, it resumes the assist control described above (S8). The control unit 10 also drives the generator 3 as an electric motor by using DC power from the outside (for example, DC power from the external power supply 130) and gives rotational force to the windmill 100 even when executing assist control in S8. Take control. The control unit 10 continues the assist control (rotation driving of the windmill 100) resumed in S8 until the rotational speed of the windmill 100 becomes equal to or higher than the target value (target rotational speed N2). The determination of No is repeated in S9 until the rotation speed becomes equal to or greater than the target value (target rotation speed N2). After resuming the assist control in S8, the control unit 10 determines Yes in S9 when the rotational speed of the windmill 100 becomes equal to or higher than the target value (target rotational speed N2), and stops the assist control (S10). ).

  After stopping the assist control in S10, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the rotational speed of the windmill 100 is equal to or lower than the lower limit rotational speed N1 (reference value) described above (S11). If the rotational speed of the windmill 100 exceeds the lower limit rotational speed N1, it is determined No in S11, and in this case, the process returns to the determination process in S6. On the other hand, if the rotational speed of the windmill 100 is equal to or lower than the lower limit rotational speed N1, it is determined Yes in S11.

  When the process proceeds to Yes in S11, it is determined whether or not the continuous number of times has reached the threshold value N with reference to the continuous number of times that the rotational speed of the windmill 100 has become equal to or less than the lower limit rotational number (reference value). In this configuration, for example, the number of times determined to be Yes in S5 and S11 is counted, and this count value is determined to be Yes in S6 (that is, when power generation control is started), or Yes in S1. It is reset when traveling (that is, when the assist end state is canceled). The count value is a value obtained by adding 1 to the continuous number of times that the assist control is repeated without stopping the power generation control after the stop of the assist control in S4. If the threshold value N has been reached, Yes is determined in S12, and the assist control is terminated (S14). In other words, even if the assist control executed when the rotation speed is equal to or lower than the lower limit rotation speed is performed a predetermined number of times (N-1 times), the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor 7 is the power generation start rotation that is the start condition of the power generation control. If the number N3 is not reached, the assist control is terminated in S14. Even if the count value (number of consecutive times) does not reach the threshold value N, if the average wind speed for one minute is equal to or less than the threshold wind speed V, it is determined Yes in S13, and the assist control is terminated ( S14). In this configuration, the wind speed is detected at a predetermined sampling interval, and the average wind speed for one minute (the average value of the wind speed values obtained at the predetermined sampling interval for one minute) is constantly calculated every predetermined short time. doing. Then, the average wind speed for 1 minute in S13 is a period when the number of rotations is equal to or less than the lower limit number of rotations and the time when the number of rotations reaches a predetermined number of times (that is, from the point when the number of rotations is 1 minute). The average wind speed for 1 minute until the detection timing.

  The “assist control end state” is a state in which the assist control of the wind turbine 100 is not performed until a predetermined release condition is satisfied, and specifically, until it is determined Yes in S1 (that is, by the wind speed sensor 9). Until the detected wind speed becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined wind speed value (assist start wind speed), the state where the assist control of the wind turbine 100 is not performed is maintained.

  If the control unit 10 determines in S12 that the count value (number of consecutive times) has not reached the threshold value N and determines in S13 that the average wind speed for one minute is not less than or equal to the threshold wind speed V, the process returns to S8. The assist control is resumed, and the processes after S8 are performed again.

  FIG. 4 illustrates the change in the rotational speed of the windmill when the switching control as shown in FIG. 3 is performed. For example, when the wind speed becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value (assist start wind speed) at time t1 after the power is turned on, the rotational speed of the windmill 100 is increased to the target rotational speed N2 by the assist control in S2 (FIG. 3). The assist control stops at time t2 when the target rotational speed N2 is reached. After the time t2, when the rotational speed of the wind turbine 100 reaches the power generation start rotational speed N3 while continuing to exceed the lower limit rotational speed N1, the power generation control of S7 (FIG. 3) is executed from the reached time t3. After the time t3 when the power generation start rotational speed N3 is reached, when the rotational speed of the windmill 100 becomes equal to or lower than the lower limit rotational speed N1, the assist control is performed from time t4 when the rotational speed becomes lower than the lower limit rotational speed N1 to S8 (FIG. 3). Is resumed and is increased to the target rotational speed N2 by the assist control. Although not shown, when the assist control is repeated a predetermined number of times without performing the power generation control after the execution of the first assist control, the “assist control end state” is set.

  As described above, the assist control device 2 of the present configuration is in a state where the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor 7 (rotation speed detection unit) exceeds a predetermined reference value (lower limit rotation speed N1) greater than 0. When the value changes below the reference value, the control unit 10 drives the generator 3 as an electric motor using electric power from an external power source or a power storage unit, and performs assist control so as to apply a rotational force to the windmill 100 (S8). . That is, the assist control device 2 can drive the generator 3 as an electric motor before the rotation of the windmill 100 is completely stopped to give a rotational force to the windmill 100.

  According to this configuration, compared to the configuration in which the assist control is performed in a state where the rotational force of the windmill 100 is completely lost, it is easier to increase the desired rotational speed in a shorter time, and the power generation efficiency can be further increased. it can. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the assist control is performed in a state where the rotational force of the windmill 100 is completely lost, the driving torque necessary for rotating the windmill 100 is further suppressed, and the power consumption during the assist control is further reduced. can do.

  Then, the control unit 10 starts the assist control in S8, and the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor 7 (the rotation speed detection section) is a predetermined target value (target rotation speed) larger than the reference value (lower limit rotation speed N1). When the number N2) is reached, the assist control is stopped in S10. According to this configuration, when the rotation speed of the windmill 100 is reduced, the rotation speed can be reliably increased to the target value by the assist control before the rotation is completely stopped.

  Further, when the control unit 10 performs the assist control a predetermined number of times, the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed sensor 7 (the rotational speed detection unit) does not reach the power generation start rotational speed N3 that is the power generation control start condition. The state where the assist control is not performed is maintained until a predetermined release condition is satisfied. According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption due to the assist control being repeated many times without starting the power generation control.

  The assist control device 2 includes a wind speed sensor 9 (wind speed detection unit) that detects the wind speed. Then, the control unit 10 sets the assist control end state (a state in which the assist control is not performed) in S14 of FIG. 3, and then the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 9 is a predetermined value (assist start wind speed) greater than 0. In this case, the end state of the assist control is canceled. According to this configuration, after switching to a state where the assist control is not performed (end state) and suppressing power consumption at a time when the possibility of reaching the power generation start rotational speed N3 is low, the wind speed increases to a predetermined value and power generation is performed. The end state can be canceled at a time when the possibility of reaching the start rotational speed N3 is increased. Such control can further increase power generation efficiency.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) Although the vertical axis type windmill was illustrated as the windmill 100 in Example 1, a horizontal axis type windmill may be used. Any wind turbine that can directly or indirectly give a driving force to the rotor of the generator 3 can be applied to any known wind turbine.
(2) Even if a part of the switching control of FIG. 3 of the first embodiment is changed or in addition to the switching control of FIG. Good. Specifically, the control unit 10 determines the power generation start rotation speed N3 in which the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor 7 (rotation speed detection section) is a start condition for power generation control even after a predetermined time has elapsed from a predetermined start time. If not reached, the “state in which the assist control is not performed” may be maintained until a predetermined release condition is satisfied. Specifically, for example, a process is added to the switching control of FIG. 3, and the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed sensor 7 (the rotational speed detection unit) starts generating power even after a certain time has elapsed since the start of the most recent assist control. When the rotational speed N3 is not reached, the process may proceed to S14. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, after the assist control is started at time t6, the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor 7 (the rotation speed detection unit) is generated even if the predetermined time Ta has elapsed from the start time t6. If the start rotational speed N3 is not reached, the assist control may be terminated at a time t8 when a certain time Ta has elapsed. Alternatively, a process is added to the switching control in FIG. 3, and the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor 7 (the rotation speed detection unit) becomes the power generation start rotation speed N3 even if a predetermined time has elapsed since the most recent assist control stop time. If not, the process may proceed to S14. Alternatively, even if a certain period of time elapses after the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor 7 (rotation speed detection unit) finally falls below the power generation start rotation speed N3, it is detected by the rotation speed sensor 7 (rotation speed detection unit). If the rotation speed does not reach the power generation start rotation speed N3, the process may proceed to S14.
According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption caused by the assist control by repeating the assist control many times without starting the power generation control.
(3) In any of the configurations of the embodiments, the control unit 10 can perform assist control using electric power from the battery 60 (power storage unit). In this case, the remaining amount of energy stored in the battery 60 (power storage unit) (energy capacity remaining in the battery) is detected by a known battery level sensor, and the control unit 10 is configured to detect the remaining power stored in the battery 60 (power storage unit). If the amount is below the specified remaining amount, the assist control may be stopped. For example, when the remaining amount of power stored in the battery 60 (power storage unit) is equal to or greater than the specified remaining amount, the same switching control as in any of the above-described embodiments is performed, and the remaining power stored in the battery 60 (power storage unit) is specified. S7 (FIG. 3) when the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed sensor 7 (the rotational speed detection unit) reaches the power generation start rotational speed N3 without performing the switching control. The power generation control is performed in the same manner as described above. If the power generation control has not been reached, the power generation control is not performed.
According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress power consumption of the battery 60 resulting from the assist control when the remaining amount of power stored in the battery 60 (power storage unit) is in a lowered state. Thereby, for example, when the remaining amount of power stored in the battery 60 is in a lowered state, it is possible to suppress the discharge of the battery 60 due to the assist control and to prioritize charging. In addition, the power supplied by the battery 60 can be preferentially used in addition to assist control.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Wind power generator 2 ... Assist control apparatus 3 ... Generator 7 ... Rotation speed sensor (rotation speed detection part)
9 ... Wind speed sensor (wind speed detector)
10. Control unit 100 ... Windmill

Claims (6)

A generator that generates electricity when the windmill rotates,
A rotational speed detector for detecting the rotational speed of the windmill;
When the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed detection unit changes from a state exceeding a predetermined reference value greater than 0 to the reference value or less, the power generator is used to use the power from the power storage unit or an external power source. A control unit that performs assist control to drive the motor as a motor and apply rotational force to the windmill;
Assist control device for wind power generation.   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops the assist control when the rotation number detected by the rotation number detection unit after the start of the assist control reaches a predetermined target value larger than the reference value. Assist control device for wind power generation.   The controller releases a predetermined release condition if the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detector does not reach the power generation start rotation speed, which is a power generation control start condition, even after a predetermined time has elapsed from a predetermined start time. The assist control device for wind power generation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a state in which the assist control is not performed is maintained until it is performed.   If the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed detection unit does not reach the power generation start rotational speed that is the power generation control start condition even if the assist control is performed a plurality of predetermined times, a predetermined release condition is satisfied. The assist control device for wind power generation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a state in which the assist control is not performed is maintained until it is performed. It has a wind speed detector that detects the wind speed,
The said control part cancels | releases the state which does not perform the said assist control, when the wind speed detected by the said wind speed detection part becomes more than predetermined value larger than 0, The wind power generation of Claim 3 or 4 Assist control device.   The control unit is configured to perform the assist control using electric power from the power storage unit, and stops the assist control when a remaining power storage amount of the power storage unit is lower than a predetermined remaining amount. The assist control apparatus for wind power generation as described.

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