JP7053733B2 - Wind power generation equipment and operation method of wind power generation equipment - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a wind power generation facility and an operation method of the wind power generation facility.

Conventionally, a wind power generation facility and its operation configured to switch to a lightning-resistant operation mode different from the normal operation mode and continue operation when a lightning occurs or a thundercloud that can generate lightning occurs or approaches. The method is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a thundercloud approaches, the rotor is operated in various lightning-resistant modes in which the rotation speed of the rotor is lower than that in the rated operation.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-127986

By the way, in the wind power generation facility, a current path for guiding a lightning current due to a lightning strike to a lightning rod arranged on a receptor or a nacelle provided at the tip of a blade may be provided. In particular, the space inside the nacelle where metal equipment such as a spindle, speed increaser or generator is placed at a high place above the tower erected on the ground or offshore can be the path of the above-mentioned lightning current, and also of the nacelle. There is a risk of direct lightning strikes through the ceiling and walls. Therefore, when a thundercloud approaches, the personnel in the wind power generation facility are required to evacuate at least from the nacelle, and either evacuate to the space inside the tower located below the nacelle or move the tower. It is recommended to completely evacuate to the outside of the wind power generation facility including.

However, in the wind power generation facility, the view and sound are obstructed by the wall, and it is difficult for the personnel in the facility to recognize the external situation. Therefore, when a thundercloud occurs near the wind power generation facility, or even if the thundercloud is close to the wind power generation facility, the personnel in the wind power generation facility can visually check for lightning, thunder, etc. Alternatively, it may be difficult to notice the occurrence or approach of a thundercloud by relying on auditory information, and there is a risk that the evacuation to the outside of the wind power generation facility will be delayed.
In this regard, Patent Document 1 does not describe in detail how to notify the personnel in the wind power generation facility of the approach of a thundercloud and urge them to evacuate from the wind power generation facility.

In view of the above problems, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is intended to promptly notify personnel in a wind power generation facility of the approach of a thundercloud.

(1) The wind power generation equipment according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is
With at least one blade,
The hub to which the blade is attached and
A nacelle that rotatably supports the hub,
An alarm device provided in the nacelle and configured to issue one or more alarms,
A wind power generation facility including a controller for outputting an alarm signal instructing the alarm device to issue the alarm.
The controller is configured to output the alarm signal when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value based on the thundercloud position information emitted from the external device.

According to the configuration of (1) above, an alarm signal is automatically issued from the controller when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value based on the thundercloud position information emitted from the external device. It is output. Then, at least one kind of alarm is issued in the nacelle from the alarm device that has received the alarm signal. Therefore, for personnel who are at least in the wind power generation facility in or near the nacelle and who have difficulty in directly grasping external visual or auditory information, a thundercloud will occur at a distance below the first threshold from the wind power generation facility. It is possible to promptly notify that the vehicle is approaching. As a result, it is possible to prompt the personnel in the wind power generation facility to quickly evacuate to the outside of the nacelle or the wind power generation facility.

(2) In some embodiments, in the configuration described in (1) above,
The wind power generation facility
The tower that supports the nacelle and
Further equipped with an external alarm installed outside the tower around the tower.
The external alarm device may be configured to issue a visual and / or auditory alarm based on the alarm signal output by the controller.

According to the configuration of (2) above, based on the thundercloud position information emitted from the external device, the inside of the nacelle is based on the warning signal issued from the controller when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value. In addition to the alarms placed in, an external alarm installed outside the tower also issues an alarm. That is, it is possible to promptly notify the personnel inside and outside the wind power generation facility that the thundercloud is approaching at a distance equal to or less than the first threshold value from the wind power generation facility. This makes it possible to prompt personnel inside and outside the wind power generation facility to quickly evacuate outside the nacelle or outside the wind power generation facility.

(3) In some embodiments, in the configuration described in (1) or (2) above,
The controller may be configured to control the alarm to issue at least one alarm selected from the plurality of types of alarms, depending on the magnitude of the different distances.

According to the configuration of (3) above, at least one alarm selected from a plurality of types of alarms is issued from the alarm device according to the size of the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility. As a result, for example, if the type of alarm according to the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility is set in advance, the personnel in the wind power generation facility can use the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility based on the type of the alarm issued from the alarm device. Can recognize the distance from. Therefore, it is possible to encourage the personnel in the wind power generation facility to take quick evacuation action according to the urgency of the possibility of a lightning strike according to the approach distance of the thundercloud.

(4) In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of (1) to (3) above,
The controller is configured to be communicable with the external device so as to receive the thundercloud position information, and determines whether or not the distance is equal to or less than the first threshold value based on the received thundercloud position information. It may be configured in.

According to the configuration of (4) above, whether the controller configured to communicate with the external device has the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility equal to or less than the first threshold value based on the thundercloud position information received from the external device. Judge whether or not. Therefore, every time the thundercloud position information emitted from an external device is updated, the controller can output an alarm signal to the alarm device based on the latest thundercloud position information, so that at least the personnel in the nacelle can be timely. It is possible to notify the approach of thunderclouds and urge them to evacuate from the nacelle.

(5) In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of (1) to (4) above,
The wind power generation facility
A relay or a relay signal that is connected to the external device via a hardware line or a software program equivalent to the external device and is configured to switch the ON / OFF state when the distance becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value.
A relay device or wiring provided between the relay or the relay signal and the controller is further provided.
The controller may be configured to output the alarm signal in response to a relay signal indicating an ON / OFF state of the relay input via the relay device or wiring.

According to the configuration of (5) above, the ON / OFF state of the relay connected to the external device via the hardware line is switched when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value. A relay signal indicating the ON / OFF state is input to the controller via the relay device. Then, an alarm signal is output from the controller to the alarm device according to the input relay signal. That is, with the simple configuration as described in (5) above, the effect described in any one of (1) to (4) above can be enjoyed.

(6) In some embodiments, in the configuration according to any one of (1) to (5) above,
The controller may be configured to receive storm information from the external device and stop the operation of the wind power generation facility based on the storm information.

In the operation of wind power generation equipment, it is important to protect the wind power generation equipment and personnel according to the location information of the thundercloud, and to operate or stop the wind power generation equipment according to the storm information including the wind direction and speed. May be required. A storm may occur when a lightning strike occurs, but it cannot always be said that both occur at the same time, and the thundercloud position information and the storm information are emitted separately.
In this regard, according to the configuration of (6) above, the controller can stop the operation of the wind power generation facility based on the storm information received from the external device. That is, the controller can switch between continuing and stopping the operation of the wind power generation facility based on the storm information received from the external device separately from the thundercloud position information. Therefore, in addition to being able to issue an alarm to at least the personnel in the nacelle according to the approach information of the thundercloud, it is possible to control the operation of the wind power generation facility according to the storm information.

(7) In some embodiments, in the configuration according to any one of (1) to (6) above,
The distance may be set in consideration of the time required for the evacuation of personnel from the nacelle.

According to the configuration of (7) above, the first threshold value regarding the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility when issuing an alarm from the alarm device is set in consideration of the time required for the evacuation of personnel from the nacelle of the wind power generation facility. Can be set. As a result, the alarm device installed in the nacelle can issue an alarm at a timing when sufficient time is secured for personnel to evacuate. Therefore, the person who recognizes the alarm can safely evacuate from the nacelle of the wind power generation facility to the evacuation site. The time required to evacuate personnel from the nacelle is, for example, the ground height of the nacelle to the tower according to the scale of the power generation output, the location of the wind power generation facility, or the route of the evacuation route from the nacelle to the evacuation site. It may be decided in consideration.

(8) In some embodiments, in the configuration according to any one of (1) to (7) above,
The alarm device is a warning lamp including a plurality of lamps configured to issue a plurality of types of the alarms, or at least one lamp configured to display a plurality of types of the alarms in different colors. There may be.

According to the configuration of (8) above, the warning light as an alarm is turned on in response to the alarm signal output from the controller. Therefore, it is possible to issue an alarm to at least the personnel in the nacelle in a manner that can be visually recognized by the warning light that the thundercloud is approaching at a distance equal to or less than the first threshold value from the wind power generation facility. Furthermore, by displaying multiple types of alarms with multiple lamps or different colors, at least the personnel in the nacelle can visually determine which of the multiple types of alarms is being issued by visually recognizing the warning light. It can be easily grasped while staying in the nacelle and without contacting the outside. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the personnel in the wind power generation facility to quickly evacuate to the outside of the nacelle or the wind power generation facility.

(9) In some embodiments, in the configuration according to any one of (1) to (8) above,
After outputting the alarm signal, the controller outputs a release signal for canceling the alarm to the alarm device when the distance becomes larger than the second threshold value based on the thundercloud position information. It may be configured in.

According to the configuration of (9) above, after the alarm signal is output, the controller triggers that the distance between the wind power generation facility and the thundercloud exceeds the second threshold value based on the thundercloud position information from the external device. A release signal is automatically output to the alarm. Therefore, when the distance between the wind power generation facility and the thundercloud exceeds the second threshold value while the alarm is being issued from the alarm device, the alarm by the operating alarm device can be automatically canceled.

(10) In some embodiments, in the configuration according to any one of (1) to (9) above,
After outputting the alarm signal, the controller may be configured to receive a recognition confirmation signal indicating recognition by the worker of the alarm input from a portable terminal carried by each worker.

According to the configuration of (10) above, the recognition confirmation signal from the portable terminal carried by each worker is input to the controller. Therefore, for example, when working with a plurality of workers, confirmation information as to whether or not each worker recognizes the approach of the thundercloud or all the workers recognizes the approach of the thundercloud is collected in the controller. Can be done. Therefore, by confirming the recognition confirmation signal aggregated in this controller, it is possible to speed up, improve the efficiency or improve the quality of safety management in the wind power generation facility.

(11) In some embodiments, in the configuration according to any one of (1) to (10) above,
The at least one blade comprises three blades.
Based on the thundercloud position information, the controller adjusts the azimuth angle of the hub so that the blade to be protected among the three blades faces vertically downward when the distance becomes equal to or less than the third threshold value. It may be configured to do so.

Regarding lightning strikes on the blades of wind power generation equipment, there is a tendency for the possibility of lightning strikes to increase when the blades are placed at a relatively high position, such as when the blades are placed vertically upward.
In this regard, according to the configuration of (11) above, when the distance between the wind power generation facility and the thundercloud becomes equal to or less than the third threshold value based on the thundercloud position information emitted from the external device, the controller controls the three blades. Of these, control is performed to adjust the azimuth angle of the hub so that the blade to be protected faces vertically downward. As a result, the protected blade can be arranged at a relatively low position, so that the possibility of a lightning strike on the protected blade can be reduced and the protected blade can be protected. The blade to be protected may be, for example, a blade that has already been damaged by a lightning strike or other cause, or may be a relatively new blade, and may be arbitrarily set according to the operating conditions.

(12) In some embodiments, in the configuration according to any one of (1) to (11) above,
The controller may be configured to shift to a feather mode in which the hub idles when the distance becomes equal to or less than the fourth threshold value based on the thundercloud position information.

According to the configuration of (12) above, based on the thundercloud position information received from the external device, when the distance between the wind power generation facility and the thundercloud becomes equal to or less than the fourth threshold value, the controller switches to the feather mode in which the hub idles. Control to transition is performed. Therefore, for example, when a thundercloud is accompanied by a strong wind or a storm, the feather mode is automatically shifted to the feather mode when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility becomes equal to or less than the fourth threshold based on the thundercloud position information. , The influence of wind pressure can be reduced to protect the wind power generation equipment from strong winds or storms.

(13) The method of operating the wind power generation facility according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is as follows.
With at least one blade,
The hub to which the blade is attached and
A nacelle that rotatably supports the hub,
An alarm device provided in the nacelle and configured to issue one or more alarms,
It is an operation method of a wind power generation facility equipped with
Based on the thundercloud position information emitted from the external device, the alarm is issued when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value.

According to the method (13) above, when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value based on the thundercloud position information emitted from the external device, the alarm device provided in the nacelle is used. More than one type of alarm is issued. Therefore, for personnel who are at least in the wind power generation facility in or near the nacelle and who have difficulty in directly grasping external visual or auditory information, a thundercloud will occur at a distance below the first threshold from the wind power generation facility. It is possible to promptly notify that the vehicle is approaching. As a result, it is possible to prompt the personnel in the wind power generation facility to quickly evacuate to the outside of the nacelle or the wind power generation facility.

(14) In some embodiments, in the method described in (13) above,
An evacuation space for workers in the nacelle to evacuate based on the alarm may be installed in the upper part of the tower.

According to the method (14) above, an evacuation space for workers to evacuate is installed in the upper part of the tower. Therefore, when an alarm is issued from the alarm device triggered by the fact that the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility is equal to or less than the first threshold value based on the thundercloud position information emitted from the external device, the nacelle that recognizes the alarm. The workers inside can evacuate to the evacuation space by moving from the nacelle to the inside of the tower. For example, in an emergency such as when a worker inside the nacelle does not have time to safely move to an evacuation site outside the preset wind power generation facility, from inside the nacelle where the possibility of a lightning strike is relatively high. By simply moving to the upper evacuation space in the tower provided directly below the nacelle, the possibility of a direct lightning strike on the worker can be greatly reduced.

(15) In some embodiments, in the method described in (14) above,
After the worker has been evacuated, it may be determined whether or not the work can be resumed based on the thundercloud position information.

According to the method (15) above, after the worker has evacuated from the nacelle in response to the alarm issued from the alarm, it is determined whether or not the work can be resumed based on the thundercloud position information. For example, even if it is determined that work can be resumed when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility is greater than or equal to the above-mentioned first threshold value or other predetermined distance that can be determined to be safe based on the thundercloud position information. good.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to promptly notify the personnel in the wind power generation facility of the approach of a thundercloud.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of the wind power generation facility which concerns on at least one Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a schematic diagram which shows the system configuration example of the wind power generation facility which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control system of the wind power generation facility which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the distance between a thundercloud and a wind power generation facility in some embodiments. It is a flowchart which shows the operation method of the wind power generation facility which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the evacuation space in the wind power generation facility which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation method of the wind power generation facility which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation method of the wind power generation facility which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation method of the wind power generation facility which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation method of the wind power generation facility which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation method of the wind power generation facility which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation method of the wind power generation facility which concerns on one Embodiment.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in some of the embodiments shown below are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to this unless otherwise specified. It is just an example of explanation.
For example, expressions that represent relative or absolute arrangements such as "in one direction", "along a certain direction", "parallel", "orthogonal", "center", "concentric" or "coaxial" are exact. Not only does it represent such an arrangement, but it also represents a tolerance or a state of relative displacement at an angle or distance to the extent that the same function can be obtained.
Further, for example, the expression representing a shape such as a quadrangular shape or a cylindrical shape not only represents a shape such as a quadrangular shape or a cylindrical shape in a geometrically strict sense, but also has a concavo-convex portion or a concavo-convex portion within a range where the same effect can be obtained. The shape including the chamfered portion and the like shall also be represented.
On the other hand, the expressions "equipped", "equipped", "equipped", "included", or "have" one component are not exclusive expressions excluding the existence of other components.

First, the wind power generation facility according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a wind power generation facility according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration example of the wind power generation facility according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of a wind power generation facility according to an embodiment.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 without limitation, the wind power generation facility (hereinafter referred to as a wind turbine 1) according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one blade 2 and a hub to which the blade 2 is attached. In the wind turbine rotor 4 including the wind turbine rotor 4, the nacelle 7 that rotatably supports the hub 3 of the wind turbine rotor 4, the tower 8 that rotatably supports the nacelle 7, the base 9 that supports the tower 8, and the nacelle 7. It is provided with an alarm device 10 configured to issue one or more alarms, and a controller 20 for outputting an alarm signal 63 for instructing the alarm device 10 to issue an alarm.
The wind turbine 1 is a drive train 5 including a spindle 5A and a speed increaser 5B rotatably connected to the wind turbine rotor 4, and a generator that converts the rotational energy of the drive train 5 into electric energy to generate electric power. 6 and.
The alarm 10 is configured to give an alarm in a manner that can visually, audibly, or sensuously call attention, for example, by light, sound, movement, or a combination thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 without limitation, the controller 20 is, for example, a computer, and the CPU 21 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a storage unit for storing data such as various programs and tables executed by the CPU 21. ) 23, RAM (Random Access Memory) 22 that functions as a work area as an expansion area and a calculation area when executing each program, a hard disk drive (HDD) as a large-capacity storage device (not shown), and a communication network. It may be provided with a communication interface for the purpose, an access unit to which an external storage device is mounted, and the like. In some embodiments, the controller 20 may include a database 27 that stores various parameters for wind turbine operation. All of these are connected via the bus 24. Further, the controller 20 may be connected to, for example, an input unit (not shown) consisting of a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, a display unit including a liquid crystal display device for displaying data, or the like.

A detection signal regarding the wind direction, the wind speed, and the pitch angle may be transmitted to the controller 20 from each of the wind direction sensor 32, the wind speed sensor 33, and the pitch angle sensor 25 provided in each wind turbine 1. Further, the controller 20 may be electrically or electronically connected to the yaw motor 34, the yaw brake drive actuator 35, the pitch actuator 36 and the pitch brake drive actuator 37 via the bus 24.
In one embodiment, the controller 20 may be, for example, a nacelle control device (not shown) arranged in the nacelle 5. However, as another embodiment, the controller 20 is, for example, a pitch control device arranged in the hub 3, an operation terminal arranged in the tower 8, or a control installed in a management center arranged away from the wind turbine 1. It may be a system or a wind farm controller 20A.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the distance between the thundercloud and the wind power generation facility in some embodiments.
In the controller 20 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 is equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1 based on the thundercloud position information 41 emitted from the external device 40 exemplified in FIG. 2, for example. It may be configured to output an alarm signal 63 when becomes (see FIG. 5, steps S10 to S11).
The ROM 23 includes a thundercloud approaching operation program 28 that outputs an alarm signal 63 when the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1 based on the thundercloud position information 41 emitted from the external device 40. It may be stored.
The controller 20 may be configured to output an alarm signal 63 based on the thundercloud position information 41 by reading the thundercloud approaching operation program 28 from the ROM 23, deploying it to the RAM 44, and executing the program 28.
The external device 40 may be installed in a facility such as an organization or a company that transmits information on the weather including the approach of thunderclouds and storms. Information transmitted from such an external device 40 (including, for example, thundercloud position information 41 and storm information 42 described later) is provided to related departments through a wired or wireless network.
The distance set as the first threshold value Th1 can be set to any value such as, for example, 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, and the like.

According to the above configuration, the alarm signal 63 is automatically set from the controller 20 with the trigger that the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 is equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1 based on the thundercloud position information 41 emitted from the external device 40. Is output to. Then, the alarm device 10 that has received the alarm signal 63 issues one or more alarms in at least the nacelle 7. Therefore, for the personnel P who are at least in the nacelle 7 or in the wind turbine 1 in the vicinity of the wind turbine 1 and whose external visual or auditory information is difficult to directly grasp, the thundercloud is at a distance of 1 or less from the wind turbine 1 to the first threshold value Th1 or less. It is possible to promptly notify that Tc is approaching. As a result, it is possible to prompt the personnel P in the wind turbine 1 to quickly evacuate to a safe evacuation site outside the nacelle 7, outside the wind turbine 1, or in the vicinity.

In some embodiments, the wind turbine 1 may further include an external alarm 16 installed outside the tower 8 around the tower 8 supporting the nacelle 7 (see, eg, FIG. 6).
The external alarm 16 may be arranged in the vicinity of the wind turbine 1, for example, around the outer periphery of the tower 8 of the wind turbine 1, around the nacelle 7, or in a facility such as a park where the wind turbine 1 is installed.
The external alarm 16 may be configured to issue a visual and / or auditory alarm based on the alarm signal 63 output by the controller 20.

According to the configuration provided with the external alarm 16 as described above, when the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1 based on the thundercloud position information 41 emitted from the external device 40, the controller 20 Based on the alarm signal 63 to be issued, an alarm is issued from the external alarm 16 installed outside the tower 8 in addition to the alarm 10 arranged inside the nacelle 7. That is, it is possible to promptly notify the personnel P inside and outside the wind turbine 1 that the thundercloud Tc is approaching the distance from the wind turbine 1 to the distance equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1. As a result, it is possible to prompt the personnel P inside and outside the wind turbine 1 to quickly retreat to the outside of the nacelle 7 or the outside of the wind turbine 1.

In some embodiments, the controller 20 controls the alarm device 10 to issue at least one alarm selected from a plurality of types of alarms, depending on the magnitude of the plurality of different distances between the wind turbine 1 and the thundercloud Tc. It may be configured to do so.
The type of alarm may include, for example, as described above, an alarm in a mode that can visually, audibly, or sensuously call attention by light, sound, motion, or a combination thereof. Further, a plurality of light sources, sound sources, and the like may be used depending on the magnitude of the plurality of different distances.

As described above, according to the configuration in which at least one alarm selected from a plurality of types of alarms is emitted from the alarm device 10 according to the magnitude of the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1, for example, the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 If the type of the alarm corresponding to the distance is set in advance, the personnel P in the wind turbine 1 can recognize the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 based on the type of the alarm issued from the alarm device 10. Therefore, it is possible to urge the personnel P in the wind turbine 1 to take a quick evacuation action according to the urgency of the possibility of a lightning strike according to the approach distance of the thundercloud Tc.

In some embodiments, in any of the above configurations, the controller 20 is configured to be communicable with the external device 40 so as to receive the thundercloud position information 41, and the thundercloud is based on the received thundercloud position information 41. It may be configured to determine whether or not the distance between Tc and the wind turbine 1 is equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1.

According to the configuration for determining whether or not the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 is equal to or less than the first threshold Th1 based on the thundercloud position information 41 received from the external device 40 in this way, it is possible to communicate with the external device 40. The configured controller 20 determines whether or not the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 is equal to or less than the first threshold Th1 based on the thundercloud position information 41 received from the external device 40. Therefore, every time the thundercloud position information 41 emitted from the external device 40 is updated, the alarm signal 63 can be output from the controller 20 to the alarm device 10 based on the latest thundercloud position information 41, so that at least in the nacelle 7. It is possible to notify the personnel P of the approach of the thundercloud Tc in a timely manner and urge them to evacuate from the nacelle 7.

In some embodiments, in any of the above configurations, the wind turbine 1 is connected to the external device 40 via the hardware line 50, and the distance between the wind turbine 1 and the thundercloud Tc is the first threshold Th1 or less. It may further include a relay 52 configured to switch the ON / OFF state when the value is reached, and a relay device 62 provided between the relay 52 and the controller 20 (see, for example, FIG. 2). ..
The controller 20 may be configured to output an alarm signal 63 in response to a relay signal 61 indicating an ON / OFF state of the relay 52 input via the relay device 62. The relay 52 and the relay device 62 can be replaced with software by a device such as a programmable logic controller.

According to the configuration in which the wind turbine 1 is connected to the external device 40 via the hardware line 50 in this way, the ON / OFF state of the relay 52 connected to the external device 40 via the hardware line 50 is the thundercloud Tc. When the distance between the windmill 1 and the windmill 1 becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1, the relay signal 61 indicating the ON / OFF state is input to the controller 20 via the relay device 62. Then, according to the input relay signal 61, the alarm signal 63 is output from the controller 20 to the alarm device 10. That is, with such a simple configuration, the effects described in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be enjoyed.

In some embodiments, in any of the above configurations, the controller 20 outputs the warning signal 63 and then the distance between the wind turbine 1 and the thundercloud Tc is larger than the second threshold Th2 based on the thundercloud position information 41. When it becomes, the alarm device 10 may be configured to output a release signal 65 for canceling the alarm (see FIG. 7, steps S20 to S21).

In this way, based on the thundercloud position information 41 received from the external device 40, when the distance between the windmill 1 and the thundercloud Tc becomes larger than the second threshold value Th2, the alarm device 10 is released to cancel the alarm. According to the configuration for outputting the signal 65, after the warning signal 63 is output, the distance between the windmill 1 and the thundercloud Tc exceeds the second threshold value Th2 based on the thundercloud position information 41 from the external device 40. A release signal 65 is automatically output from the controller 20 to the alarm 10 as a trigger. Therefore, when the distance between the wind turbine 1 and the thundercloud Tc exceeds the second threshold value Th2 while the alarm is being issued from the alarm device 10, the alarm by the operating alarm device 10 can be automatically canceled. .. Further, if there is a personnel P in or around the nacelle 7 when the alarm is canceled, the personnel P tells that the thundercloud Tc is separated from the wind turbine 1 by a distance of the second threshold value Th2 or more, and thereby. It is possible to recognize that it is no longer necessary to evacuate from the nacelle 7 while inside the nacelle 7.

In some embodiments, in any of the above configurations, the controller 20 is configured to receive storm information 42 from the external device 40 and stop the operation of the wind turbine 1 based on the received storm information 42. (See FIG. 8, steps S30 to S31).

In the operation of the wind turbine 1, it is important to protect the wind turbine 1 and personnel P according to the position information of the thundercloud Tc (thundercloud position information 41), and also according to the storm information 42 including the wind direction and the wind speed. May need to be started or stopped. A storm may occur when a lightning strike occurs, but it cannot always be said that both occur at the same time, and the thundercloud position information 41 and the storm information 42 are emitted separately.
In this regard, according to the configuration for stopping the operation of the wind turbine 1 based on the storm information 42 received from the external device 40 as described above, the controller 20 of the wind turbine 1 is based on the storm information 42 received from the external device 40. The operation can be stopped. That is, the controller 20 can switch between continuing and stopping the operation of the wind turbine 1 based on the storm information 42 received from the external device 40 separately from the thundercloud position information 41. Therefore, in addition to being able to issue an alarm to at least the personnel P in the nacelle 7 according to the approach information of the thundercloud Tc, it is possible to control the operation of the wind turbine 1 according to the storm information 42.

In some embodiments, in any of the above configurations, the threshold for the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 may be set in consideration of the time required for the personnel P to evacuate from the nacelle 7.

In this way, according to the setting configuration in which the threshold value of the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 is set in consideration of the time required for the personnel P to evacuate from the nacelle 7, the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 when issuing an alarm from the alarm device 10 The first threshold value Th1 regarding the distance from the wind turbine 1 can be set in consideration of the time required for the personnel P to evacuate from the nacelle 7 of the wind turbine 1. As a result, the alarm device 10 installed in the nacelle 7 can issue an alarm at a timing when sufficient time is secured for the personnel P to evacuate. Therefore, the personnel P who recognizes the alarm can safely evacuate from the nacelle 7 of the wind turbine 1 to the evacuation site. The time required to evacuate personnel P from the nacelle 7 is, for example, the ground height of the nacelle 7 to the tower 8 according to the scale of the power generation output, the location of the wind turbine 1, or the evacuation route from the nacelle to the evacuation site. It may be decided in consideration of the way and the like.

In some embodiments, in any of the configurations described above, the alarm device 10 displays a plurality of lamps 12 configured to issue a plurality of types of alarms, or a plurality of types of alarms in different colors. It may be a warning lamp 14 including at least one lamp 12 configured as possible.
The warning light 14 may be a rotating light (or a rotating warning light) such as a patrol lamp (or a patrol light (registered trademark)).

According to the configuration in which the warning light 14 is applied as the alarm device 10, the warning light 14 as the warning device 10 is turned on in response to the warning signal 63 output from the controller 20. Therefore, it is possible to issue an alarm to the personnel P in the nacelle 7 in a manner that can be visually recognized by the warning lamp 14 that the thundercloud Tc is approaching at a distance of the first threshold value Th1 or less from the wind turbine 1. can. Further, by displaying a plurality of types of alarms with a plurality of lamps 12 or different colors, at least the personnel P in the nacelle 7 can issue any of the plurality of types of alarms by visually recognizing the warning light 14. It is possible to easily grasp whether or not it is in the nacelle 7 without contacting the outside. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the personnel P in the wind turbine 1 to quickly evacuate to the outside of the nacelle 7 or the wind power generation facility.

In some embodiments, in any of the above configurations, the controller 20 outputs an alarm signal 63 and then indicates recognition by the worker of the alarm input from the portable terminal 70 carried by each worker P. It may be configured to receive the recognition confirmation signal 64.

As described above, according to the configuration in which the recognition confirmation signal 64 from the portable terminal 70 carried by each worker P is input to the controller 20, for example, when the work is performed by a plurality of workers P, each worker P Information on whether or not all the workers P have recognized the approach of the thundercloud Tc can be collected in the controller 20. Therefore, by confirming the recognition confirmation signal aggregated in the controller 20, it is possible to speed up, improve the efficiency, or improve the quality of the safety management in the wind turbine 1.

In some embodiments, in any of the configurations described above, at least one blade 2 comprises three blades 2, and the controller 20 comprises a thundercloud Tc and a wind turbine 1 based on the thundercloud position information 41. The azimuth angle of the hub 3 is adjusted so that the blade 2 to be protected out of the three blades 2 faces vertically downward (see FIG. 9) when the distance of the blade 2 becomes equal to or less than the third threshold value Th3. (See FIG. 10, steps S40 to S41).

Regarding a lightning strike on the blade 2 of the wind turbine 1, the possibility of a lightning strike tends to increase when the blade 2 is arranged at a relatively high position, such as when the blade 2 is arranged vertically upward.
In this regard, as described above, when the distance between the wind turbine 1 and the thundercloud Tc becomes the third threshold value Th3 or less based on the thundercloud position information 41 emitted from the external device 40, the controller 20 causes the three blades 2 to be connected. According to the configuration in which the azimuth angle of the hub 3 is adjusted so that the blade 2 to be protected is directed downward in the vertical direction, the blade 2 to be protected is arranged at a relatively low position (or the lowest position that can be arranged in the configuration). Therefore, the possibility of a lightning strike on the protected blade 2 can be reduced to protect the protected blade 2. The blade 2 to be protected may be, for example, a blade 2 that has already been damaged by a lightning strike or other cause, or may be a relatively new blade 2, and may be arbitrarily set according to the operating conditions.

In some embodiments, in any of the above configurations, the controller 20 has a hub 3 when the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 is less than or equal to the fourth threshold Th4, based on the thundercloud position information 41. May be configured to shift to a feather mode in which the head idles (see FIG. 11, steps S50 to S51).
For example, when the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 becomes equal to or less than the fourth threshold value Th4, the controller 20 releases the rotor brake (not shown) and outputs the detection signal of the pitch angle sensor 25 based on the thundercloud position information 41. After driving the pitch drive actuator 36 so that the pitch angle of the blade 2 is in the feather state with reference to the reference, the pitch brake drive actuator is operated to fix the pitch angle.

In this way, when the distance between the wind turbine 1 and the thundercloud Tc becomes the fourth threshold Th4 or less based on the thundercloud position information 41 received from the external device 40, the controller 20 shifts to the feather mode in which the hub 3 idles. According to the configuration in which the thundercloud Tc is controlled, for example, when a thundercloud Tc is accompanied by a strong wind or a storm, it triggers that the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 becomes the fourth threshold Th4 or less based on the thundercloud position information 41. By automatically shifting to the feather mode, it is possible to reduce the influence of wind pressure and protect the wind turbine 1 from strong winds or storms.

The method of operating the wind power generation facility according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one blade 2, a hub 3 to which the blade 2 is attached, a nacelle 7 that rotatably supports the hub 3, and the inside of the nacelle 7. It is an operation method of the wind turbine 1 provided with an alarm device 10 provided in the above and configured to issue one or more alarms, and the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 are based on the thundercloud position information 41 emitted from the external device 40. An alarm is issued when the distance to and from is equal to or less than the first threshold Th1.

As described above, when the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the wind turbine 1 becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1 based on the thundercloud position information 41 emitted from the external device 40, the alarm device 10 provided in the nacelle 7 is a kind. According to the configuration for issuing the above alarm, the wind turbine 1 to the first to the personnel P who are at least in the nacelle 7 or in the vicinity of the wind turbine 1 and whose external visual or auditory information is difficult to directly grasp. It is possible to promptly notify that a thundercloud is approaching a distance of 1 threshold Th1 or less. As a result, it is possible to prompt the personnel P in the wind turbine 1 to quickly retreat to the outside of the nacelle 7 or the outside of the wind turbine 1.

In some embodiments, in the above method, an evacuation space 8A for the worker P in the nacelle 7 to evacuate based on an alarm may be installed in the upper part of the tower 8 (see, for example, FIG. 6).

As described above, according to the method of installing the evacuation space for the worker P to evacuate in the upper part of the tower 8, the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the windmill 1 is based on the thundercloud position information 41 emitted from the external device 40. When an alarm is issued from the alarm device 10 triggered by the fact that It can be evacuated to space 8A. For example, in an emergency such as when the worker P in the nacelle 7 does not have time to safely move to the evacuation site (not shown) outside the preset wind turbine 1, the possibility of a lightning strike is relatively high. By simply moving from the inside of the nacelle 7 to the upper evacuation space 8A in the tower 8 provided directly under the nacelle 7, the possibility of a direct lightning strike on the worker P can be greatly reduced.

In some embodiments, in the above method, after the worker P has been evacuated, it may be determined whether or not the work can be resumed based on the thundercloud position information 41 (see FIG. 12, steps S60 to S66).

As described above, according to the method of determining whether or not the work can be resumed based on the thundercloud position information 41 after the worker P has evacuated, after the worker P has evacuated from the nacelle 7 in response to the alarm issued from the alarm device 10. , Whether or not the work can be resumed is determined based on the thundercloud position information 41. For example, based on the thundercloud position information 41, it is determined that the distance between the thundercloud Tc and the windmill 1 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value Th1 (the second threshold value Th2, the third threshold value Th3 or the fourth threshold value Th4 may be used), or it is safe. It may be determined that the work can be resumed when the distance is longer than the other predetermined distance to be obtained, or when a certain time has elapsed after receiving the recognition confirmation signal 64 from all the workers P or transmitting the release signal 65.

The above-mentioned first threshold value Th1, second threshold value Th2, third threshold value Th3, and fourth threshold value Th4 may have different values or the same value.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure described above, it is possible to promptly notify the personnel P in the wind turbine 1 of the approach of the thundercloud Tc.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes a modified form of the above-mentioned embodiment and a combination of these embodiments.

1 Wind turbine (wind power generation equipment)
2 Blade 2A Protected blade 3 Hub 4 Wind turbine rotor 5 Drive train 5A Main shaft 5B Speed increaser 6 Generator 7 Nacelle 8 Tower 8A Evacuation space 9 Base 10 Alarm 12 Lamp 14 Warning light (patrol lamp)
16 External alarm 20 Controller 20A Wind farm controller 21 CPU
22 RAM
23 ROM
24 Bus 25 Pitch angle sensor 27 Database 28 Thundercloud approaching operation program 31 Wind direction sensor 32 Wind speed sensor 33 Load sensor 34 Yaw motor 35 Yaw brake drive actuator 36 Pitch drive actuator 37 Pitch brake drive actuator 40 External device 41 Thundercloud position information 42 Storm information 50 Hardware line 52 Relay 61 Relay signal 62 Relay device 63 Alarm signal 64 Recognition confirmation signal 65 Release signal 70 Portable terminal Th1 First threshold Th2 Second threshold Th3 Third threshold Th4 Fourth threshold Tc Thundercloud P Personnel (workers)

Claims (11)

A wind turbine with at least one blade, a hub to which the blade is mounted, and a nacelle that rotatably supports the hub.
A controller that can control the wind turbine based on storm information and thundercloud position information input from external devices.
It is a wind power generation facility equipped with
The controller does not stop the operation of the wind turbine based on the storm information, and when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind turbine becomes equal to or less than the third threshold based on the thundercloud position information, the controller has at least one blade. Of these, the hub is configured to adjust the azimuth angle so that the blade to be protected faces vertically downward.
The controller is configured to transition to a feather mode in which the hub idles when the distance falls below a fourth threshold.
The third threshold value is a wind power generation facility larger than the fourth threshold value. The controller commands an alarm device provided in the nacelle and configured to issue one or more alarms to issue an alarm when the distance becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value.
The wind power generation facility according to claim 1, wherein the third threshold value is smaller than the first threshold value. The controller commands the alarm to be canceled when the distance becomes larger than the second threshold value.
The wind power generation facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third threshold value is smaller than the second threshold value. The wind power generation facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protected blade is a blade having the greatest damage among the at least one blade. The wind power generation facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protected blade is the newest blade among the at least one blade. The wind power generation facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storm information and the thundercloud position information are separately emitted from the external device. A wind turbine with at least one blade, a hub to which the blade is mounted, and a nacelle that rotatably supports the hub.
A controller that can control the wind turbine based on storm information and thundercloud position information input from external devices.
It is a wind power generation facility equipped with
The controller does not stop the operation of the wind turbine based on the storm information, and when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind turbine becomes equal to or less than the third threshold based on the thundercloud position information, the controller has at least one blade. Of these, the hub is configured to adjust the azimuth angle so that the blade to be protected faces vertically downward.
The protected blade is a wind power generation facility, which is the blade having the greatest damage among the at least one blade. A wind turbine with at least one blade, a hub to which the blade is mounted, and a nacelle that rotatably supports the hub.
A controller that can control the wind turbine based on storm information and thundercloud position information input from external devices.
It is a wind power generation facility equipped with
The controller does not stop the operation of the wind turbine based on the storm information, and when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind turbine becomes equal to or less than the third threshold based on the thundercloud position information, the controller has at least one blade. Of these, the hub is configured to adjust the azimuth angle so that the blade to be protected faces vertically downward.
The protected blade is a wind power generation facility, which is the newest of the at least one blade. A wind turbine with at least one blade, a hub to which the blade is mounted, and a nacelle that rotatably supports the hub.
A controller that can control the wind turbine based on storm information and thundercloud position information input from external devices.
It is an operation method of a wind power generation facility equipped with
When the operation of the wind turbine is not stopped based on the storm information, when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind turbine becomes equal to or less than the third threshold based on the thundercloud position information, the protection target of the at least one blade. Adjust the azimuth angle of the hub so that the blade faces vertically downward.
When the distance becomes equal to or less than the fourth threshold value, the hub is shifted to the feather mode in which it idles.
The third threshold value is a method for operating a wind power generation facility, which is larger than the fourth threshold value. A wind turbine with at least one blade, a hub to which the blade is mounted, and a nacelle that rotatably supports the hub.
A controller that can control the wind turbine based on storm information and thundercloud position information input from external devices.
It is an operation method of a wind power generation facility equipped with
When the operation of the wind turbine is not stopped based on the storm information, when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind turbine becomes equal to or less than the third threshold based on the thundercloud position information, the protection target of the at least one blade. Adjust the azimuth angle of the hub so that the blade faces vertically downward.
The method of operating a wind power generation facility, wherein the protected blade is a blade having the greatest damage among the at least one blade. A wind turbine with at least one blade, a hub to which the blade is mounted, and a nacelle that rotatably supports the hub.
A controller that can control the wind turbine based on storm information and thundercloud position information input from external devices.
It is an operation method of a wind power generation facility equipped with
When the operation of the wind turbine is not stopped based on the storm information, when the distance between the thundercloud and the wind turbine becomes equal to or less than the third threshold based on the thundercloud position information, the protection target of the at least one blade. Adjust the azimuth angle of the hub so that the blade faces vertically downward.
The protected blade is the newest blade among the at least one blade, which is a method of operating a wind power generation facility.

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