Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
design margins and enable designs to use less material throughout the structure
and components.
4.6.2 SCADA hardware and software
The SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system is the main sys-
tem to operate a wind plant. Wind SCADA systems need several hardware compo-
nents such as servers, modems, storage devices, etc. This rack-mounted hardware
is typically located in the wind plant control room; however smaller wind projects
may utilize standalone PCs. It provides the communication network and protocol
for information fl ow between all components of the wind plant. At its simplest
level, the SCADA network connects and controls the WT generators and enables
collection of production and maintenance data.
Receive data from individual turbines
Send control signals to individual turbines
Provide real-time data monitoring
Alarm checking and recording
Provide capability for historical data analysis
Ability to model system (region-plant-cluster-unit) in hierarchy
It is used for confi guration and commissioning of turbines, operation of the
turbines, troubleshooting, and reporting. Commissioning technicians, service
technicians, operators, owners, engineers and other experts use it [60].
SCADA knows everything that is going on in the wind farm: how much each
turbine is producing, the temperature inside and outside of each turbine, wind direc-
tion, and if a turbine needs service or repair. It even records if lightning has struck a
turbine. In the event the SCADA system detects a problem, it shuts down the machine
or machines automatically and notifi es the plant operator. Controllers inside the tur-
bines also maintain the power quality of the electric current generated by the WT.
4.6.3 WPP control system
The WPP control system takes it to another level by integrating real-time grid
conditions together with electricity production to ensure stable operation. Power
quality is the stability of frequency and voltage and lack of electrical noise being
supplied to the grid. The WPP control system monitor power production, and
aggregates across the power plant and control regions ensuring power quality. It is
not uncommon today to have very large parks in excess of 200 MW or more, and
the WPP control system makes this possible. Examples of large projects include:
1.
Horse Hollow Wind Energy Centre - The world's largest WPP with a capacity
of 735.5 MW. It consists of 291 GE1.5 MW and 130 Siemens 2.3 MW WTs
spread over nearly 190 km
2
(47,000 acres) of land in Taylor and Nolan County,
Texas, owned and operated by NextEra Energy Resources (part of the Florida
Power & Light (FPL) group) [38].
Titan wind project, a 5050 MW project announced for South Dakota
2.
consisting of 2020 Clipper 2.5 MW WTs [39].
Search WWH ::
Custom Search