Systems and methods for adaptive possible power determinaton in power generating systems

• US 9,160,172 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2011
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology, LLC (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Caffrey, Paul Oliver, Galbraith, Anthony William, Kuruvilla, Kuruvilla Pallathusseril, Rackmales, James David
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Tung S
• Application Number:
  US13/271,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20130096856A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 702/57, 702 60- 61, 702 63- 64
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/048 using a predictor
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/20 The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/28 The renewable source being wind energy wind motors F03D
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/76 Power conversion electric or electronic aspects

Abstract

A system for determining the output capacity of a power generating system including a sensor that monitors at least one condition of the power generating system and outputs the monitored condition data, and a power capability determination device that dynamically determines a full capacity of the power generating system based upon the outputted environmental data from the electronic controller.

Claims

1. A system for determining the output capacity of a power generating system, comprising:

a sensor configured to monitor at least one condition of the power generating system and output the monitored condition data; and

a power capability determination device configured to;

receive the outputted monitored condition data and dynamically determine a theoretical full capacity value of the power generating system based upon the received monitored condition data;

determine a correction factor value at least partially based on the received monitored condition data and non-measured data including power generation module degradation data; and

combine the correction factor value with the determined theoretical full capacity value to generate an estimated full capacity value.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the power generating system includes at least one power generation module, wherein the correction factor value is further at least partially based on non-measured data including power generation module soiling data.

3. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a power measuring device in communication with the power generating system, said power measuring device configured to determine an instantaneous power output level of the power generating system.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said power capability determination device comprises:

a theoretical performance module configured to output the theoretical full capacity value of the power generating system; and

an adaptive learning module configured to determine performance metrics based upon the instantaneous power values accumulated over a time period and output the correction factor value configured to adjust the theoretical full capacity value based upon the performance metrics.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said adaptive learning module is selectably activated and resettable.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said adaptive learning module is configured to be reset after completion of a maintenance operation.

7. A method for determining an output capacity of a power generating system, said method comprising:

monitoring at least one condition of the power generating system and outputting the monitored condition data to a power capability determination device;

determining, by the power capability determination device, a theoretical full capacity value of the power generating system based upon the monitored condition data;

determining, by the power capability determination device, a correction factor value at least partially based on the received monitored condition data and non-measured data including power generation module degradation data; and

combining, by the power capability determination device, the correction factor value with the determined theoretical full capacity value thereby generating an estimated full capacity value.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the power generating system includes at least one power generation module, wherein the correction factor value is further at least partially based on non-measured data including power generation module soiling data.

9. A method according to claim 7, further comprising measuring an instantaneous power output level of the power generating system.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

determining a theoretical performance of the power generating system;

accumulating the instantaneous power values over a time period;

determining performance metrics based upon the instantaneous power values accumulated over the time period; and

applying the correction factor that adjusts the theoretical performance based upon the performance metrics.

11. A method according to claim 9, further comprising comparing the instantaneous power output level of the power generating system with the estimated full capacity value comprising at least one of:

initiating a diagnostic evaluation of the power generation system;

curtailing the instantaneous power output level of the power generating system below the estimated full capacity value; and

,

quantifying a value of revenue lost due to the power generating system generating an instantaneous power output level below the estimated full capacity value.

12. A method according to claim 10, further comprising selectively determining the performance metrics for a time during which the power generating system is operating without an equipment malfunction.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein curtailing the instantaneous power output level of the power generating system below the estimated full capacity value comprises disconnecting at least a portion of the power generation system.

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein curtailing the instantaneous power output level of the power generating system below the estimated full capacity value comprises at least one of:

riding through a low voltage grid event;

riding through periods when a power grid coupled to the power generating system cannot accept power generated by the power generating system;

anticipating transient events including at least one of cloud passage and over-frequency conditions on the power grid; and

,

increasing reactive power generation by the power generating system.

15. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein curtailing the instantaneous power output level of the power generating system below the estimated full capacity value comprises maintaining the instantaneous power output level of a first portion of the power generating system and curtailing the instantaneous power output level of a second portion of the power generating system, thereby establishing a dynamic power reserve.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program comprising computer instructions for performing a method for determining the output capacity of a power generating system, said method comprising:

monitoring at least one condition of the power generating system and outputting the monitored condition data;

determining a theoretical full capacity value of the power generating system based upon the monitored condition data;

determining a correction factor value at least partially based on the monitored condition data and non-measured data including power generation module degradation data;

combining the correction factor value with the determined theoretical full capacity value, thereby generating an estimated full capacity value; and

measuring an instantaneous power output level of the power generating system and comparing the estimated full capacity of the power generating system and the instantaneous power output level of the power generating system.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the power generating system includes at least one power generation module, wherein the correction factor value is further at least partially based on non-measured data including power generation module soiling data.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16, said method further comprising:

determining a theoretical performance of the power generating system;

accumulating instantaneous power values over a time period;

determining performance metrics based upon the instantaneous power values accumulated over the time period; and

applying the correction factor that adjusts the theoretical full capacity based upon the performance metrics.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18, said method further comprising selectively determining the performance metrics for a time during which the power generating system is operating without an equipment malfunction.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18, said method further comprising storing the monitored condition data and full capacity data in a data storage device.