HomeMy WebLinkAboutNikolski Wind Integration Commissioning Report - Aug 2010 - REF Grant 2195375Nikolski Wind — Diesel Power System
Status Report
Aug. 27, 2010
Prepared by TDX Power
Commissioned
TDX Power, along with subcontractor CPT, conducted the commissioning of
the wind — diesel power system at Nikolski during the summer of 2010. A
first trip provided test data of the main components and identified
deficiencies in the control, communications and electrical heating
configuration. The second trip addressed and corrected the communications
and electrical heating configuration. The control deficiencies were addressed,
but could not be completely corrected. Mostly stable operation of all system
elements were confirmed over a two week test period. During the test period
the wind turbine ran for over 70 hours. The system was left in an automatic
run mode.
During the Commissioning tests data was collected via the SCADA package
and is presented in the Appendix to this report as verification of mostly
stable system operation under a variety of wind conditions.
Although the hybrid power system was operational, it exhibited a number of
fault conditions, which in some cases caused loss of power to the village. The
faults were manually resettable from the powerhouse, but indicate a lower
system reliability and robustness than is desirable. The faults are primarily
a result of system control and communications delay deficiencies. Improved
performance and reliability could be achieved if these deficiencies were
addressed.
These faults can be traced back to the following issues
Control System
- Wind Turbine interface link to Control System
Is this WTinterface a Halus issue ar CPlissuO
TDX has worked for the last year to complete the installation of the wind
diesel power system using the major components provided by
wind turbine - Tribe
diesel gensets, controls and powerhouse - AEA 1 CPI
communication links and resistive heat elements - TDX
three phase distribution to turbine and lodge - TDX
We have commissioned all the components of that system. Remaining
concerns are the responsibility of AEA and CPT, which promised to provide a
functioning wind -diesel control system. TDX has never had responsibility for
these components, the control code or its design and implementation.
John Lyons, while wolkingfur TDX, traveled to CPI and worked with Mike
Dizard to design the controls.
Suggested Improvements
Improvements in system performance (efficiency, reliability and robustness)
could be obtained by addressing the observed deficiencies listed below.
Control System
➢ Power level signals inside the controller have a significant time
delay: on the order of 3 to 5 seconds.
➢ Controller response to vary the electrical heat to balance wind f
turbine output is too slow. �/
o Reverse power flow in powerhouse is worst -case example, which
has occurred numerous times.
➢ Controller code does not provide sufficient system stability in
turbulent wind environments.
➢ Controller allows sympathetic grid frequency oscillations that feed
the diesels and the wind turbine.
➢ Diesel dispatch code (switching from one genset to the other) has
suspect set -points and control algorithm for a wind -diesel
configuration.
Wind Turbine interface link to Control System.
➢ Control code cannot automatically command the wind turbine to
run or stop, only the wind turbine Web user interface in the
powerhouse can do that.
➢ Control code cannot reset faults registered at the wind turbine.
➢ Wind turbine has experienced over speed trips while operating.
This condition needs to be investigated to determine cause
o Extreme High power events
o Sensor fault
o Interaction or instability with grid frequency
Recommended Actions
Taking action on the above items should correct the current deficiencies
which in turn should lead to higher fuel savings and a more reliable, robust
system.. Testing and long term performance observations should be compiled
for validation and as a guide for continued performance