Patents by Inventor Germán Claudio Tarnowski

Germán Claudio Tarnowski has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11955800
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method of voltage control for at least one wind turbine generator configured to absorb and supply reactive power on demand, the method comprises: receiving a dispatch signal from a power plant controller indicating a reactive power set point; determining a terminal voltage level of the at least one wind turbine generator; generating a reactive power correction value based on a deviation of the terminal voltage level from a voltage set point; adjusting the reactive power set point by the reactive power correction value; and controlling the at least one wind turbine generator according to the adjusted reactive power set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Torsten Lund, Germán Claudio Tarnowski, John Godsk Nielsen, Per Hagen Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20240014753
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method for reducing high torque levels and/or high rates of change of torque in a wind turbine generator that comprises a machine-side converter and a line-side converter connected by a DC link, and, wherein the line-side converter is operated according to a virtual synchronous machine control scheme. The method comprises: determining a generator torque; determining a torque surplus indicating the amount that the generator torque exceeds a torque limit; determining an active power surplus corresponding to the torque surplus; controlling the line-side converter according to the virtual synchronous machine control scheme using an input parameter configured to reduce the active power output of the line side converter by the active power surplus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Torsten LUND, Hamid SOLTANI, Gert Karmisholt ANDERSEN, Germán Claudio TARNOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20230344231
    Abstract: A method for detecting power oscillation in an electric power grid, wherein the method comprises: integrating a filtered signal on a first interval, the filtered signal being associated with the electric power grid; based on the integration of the filtered signal on the first interval, determining a positive half-period area of the filtered signal and a negative half-period area of the filtered signal, one of the positive half-period area and negative half-period area being immediately subsequent to the other one; and determining that a power oscillation in the electric power grid is detected if the following two conditions are met: a sum of the positive half-period area of the filtered signal and the negative half-period area of the filtered signal is below a first threshold; and the absolute value of one of the positive half-period area and negative half-period area is above a second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Per Hagen NIELSEN, Lennart PETERSEN, Germán Claudio TARNOWSKI
  • Patent number: 11799290
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a power plant comprising a plurality of power producing units, the power plant being operatively connected to an associated power grid having a nominal grid frequency, the method comprising the steps of determining grid frequency variations of the associated power grid, and providing, in response to the determined grid frequency variations, an active power set-point to each of the plurality of power producing units, said active power set-point causing each of the plurality of power producing units to produce active power in response to said active power set-point, said produced active power comprising, in a frequency domain, one or more active power frequency components being different from one or more undesired frequency modes. The present invention also relates to a power plant controller for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Federico Rueda Londono, Germán Claudio Tarnowski
  • Publication number: 20230178988
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method of voltage control for at least one wind turbine generator configured to absorb and supply reactive power on demand, the method comprises: receiving a dispatch signal from a power plant controller indicating a reactive power set point; determining a terminal voltage level of the at least one wind turbine generator; generating a reactive power correction value based on a deviation of the terminal voltage level from a voltage set point; adjusting the reactive power set point by the reactive power correction value; and controlling the at least one wind turbine generator according to the adjusted reactive power set point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Torsten LUND, Germán Claudio TARNOWSKI, John Godsk NIELSEN, Per Hagen NIELSEN
  • Patent number: 11448187
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power system having a plurality wind turbine generators and a power plant controller arranged to communicate with the plurality of wind turbines generators, where each of the plurality of wind turbine generator being related to a wind turbine controller, the wind turbine controller being arranged to control an active power output in its related wind turbine generator according to an active power set point received from the wind power plant controller; a first subset of wind turbine generators operating at an active power output unrestricted of the active power set point; and a second subset of wind turbine generators operating according to an active power set point; and wherein the wind power plant controller communicates the active power set point, in accordance with the active power output of the first subset of the plurality of wind turbines generators, so as to reduce active power fluctuation of the aggregated active power output of the first and second subset of the plu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Germán Claudio Tarnowski
  • Patent number: 11415103
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power system having a plurality wind turbine generators and a power plant controller arranged to communicate with the plurality of wind turbines generators, where each of the plurality of wind turbine generator being related to a wind turbine controller, the wind turbine controller being arranged to control an active power output in its related wind turbine generator according to an active power set point received from the wind power plant controller; a first subset of wind turbine generators operating at an active power output unrestricted of the active power set point; and a second subset of wind turbine generators operating according to an active power set point; and wherein the wind power plant controller communicates the active power set point, in accordance with the active power output of the first subset of the plurality of wind turbines generators, so as to reduce active power fluctuation of the aggregated active power output of the first and second subset of the plu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Germán Claudio Tarnowski
  • Publication number: 20220149627
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a power plant comprising a plurality of power producing units, the power plant being operatively connected to an associated power grid having a nominal grid frequency, the method comprising the steps of determining grid frequency variations of the associated power grid, and providing, in response to the determined grid frequency variations, an active power set-point to each of the plurality of power producing units, said active power set-point causing each of the plurality of power producing units to produce active power in response to said active power set-point, said produced active power comprising, in a frequency domain, one or more active power frequency components being different from one or more undesired frequency modes. The present invention also relates to a power plant controller for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Federico Rueda LONDONO, Germán Claudio TARNOWSKI
  • Patent number: 11306701
    Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine is disclosed. During full load operation, a power reference value, Pref, representing a power level to be supplied to the power grid by the wind turbine, is received, and the wind turbine is controlled in order to produce an output power which is at or near the power reference value, Pref, while maintaining a constant torque on the generator. In the case that the produced output power of the wind turbine exceeds the power reference value, Pref, excess produced energy is stored in the energy storage system, and in the case that the produced output power of the wind turbine is below the power reference value, Pref, stored energy is retrieved from the energy storage system. A power level being equal to the power reference value, Pref, is supplied to the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Julio Xavier Vianna Neto, Germán Claudio Tarnowski, Mads Blumensaat, Torben Petersen, Søren Dalsgaard
  • Publication number: 20210172419
    Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine is disclosed. During full load operation, a power reference value, Pref, representing a power level to be supplied to the power grid by the wind turbine, is received, and the wind turbine is controlled in order to produce an output power which is at or near the power reference value, Pref, while maintaining a constant torque on the generator. In the case that the produced output power of the wind turbine exceeds the power reference value, Pref, excess produced energy is stored in the energy storage system, and in the case that the produced output power of the wind turbine is below the power reference value, Pref, stored energy is retrieved from the energy storage system. A power level being equal to the power reference value, Pref, is supplied to the power grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Julio Xavier Vianna NETO, Germán Claudio TARNOWSKI, Mads BLUMENSAAT, Torben PETERSEN, Søren DALSGAARD
  • Patent number: 10519931
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing an inertial response by a wind power system to power fluctuations in an electrical grid. The system includes a synthetic inertial response generator configured to generate a power offset in response to fluctuations in grid voltage. The power offset signal is generated by determining a quadrature component the grid voltage using an internal reference voltage having an angular frequency and phase angle that is synchronized to the electrical grid by a control loop. The quadrature component is used to determine a synchronous power level. A control loop error signal is produced by the difference between the synchronous power level and the wind turbine system power output. Changes in the grid frequency produce an error signal that is added to the power set point of wind turbine system output controllers to provide a power system inertial power output response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Germán Claudio Tarnowski
  • Publication number: 20190360461
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power system having a plurality wind turbine generators and a power plant controller arranged to communicate with the plurality of wind turbines generators, where each of the plurality of wind turbine generator being related to a wind turbine controller, the wind turbine controller being arranged to control an active power output in its related wind turbine generator according to an active power set point received from the wind power plant controller; a first subset of wind turbine generators operating at an active power output unrestricted of the active power set point; and a second subset of wind turbine generators operating according to an active power set point; and wherein the wind power plant controller communicates the active power set point, in accordance with the active power output of the first subset of the plurality of wind turbines generators, so as to reduce active power fluctuation of the aggregated active power output of the first and second subset of the plu
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventor: Germán Claudio TARNOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20190331092
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing an inertial response by a wind power system to power fluctuations in an electrical grid. The system includes a synthetic inertial response generator configured to generate a power offset in response to fluctuations in grid voltage. The power offset signal is generated by determining a quadrature component the grid voltage using an internal reference voltage having an angular frequency and phase angle that is synchronized to the electrical grid by a control loop. The quadrature component is used to determine a synchronous power level. A control loop error signal is produced by the difference between the synchronous power level and the wind turbine system power output. Changes in the grid frequency produce an error signal that is added to the power set point of wind turbine system output controllers to provide a power system inertial power output response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventor: Germán Claudio TARNOWSKI
  • Patent number: 10418925
    Abstract: A variable speed wind turbine is arranged to provide additional electrical power to counteract non-periodic disturbances in an electrical grid. A controller monitors events indicating a need to increase the electrical output power from the wind turbine to the electrical grid. The controller is arranged to control the wind turbine as follows: after an indicating event has been detected, the wind turbine enters an overproduction period in which the electrical output power is increased, wherein the additional electrical output power is taken from kinetic energy stored in the rotor and without changing the operation of the wind turbine to a more efficient working point. When the rotational speed of the rotor reaches a minimum value, the wind turbine enters a recovery period to re-accelerate the rotor to the nominal rotational speed while further contributing to the stability of the electrical grid by outputting at least a predetermined minimum electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Germán Claudio Tarnowski
  • Patent number: 10400752
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power system having a plurality wind turbine generators and a power plant controller arranged to communicate with the plurality of wind turbines generators, where each of the plurality of wind turbine generator being related to a wind turbine controller, the wind turbine controller being arranged to control an active power output in its related wind turbine generator according to an active power set point received from the wind power plant controller; a first subset of wind turbine generators operating at an active power output unrestricted of the active power set point; and a second subset of wind turbine generators operating according to an active power set point; and wherein the wind power plant controller communicates the active power set point, in accordance with the active power output of the first subset of the plurality of wind turbines generators, so as to reduce active power fluctuation of the aggregated active power output of the first and second subset of the plu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Germán Claudio Tarnowski
  • Publication number: 20190109552
    Abstract: A variable speed wind turbine is arranged to provide additional electrical power to counteract non-periodic disturbances in an electrical grid. A controller monitors events indicating a need to increase the electrical output power from the wind turbine to the electrical grid. The controller is arranged to control the wind turbine as follows: after an indicating event has been detected, the wind turbine enters an overproduction period in which the electrical output power is increased, wherein the additional electrical output power is taken from kinetic energy stored in the rotor and without changing the operation of the wind turbine to a more efficient working point. When the rotational speed of the rotor reaches a minimum value, the wind turbine enters a recovery period to re-accelerate the rotor to the nominal rotational speed while further contributing to the stability of the electrical grid by outputting at least a predetermined minimum electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventor: Germán Claudio Tarnowski
  • Patent number: 10193481
    Abstract: A variable speed wind turbine is arranged to provide additional electrical power to counteract non-periodic disturbances in an electrical grid. A controller monitors events indicating a need to increase the electrical output power from the wind turbine to the electrical grid. The controller is arranged to control the wind turbine as follows: after an indicating event has been detected, the wind turbine enters an overproduction period in which the electrical output power is increased, wherein the additional electrical output power is taken from kinetic energy stored in the rotor and without changing the operation of the wind turbine to a more efficient working point. When the rotational speed of the rotor reaches a minimum value, the wind turbine enters a recovery period to re-accelerate the rotor to the nominal rotational speed while further contributing to the stability of the electrical grid by outputting at least a predetermined minimum electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Germán Claudio Tarnowski
  • Publication number: 20190024634
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing an inertial response by a wind power system to power fluctuations in an electrical grid. The system includes a synthetic inertial response generator configured to generate a power offset in response to fluctuations in grid voltage. The power offset signal is generated by determining a quadrature component the grid voltage using an internal reference voltage having an angular frequency and phase angle that is synchronized to the electrical grid by a control loop. The quadrature component is used to determine a synchronous power level. A control loop error signal is produced by the difference between the synchronous power level and the wind turbine system power output. Changes in the grid frequency produce an error signal that is added to the power set point of wind turbine system output controllers to provide a power system inertial power output response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventor: Germán Claudio TARNOWSKI
  • Patent number: 10060414
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating an electrical power system, comprising at least one wind turbine generator and at least one other power source, the method comprises the steps of, setting a set of technical requirements and limits for the electrical power system, including a total power reserve and at least one of: maximum electrical frequency deviation and allowable wind power electrical frequency fluctuations, distributing the total power reserve between the at least one other power source and a total wind power capacity available from the at least one wind turbine generator, and calculating in response thereto an amount of power reserve from the at least one wind turbine generator, and providing settings for a wind power controller, the settings comprising the set of technical requirements and the amount of power reserve from the at least one wind turbine generator. The invention also relates to a power plant operating according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Germán Claudio Tarnowski
  • Patent number: 9915244
    Abstract: A method of operating a wind power plant, with at least one wind turbine generator connected to an electrical grid is provided. The method includes monitoring a frequency parameter and comparing it with a frequency set point, as to select a low or high frequency event and determining a power reference to the a least one wind turbine generator, based on the frequency parameter. In case a high frequency event is detected, the power reference is determined as a minimum of a selection of at least a first and a second minimum power reference. And in case a low frequency event is detected, the power reference is determined as a maximum of a selection of at least a first and a second maximum power reference, dispatching the power reference to the at least one wind turbine generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Germán Claudio Tarnowski