Adaptive control for networked renewable power plants

A power plant controller for a renewable power plant having a plurality of wind turbine generators and connected to a wider power network by a bus, wherein the controller comprises a processor, a memory, and an input/output system, and wherein the memory includes a set of program code instructions which when executed by the processor, implement an operation, comprising:

• identifying a predetermined voltage condition of the renewable power plant or of the bus;
• performing an operation iteratively until an end condition is detected, wherein the operation comprises:
• controlling the renewable power plant to maintain zero reactive power exchange at the bus for a first period;
• calculating an average voltage level of the bus that was achieved during the first period;
• and
• controlling the renewable power plant to maintain a voltage output at a set voltage level for a second period, the set voltage level being substantially equal to the calculated average voltage level, wherein a duration of the second period is reduced between a pair of consecutive iterations of the operation;
• and
• reverting to a previous control mode when the end condition is detected.

A method of operating a renewable power plant connected to a power network by a first bus, the method comprising:

• identifying a predetermined condition of the power network;
• performing an operation iteratively until the predetermined condition stops, wherein the operation comprises:
• measuring an active power output of the renewable power plant;
• identifying a predetermined natural voltage level of the power network that corresponds to the measured active power output;
• and
• controlling the renewable power plant to maintain a voltage output at a set voltage level that is substantially equal to a natural voltage level for a period of time, wherein the period of time is reduced between a pair of consecutive iterations of the operation;
• and
• reverting to a previous control mode when the predetermined condition stops.

A power plant controller for a power plant having a plurality of wind turbine generators, wherein the controller comprises a processor, a memory module, and an input/output system, and wherein the memory includes a set of program code instructions which when executed by the processor, implement an operation, comprising:

• identifying a predetermined voltage condition of the power plant or of a bus connecting the power plant to a wider power network;
• performing an operation iteratively until an end condition is detected, wherein the operation comprises:
• controlling the power plant to maintain zero reactive power exchange at the bus for a first period;
• calculating an average voltage level of the bus that was achieved during the first period;
• and
• controlling the power plant to maintain a voltage output at a set voltage level for a second period, the set voltage level being substantially equal to the calculated average voltage level, wherein a duration of the second period is reduced between a pair of consecutive iterations of the operation;
• and
• reverting to a previous control mode when the end condition is detected.