US 7,573,160 B2
Methods and apparatus for controlling windfarms and windfarms controlled thereby
Mark Edward Cardinal, Altamont, N.Y. (US); Jignesh Govindlal Gandhi, Simpsonville, S.C. (US); Andreas Kirchner, Wallenhorst (Germany); and Reinhard Brugger, Gronau (Germany)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Schenectady, N.Y. (US)
Filed on Jul. 20, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/185,474.
Prior Publication US 2007/0018510 A1, Jan. 25, 2007
Int. Cl. H02J 3/46 (2006.01); H02P 9/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 307—153  [307/57; 307/84] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for controlling power produced by a windfarm that includes a generator, said method comprising:
regulating active power produced by the windfarm in accordance with an apparent power setpoint, wherein regulating active power comprises manipulating a mechanical input to the generator; and
regulating a power factor of the windfarm in accordance with a power factor setpoint, except that, during periods in which the apparent power setpoint is approached or exceeded, reducing a magnitude of an angle of a power factor setpoint towards zero and regulating the power factor of the windfarm in accordance with the reduced power factor setpoint angle magnitude.