{"title":"Towards an Integrated Design of Direct-Drive Wind Turbine Electrical Generator Supporting Structures","authors":"Lucas Touw, Pablo Jaen Sola, E. Oterkus","doi":"10.3390/wind3030020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3030020","url":null,"abstract":"Rotor and stator support structures of significant size and mass are required to withstand the considerable loads that direct-drive wind turbine electrical generators face to maintain an air-gap clearance that is open and stable. With the increase of scale, reducing the weight and environmental impact of these support structures is believed to be one of the key components to unlocking the true potential of direct-drive generators. An investigation on the electrical generator rotor structure of the IEA 15 MW offshore reference wind turbine was conducted. An integrated approach that considered the environmental impact, including the manufacturing energy usage and CO2 footprint, as well as the financial repercussions of structural parameter modifications as they are optimised was followed, making use of distinct commercial pieces of software. The rotor structure was parametrically optimised, and its operating loading conditions were evaluated at various size scales. The study determined that the effect of thermal loading is significant, which forces the designer to augment the mass to comply with the imposed structural requirements. The ensuing life-cycle assessment showed an increase in the environmental impact due to the consideration of this particular load, whose effect in structural deflection and stress has been typically underestimated.","PeriodicalId":51210,"journal":{"name":"Wind and Structures","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76573235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vahid Akbari, M. Naghashzadegan, R. Kouhikamali, W. Yaïci
{"title":"Evaluation of Regional Elevation and Blade Density Effects on the Efficiency of a 1-kW Wind Turbine for Operation in Low-Wind Counties in Iran","authors":"Vahid Akbari, M. Naghashzadegan, R. Kouhikamali, W. Yaïci","doi":"10.3390/wind3030019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3030019","url":null,"abstract":"This research investigates the effect of blade density and elevation above sea level on the startup time (Ts) and power coefficient (Cp) of a 1-kW two-bladed wind turbine. The study uses three Iranian hardwoods as the blade material and four counties of Iran with low wind speeds and different elevations as the case studies. The BW-3 airfoil is considered as the blade profile. A multi-objective optimization process with the aid of the differential evolution (DE) algorithm is utilized to specify the chord length and twist angle. The findings demonstrate that, while the maximum Cp of the optimal blades designed with all three types of wood is high and equal to 0.48, the average Ts of the optimal blades designed with oak and hornbeam wood is 84% and 108% higher than that of alder wood, respectively. It is also observed that, while raising the elevation to 2250 m decreases the Cp by only 2.5%, the ideal blade designed to work at sea level could not manage to start rotating at a height of 1607 m and above. Finally, an improvement in the Ts and Cp was observed by performing optimization based on the local atmospheric conditions associated with the incrementing blade chord length at high elevations.","PeriodicalId":51210,"journal":{"name":"Wind and Structures","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73406618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Validation of Wind Turbine Models Based on Test Bench Measurements: A System for Theoretical Representation of the Grid Replica","authors":"A. Frehn, Jens Sdun, R. Grune, A. Monti","doi":"10.3390/wind3030018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3030018","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, nacelle test benches for wind turbines have been developed internationally. New standards are currently being developed that explicitly refer to the measurement of the electrical properties of wind turbines on these test benches. Thus, they are suitable for measuring the electrical properties required for certification. Another part of the certification is the creation and validation of suitable models of the wind turbine, which are used for stability analyses of the utility grid. Validation requires a suitable model of grid replication on the test benches, which is not yet covered by any applicable standard. Such models should be as simplified a representation of the artificial grid replication as possible to ensure that they are accessible to certification bodies. A model of the grid emulator installed at the CWD of RWTH Aachen University, which was validated with real measurement data, serves as a reference. A step-by-step reduction of the model’s depth up to the system’s technical representation is followed by a model evaluation with respect to the level of detail and an analysis of time and frequency. The evaluation shows that even a highly simplified model consisting of a reference voltage and an impedance replica meets the requirements for the validation of wind turbine models according to IEC 61400-27-2.","PeriodicalId":51210,"journal":{"name":"Wind and Structures","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86384230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bethany G. Thurber, R. Kilpatrick, Graeme H. Tang, C. Wakim, J. Zimmerling
{"title":"Economic Impacts of Curtailing Wind Turbine Operations for the Protection of Bat Populations in Ontario","authors":"Bethany G. Thurber, R. Kilpatrick, Graeme H. Tang, C. Wakim, J. Zimmerling","doi":"10.3390/wind3030017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3030017","url":null,"abstract":"Wind energy is a growing industry in Canada to meet the demand for a renewable supply of energy. However, wind turbine operation represents a high mortality risk for bat populations, and regulators often require that steps are taken to mitigate this risk. The result is concern among operators about lost revenue potential. This study was, therefore, designed to estimate the theoretical financial impact of curtailing turbine operations to mitigate for bat mortality for all wind farms that were constructed and operating in Ontario, Canada, as of 1 January 2020 (n = 87 wind farms). Empirical data from the Canadian Wind Farm SCADA and meteorological systems are not publicly available; thus, we were compelled to use data from the Canadian Wind Turbine database, the Environment and Climate Change Canada Wind Atlas, and the Independent Electricity System Operator to calculate the total theoretical energy production for all wind turbines in the province using manufacturer power curves and a measure–correlate–predict linear regression method. We estimated the financial impacts for all wind farms on the assumption that operations were curtailed when the Wind Atlas modelled local wind speed was <5.5 m/s between 6 pm of one day and 6 am the following day, between 15 July and 30 September, using the lower and upper limits of power-purchase agreement rates for Ontario wind farms: 115 and 150 CAD/MWh. We used generalized linear modelling to test whether the variability in production loss was predicted based on factors related to turbine design and site wind speeds. We estimated that total annual wind energy production would be reduced from 12.09 to 12.04 TWh if all Ontario wind farms implemented operational curtailment, which is equivalent to a difference of 51.2 GWh, or 0.42%. Production loss was related to turbine cut-in speeds and average site wind speeds recorded between 15 July and 30 September. The estimated profit losses were 6.79 ± 0.9 million CAD compared to estimated earnings of 1.6 ± 0.21 billion CAD, which suggests that mitigating bat mortality may represent a small cost to the industry relative to the conservation benefits for bat populations.","PeriodicalId":51210,"journal":{"name":"Wind and Structures","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74797501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigation and Optimisation of High-Lift Airfoils for Airborne Wind Energy Systems at High Reynolds Numbers","authors":"D. Fischer, B. Church, C. Nayeri, C. Paschereit","doi":"10.3390/wind3020016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3020016","url":null,"abstract":"The potential of airfoil optimisation for the specific requirements of airborne wind energy (AWE) systems is investigated. Experimental and numerical investigations were conducted at high Reynolds numbers for the S1223 airfoil and an optimised airfoil with thin slat. The optimised geometry was generated using the NSGA-II optimisation algorithm in conjunction with 2D-RANS simulations. The results showed that simultaneous optimisation of the slat and airfoil is the most promising approach. Furthermore, the choice of turbulence model was found to be crucial, requiring appropriate transition modeling to reproduce experimental data. The k-ω-SST-γ-Reθ model proved to be most suitable for the geometries investigated. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted with high aspect ratio model airfoils, using a novel structural design, relying mostly on 3D-printed airfoil segments. The optimised airfoil and slat geometry showed significantly improved maximum lift and a shift of the maximum power factor to higher angles of attack, indicating good potential for use in AWE systems, especially at higher Reynolds numbers. The combined numerical and experimental approach proved to be very successful and the overall process a promising starting point for future optimisation and investigation of airfoils for AWE systems.","PeriodicalId":51210,"journal":{"name":"Wind and Structures","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73271793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Frequency Response of RC Propellers to Streamwise Gusts in Forward Flight","authors":"Jielong Cai, Sidaard Gunasekaran","doi":"10.3390/wind3020015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3020015","url":null,"abstract":"The RC propeller performance under steady and sinusoidally time-varying freestream (stream-wise or longitudinal gust) was investigated in the University of Dayton Low-Speed Wind Tunnel (UD-LSWT) in the open-jet configuration. The propellers were tested at varying incidence angles and reduced frequencies. The streamwise gust was created by actuating the shuttering system located at the test section exit and was characterized using hot-wire anemometry. A system identification model was developed for the shuttering system to determine the shutter actuation profile that would result in a sinusoidal gust in the test section. Changes in propeller thrust, power, and pitching moment were observed with an increase in propeller incidence angle under the steady freestream. The propeller’s steady freestream performance was then used to predict response under periodic streamwise gusts in edgewise flight. Below a reduced frequency of 0.2, the propeller response agrees with the prediction model, suggesting that the propeller response is quasi-steady. At reduced frequencies higher than 0.2, a reduction in mean thrust and pitching moment and significant phase lag was observed.","PeriodicalId":51210,"journal":{"name":"Wind and Structures","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86022455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Samuel dos Santos Bettoni, H. O. Ramos, Frederico F. V. Matos, V. F. Mendes
{"title":"Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Converter Applied to a Wind Energy Conversion System with Open-End Winding","authors":"Samuel dos Santos Bettoni, H. O. Ramos, Frederico F. V. Matos, V. F. Mendes","doi":"10.3390/wind3020014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3020014","url":null,"abstract":"With the growing expansion of renewable sources around the world, wind energy is among those that stand out. With the advances of technology, wind turbine projects have considerably increased their power, reaching higher power, mainly for offshore installations. One of the main challenges is the power converters, more specifically the semiconductor components, which have limited voltage and current capabilities. Thus, the concept of multilevel converters emerged, increasing the voltage levels and thus carrying higher power levels. In addition to the application of multilevel converters, it is possible to increase the voltage and power levels employing an open-end winding (OEW) connection to the generator. In this context, the present work investigated the application of a multilevel converter (three-level cascaded H-bridge back-to-back) driving a squirrel-cage induction machine in an open-end winding configuration, connected to a wind energy conversion system (WECS). The analysis of the proposed system was developed through dynamic simulation of a 1.67 MW WECS, using PLECS software, including the modeling of the main system components: generator, power converters, system control, filter, and grid connection. The results show that the objective of obtaining a 5-level behavior in the output voltage is achieved by using the OEW connection. Furthermore, a low harmonic content is achieved in the machine current as in the current injected into the grid. In addition, it is possible to verify the power distribution between the converters, demonstrating that converters with smaller power can be combined to reach higher WECS power.","PeriodicalId":51210,"journal":{"name":"Wind and Structures","volume":"90 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83546719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Wind Speed Forecast for Sudan Using the Two-Parameter Weibull Distribution: The Case of Khartoum City","authors":"Abubaker Younis, Hazim Elshiekh, Duaa Osama, Gamar Shaikh-Eldeen, Amin Elamir, Yassir Yassin, Ali Omer, Elfadil Biraima","doi":"10.3390/wind3020013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3020013","url":null,"abstract":"In this quick study, we estimated the Weibull distribution’s parameters using wind data collected between March 2017 and January 2018 using a twelve-meter mast meteorological station on the grounds of the National Energy Research Center in Khartoum. In order to quantify these descriptors, we relied on analytical and stochastic methods, subsequently enabling specialists from researchers, engineers, decision-makers, and policymakers to apprehend the wind characteristics in the vicinity. Hence, the computed scale and shape parameters were provided, in which the Firefly algorithm (FA) resulted in the most accuracy in terms of the coefficient of determination, which equaled 0.999, which we considered logical due to the observed nonlinearity in the wind speed numbers. On the contrary, the energy pattern factor method had the worst prediction capability depending on several goodness-of-fit metrics. This concise work is unique because it is the first to use data from Sudan to forecast local wind speeds using artificial intelligence algorithms, particularly the FA technique, which is widely used in solar photovoltaic modeling. Additionally, since classic estimating approaches act differently spatially, evaluating their efficacy becomes innovative, which was accomplished here. On a similar note, a weighted-average wind speed was found to equal 4.98 m/s and the FA average wind speed was 3.73 m/s, while the rose diagram indicated that most winds with potential energy equivalent to 3 m/s or more blow from the north.","PeriodicalId":51210,"journal":{"name":"Wind and Structures","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87391204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Numerical Investigation of Aerodynamic Performances for NREL 5-MW Offshore Wind Turbine","authors":"Qiqin Zhang, Xiuling Wang","doi":"10.3390/wind3020012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3020012","url":null,"abstract":"As one of the preferred types of renewable energy, wind energy is rapidly growing. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive and in-depth numerical analysis on the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) 5-MW offshore wind turbine to help understand the wind turbine’s aerodynamic features. In this research, the preprocessing was conducted by using SolidWorks modeling, and a realizable k-ε viscous model from ANSYS/FLUENT was used as the solver in the CFD simulation. Eight test cases were developed, and fixed inlet velocity 9 m/s was set as the baseline case. After the initial mesh independent study and model validation, a detailed numerical analysis was carried out. The results of near wake flow features, torque and thrust, pressure and pressure coefficient distribution, limiting streamline along wind turbine blades, power coefficient as a function of tip speed ratio were evaluated. Whenever possible, simulation results were compared with data in the literature (numerical or experimental), and good agreement was observed. The detailed wind turbine aerodynamic analysis results are expected to provide valuable input to wind turbine design and thus to improve the effectiveness of harnessing wind energy. Research is on the way to further understanding the influence of different inflow conditions on the aerodynamic characteristics.","PeriodicalId":51210,"journal":{"name":"Wind and Structures","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74036605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marieli Azoia Lukiantchuki, Alessandra Rodrigues Prata Shimomura, Fernando Marques da Silva, R. Caram
{"title":"Shed Roof Air Extractors and Collectors: Design Guidelines for Natural Ventilation in Generic Models","authors":"Marieli Azoia Lukiantchuki, Alessandra Rodrigues Prata Shimomura, Fernando Marques da Silva, R. Caram","doi":"10.3390/wind3020011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3020011","url":null,"abstract":"Most of the Brazilian territory is classified as a hot and humid climate, whose natural ventilation is one of the most important passive design strategies. The use of this strategy can be enhanced in the design through the shed roof air collectors or extractors. However, this strategy is not exploited by architecture design, due to the designers’ lack of knowledge about the efficiency of these devices. The article’s aim is to present guidelines for the design of shed roof air extractors and collectors, seeking to help designers to use these devices in buildings. The method is parametric studies, through CFD simulations. For the shed roof air extractors and collectors, the following is recommended: aerodynamic geometries; building with less depth and large air outlet openings. The increase in the number of sheds influences ventilation more than the change in the geometry of the sheds. For extraction, the area of the air outlet openings is the parameter that exerts the greatest influence on ventilation. For collection, the increase in the sizes of the openings of the sheds, without changing other parameters, does not significantly increase the air speed.","PeriodicalId":51210,"journal":{"name":"Wind and Structures","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80742482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}