A Simple Method of Estimating Wind Turbine Blade Fatigue at Potential Wind Turbine Sites

Abstract

This paper presents a technique of estimating blade fatigue damage at potential wind turbine sites. The cornerstone of this technique is a simple model for the blade’s root flap bending moment. The model requires as input a simple set of wind measurements that may be obtained as part of a routine site characterization study. By using the model to simulate a time series of the root flap bending moment, fatigue damage rates may be estimated at the potential wind energy sites. The model is evaluated by comparing these estimates with damage estimates derived from actual bending moment data; the agreement between the two is good. Data from two different turbine types were used for the evaluation. For each type the model was tested at only one site because data from other sites were not available. To more firmly establish the universality of the model, further evaluation is necessary using the model applied to the same turbine located at different sites.