Dynamic behavior of wind turbines. An on-board evaluation technique to monitor fatigue

Abstract

The evaluation of fatigue behavior of wind turbines, that is of supporting structures, blades or gear boxes, is always performed off-line, by post processing experimental acquisitions or simulation results. Moreover, the evaluation of potentiality of smart controls, that have the aim to avoid failures by reducing loads and consequently fatigue stresses, is performed in the same way.In this paper is presented a tool that allows to on-line evaluate and foresight fatigue potential damage by simply on time processing reference signals such as tower top acceleration (typical experimental acquisition) or tower base bending moment (typical numerical measure).This evaluation technique is converted into a well know numerical code, oriented to control systems (Simulink), to be used into multibody simulation by co-simulation approach. This step allowed to verify its capabilities and the possibility to realize its physical prototype and to use its results as input variable for active control strategies oriented to minimize damage.As test case a standard 5 MW wind turbine and a classical control logic were used.