Experimental investigation of wind turbine stress and power characteristics under dynamic changes in wind direction

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ABSTRACT The dynamic inlet conditions of variable wind direction had an obvious influence on the response of wind turbine stress and power, and accurately analyzing their changing characteristics is of great significance to enhancing wind turbines’ stability and efficient operation. Experiments were performed in a wind tunnel, where the wind turbine was mounted on a rotating platform to simulate dynamic changes in wind direction at prescribed speeds and angles. The wind turbine’s stress and power were measured. Results show that the stress was minimally reduced by 4.4% (tower) and 1.7% (blade) when the wind direction change angle was small. Maximum stress reduction of 92% (tower) and 93% (blade) with increasing wind direction change angle. As the wind direction change speed increased, the magnitude of the drop in blade stress decreased by 6% ~32%. The decrease in power coefficient and rotational speed at small wind direction change angles and large wind direction change speeds were not significant, and the fluctuations were more obvious. The coupling of aerodynamic deterioration and inertial effects during dynamic changes in wind direction was one of the main reasons for the variations in the wind turbine power and stress response.