Probabilistic assessment of exergy analysis of a wind turbine for optimum performance

Abstract

The performance of a wind turbine depends on its first law efficiency and second law efficiency. This study focuses on the second law of efficiency, that is, the exergy efficiency of a wind turbine. This study introduces a novel technique for determining the optimum performance conditions of a wind turbine. Jhimpir City, Pakistan, was selected for the case study. The wind speed distribution in the selected area was analyzed using different probability density functions. The three-parameter Weibull distribution is the best probability density function for fitting wind speed variation. The probability distribution of the total wind exergy is performed, and a one-year variation of the wind exergy is plotted, showing the maximum exergy around the middle of the year. The exergy efficiency of the turbine using a power curve and wind exergy was determined at different wind speeds. The probabilities of the various exergy efficiencies were also determined. The results show that a high exergy efficiency has a high probability but so does low exergy efficiency owing to seasonal variations. The proposed method can be extended to any wind farm to determine the geographical and meteorological parameters of the site.