Wind turbine vibration management: An integrated analysis of existing solutions, products, and Open-source developments

Abstract

The renewable energy sector witnesses increased demand due to energy crises and climate change. Wind energy, in particular, is promising for reducing fossil fuel dependence and attracting global investments. Developing renewable energy can lead to high-performance processes, decarbonise the economy, create jobs, and promote sustainable energy generation, benefiting the environment and socioeconomic. Therefore, the increasing demand for wind energy presents challenges in efficiently connecting wind power, managing electrical systems, and designing larger turbines. Wind turbines are energy generator systems with advanced technology. To meet the demand, projects must optimise for different environments, which can be costly due to the lack of knowledge and uncertainties. Vibration and dynamic instability are still persistent issues holding a few limitations of turbine technology. A reliable wind turbine represents economic and effective energy production. Over the years, various control systems have been developed to attenuate and mitigate vibration on wind turbines. This paper provides a critical and up-to-date review of wind turbine vibration issues and control strategies, offering an integrated analysis of developments from 2015 to the present. The review encompasses a comprehensive examination of the challenges of wind turbine vibrations and explores both existing and emerging solutions, including product devices and open-source innovations, providing a contemporary frame of reference to facilitate future research and the development of dynamic and vibration control techniques in the context of wind energy.