Behavior Of Wind Turbine Research Articles

MPPT Optimal Torque Control Strategy for a PMSG-based Wind Turbine Emulator

A wind turbine emulator is a valuable tool, which enables real-time physical simulation of a wind turbine behavior using a dedicated experimental test setup, providing a controlled environment for research and development purposes. One significant advantage of using this tool is its ability to test control algorithms designed to maximize power extraction from the wind turbine. This paper continues previous work on developing a small-scale variable-speed wind turbine emulator based on a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator for stand-alone applications (Benhacine et al., 2024). This paper presents enhancements made to the emulator. These improvements facilitate the assessment of a maximum power point tracking control strategy designed to optimize power extraction from the wind turbine.

Investigation on fixed pitch Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine

Small-scale Darrieus wind turbines have a wide scope in areas that are isolated from the power grid for such small-scale household applications. Applications of wind turbines on house roofs are one potential way to generate electricity from wind energy harvesting in low-wind urban locations. This work studies the aerodynamic behavior of a vertical axis wind turbine based on a MATLAB programming mathematical model. The NACA0021 airfoil profile blade was used in this present research investigation. The turbine was fabricated with dimensions such as chord length, c = 95 mm, blade height, h = 600 mm, and turbine diameter, D = 600 mm. The experimental results of the turbine for air velocity from 1 to 12 ms−1 were used in this paper and compared with analytical results. It has been observed that the fixed-pitch turbine does not start by itself at a low air velocity of 1 to 5 m/s due to a minimum and negative torque.

Turbine-Level Possible Power Prediction using Farm-Wide Spatial Information through Similarity-Based Multivariate Gaussians

Wind farms usually comprise several turbines of the same type in proximity to one another. Therefore, similarities exist between the power production of specific turbines within the wind farm over time. Considering this, it is possible to find a way to express the similarity between turbines and exploit their properties to find a formulation of the expected behavior of a turbine. With this estimation of possible power output, one can analyze the losses generated by curtailments or transients with a higher precision. Based on this, a probabilistic model is proposed that can be used to calculate energy losses due to maintenance or environmental reasons. On top of that, heavy deviations in the behavior of specific wind turbines can be detected on high-frequency (1-second) data. Overall, the goal of this work is to predict possible power on high-frequency SCADA data using a statistical white-box modeling approach. The presented method is based on a probabilistic framework, constructing a system of linear combinations that permits analytically tracking the expected behavior of a turbine, even if it is non-operational for a specific amount of time. The methodology includes two parts, the first one is the use of data-driven power curves, and the second one consists of an inferential framework based on the environmental conditions of the farm. Results show that the method presented performs better than the manufacturer’s power curves under specific wind speeds and wind directions.

Numerical and experimental validation of tribological phenomenon in wind turbine brake pads using novel Archard's wear coefficient

Designing effective mechanical brakes for wind turbines has been hindered by the historical reliance on simplistic criteria such as wear rate and friction coefficient for material selection. In this study, a novel approach to predicting wear rate was proposed, utilizing Archard's wear coefficient and considering factors such as material composition, hardness, sliding distance, and axial load. Furthermore, we developed a numerical model to simulate the tribological behavior of wind turbine brake pads, integrating the novel wear coefficient derived from a hybrid mathematical model with cubic and radial basis functions. This comprehensive approach bridges the gap between experimental data and theoretical insights, offering a robust framework for optimizing brake pad design and performance.

Wind Velocity Effect on the Aerodynamic and Acoustic Behavior of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

In this work we present a numerical study on the effect of wind velocity on the aerodynamic and acoustic behavior of a Savonius-type vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). The study focuses on the prediction of the torque coefficient for different flow velocities and rotational velocities of the wind turbine. We also present the triggering of the wake zone near the wind turbine blades to see the dynamic effect on the behavior of the wind turbine. The study of the numerical simulation is carried out using a fluent CFD calculation code using the finite volume method for the discretization of the differential equations. The equations governing the flow are solved by the SIMPLE algorithm using two K-epsilon turbulence models.

Measurement-driven large-eddy simulations of a diurnal cycle during a wake-steering field campaign

Abstract. High-fidelity flow modeling with data assimilation enables accurate representation of the wind farm operating environment under realistic, nonstationary atmospheric conditions. Capturing the temporal evolution of the turbulent atmospheric boundary layer is critical to understanding the behavior of wind turbines under operating conditions with simultaneously varying inflow and control inputs. This paper has three parts: the identification of a case study during a field evaluation of wake steering; the development of a tailored mesoscale-to-microscale coupling strategy that resolved local flow conditions within a large-eddy simulation (LES), using observations that did not completely capture the wind and temperature fields throughout the simulation domain; and the application of this coupling strategy to validate high-fidelity aeroelastic predictions of turbine performance and wake interactions with and without wake steering. The case study spans 4.5 h after midnight local time, during which wake steering was toggled on and off five times, achieving yaw offset angles ranging from 0 to 17°. To resolve nonstationary nighttime conditions that exhibited shear instabilities, the turbulence field was evolved starting from the diurnal cycle of the previous day. These background conditions were then used to drive wind farm simulations with two different models: an LES with actuator disk turbines and a steady-state engineering wake model. Subsequent analysis identified two representative periods during which the up- and downstream turbines were most nearly aligned with the mean wind direction and had observed yaw offsets of 0 and 15°. Both periods corresponded to partial waking on the downstream turbine, which had errors in the LES-predicted power of 4 % and 6 %, with and without wake steering. The LES was also able to capture conditions during which an upstream turbine wake induced a speedup at a downstream turbine and increased power production by up to 13 %.

Energy Management of Distribution-Level Integrated Electric-Gas Systems With Fast Frequency Reserve

This paper studies the energy management of distribution-level integrated electric-gas systems (D-IEGSs), considering their frequency support capability via providing the fast frequency reserve (FFR) service. The dynamics of the main grid frequency as well as frequency regulation behaviors of gas-fired turbines (GTs), power-to-gas (P2G) units, wind turbines (WTs) and Photovoltaic (PV) units in the D-IEGS are formulated, including the dead zone, limiting ranges, and the time constant of the governors. The impacts of frequency regulation behaviors of GTs and P2G units on the operation constraints of the D-IEGS are examined through a feasibility check sub-problem. Thus, the overall problem becomes a two-stage one, which is solved by the column-and-constraint generation (C&CG) algorithm. The variable-step difference and the binary variable reduction schemes are devised to decrease the computation burden. Simulation results on the IEGS with a 13-bus power network and a 6-node gas network verify the value of FFR provided by the D-IEGS and the necessity of modeling the operation constraints of the gas network.

Enhancing the Behavior of Small Scale Wind Turbine Based on Fuzzy Logic System

Enhancing the Behavior of Small Scale Wind Turbine Based on Fuzzy Logic System

The Ability of Convergent–Divergent Diffusers for Wind Turbines to Exploit Yawed Flows on Moderate-to-High-Slope Hills

Small-to-medium-sized wind turbines operate with wind speeds that are often modest, and it is therefore essential to exploit all possible means to concentrate the wind and thus increase the power extracted. The advantage that can be achieved by positioning the turbine on hilly reliefs, which act as natural diffusers, is well known, and some recent studies can be found on the effects of the characteristics of hilly terrain on the turbine performance. The literature shows numerous investigations on the behavior of ducted wind turbines, i.e., equipped with a diffuser. But so far, there is a lack of studies on the flow acceleration effects achievable by combining natural relief and a diffuser together. In this study, we analyze the performance of a 50 kW ducted turbine positioned on the top of hills of various shapes and slopes, with the aim of identifying the geometric characteristics of the diffuser most suitable for maximizing power extraction. The results show that a symmetrical convergent–divergent diffuser is well suited to exploit winds skewed by the slope of the hill, and therefore characterized by significant vertical velocity components. Due to its important convergent section, the diffuser is able to convey and realign the flow in the direction of the turbine axis. However, the thrust on the diffuser and therefore on the entire system increases dramatically, as does the turbulence released downwind.

Novel Control System Based in DSPs for 800 kW Wind Power Station.

Wind energy conversion is a very mature technology. Its applications are widely accepted all over the world. Consequently, a tendency to erect more wind turbines can be observed. Therefore, wind turbines may gradually start to replace the output of conventional generators in the future, specially during low load situations with much wind. The wind power has a huge potential to supply electrical power without generating pollution. It has the potential to provide many countries with more of one-third of their electricity demand. A novel control system for a variable speed wind turbine generator has been developed in order to improve the wind turbine behaviour, the hardware is based in two digital signals processors (DSPs) in parallel operation, first one is a TMS320VC33, which manages all the signal analysis, control strategies, the protection systems and mechanical behaviour, and second one is a TMS320LF2407, that controls the PC monitoring program communication, the chopper and inverter PWM devices, temperature measures, encoders velocity and the programmable logic controller communication. The conjunction of the variable speed constant-frequency operation with the digital signal processors capacities improves cost and reliability, low Harmonic distortion (THD), stresses reduction in the drive train, turbine efficiency, audible noise minimization, mechanical design, active power production, reactive production or absorption (leading or lagging power factor) and control strategies (PWM, for example).

Aerodynamic Characteristics of Wind Turbines Operating under Hazard Environmental Conditions: A Review

This paper provides a review of the aerodynamic behavior of horizontal axis wind turbines operating in hazardous environmental conditions. Over the past decade, renewable energy use has accelerated due to global warming, depleting fossil fuel reserves, and stricter environmental regulations. Among renewable options, solar and wind energy have shown economic viability and global growth. Horizontal axis wind turbines offer promising solutions for sustainable energy demand. Since wind turbines operate in an open environment, their efficiency depends on environmental conditions. Hazard environmental conditions, such as icing, rainfall, hailstorms, dust or sand, insects’ collisions, increased humidity, and sea spray, result in degraded aerodynamic characteristics. The outcome of most studies has been that the airfoils’ lift is degraded, and at the same time, drag is increased when wind turbines operate under these conditions. The objective of this review is to improve our comprehension of these crucial aspects so they are taken into account when designing wind turbine blades, and it offers suggestions for future research paths. It serves as a valuable resource that can inspire researchers who are dedicated to enhancing the aerodynamic characteristics of horizontal axis wind turbines.

Variable cross-sectional effect on bi-directional blades–tower–soil–structure dynamic interaction on offshore wind turbine subject to wind–wave loads

BackgroundThis study introduces a numerical model designed to simulate interactions occurring between a wind turbine's tower and the surrounding soil, as well as between the nacelle, blades, and the surrounding environment. This simulation accounts for both fore–aft and side-to-side movements. To describe these interactions, the model leverages the Euler–Lagrange equations. It calculates wave loads utilizing the Morison equation, with wave data generated based on the JONSWAP spectrum. Furthermore, aerodynamic loads are determined using the blade element moment theory, and the wind spectrum is generated using the Von Karman turbulence model. The tower is represented as a variable cross-sectional beam, employing a two-noded Euler beam element with two degrees of freedom: transverse displacement and rotation, and utilizing Hermite polynomial shape functions.ResultsIn a comparative analysis against experimental data, this modified model demonstrates significant enhancements in accurately reproducing the dynamic behavior of wind turbines with variable cross-sectional towers, outperforming models that approximate the tower with a constant cross section. Our findings reveal that the modified model achieves a remarkable improvement of 15% in replicating the tower's dynamic response when compared to the constant cross-sectional models. As a case study, a 5 MW monopile wind turbine with a flexible foundation, specifically the one provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is employed to simulate its dynamic response.ConclusionsThis research presents a robust numerical model for simulating wind turbine behavior in various environmental conditions. The incorporation of variable cross-sectional tower representation significantly improves the model's accuracy, making it a valuable tool for assessing wind turbine dynamics. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering tower flexibility in wind turbine simulations to enhance their real-world applicability.

Flow visualization by means of 3D thermography on yawing wind turbines

Thermographic flow visualization is an established tool for analyzing the actual flow behavior of real wind turbines in operation. While the laminar-turbulent flow transition as well as the beginning of flow separation can be localized in the thermographic image of a rotor blade, the corresponding positions on the 3d rotor blade surface are not yet known. To compensate the disturbing cross-influence of the wind turbine motion such as the yawing on the projected chord position of an identified flow feature, a geometric mapping algorithm of the 2d thermographic image on the 3d rotor blade is presented. With no geometric mapping, a significant error can occur depending on the camera location and orientation with respect to the location and orientation of the wind turbine. For the considered example, the maximal chord position error occurs for flow features at a relative chord location between 30% and 40%. If the yaw angle changes between ±30° and no correction is applied, the position error amounts up to ±17% of the chord length when the blade is observed above the nacelle. This example illustrates the necessity for an error correction. After its verification, the geometric mapping approach is applied on a thermographic image series from a field measurement campaign on a yawing wind turbine. For this purpose, the yaw angle is additionally measured with a laser scanner. In comparison with no geometric mapping, the corrected flow visualization of the laminar-turbulent transition during yawing reveals the actual mean chord location that is 20% of the chord length larger, a shift of the chord location that is almost one order of magnitude larger, and a chordwise location increase instead of a decrease. As a result, the geometry mapping is therefore considered applicable to advance thermographic flow visualization for the analysis of flow dynamics on yawing and pitching wind turbines, and in future even during one rotor revolution.

Doubly fed induction generator, with crow-bar system, under micro-interruptions fault

The work presented in this paper focuses on studying the application of doubly fed induction generators in wind energy production under micro-interruption fault. In this context, we set out to improve the performance of a wind turbine either from an energetic efficiency, or from the arrangement with behavioral of grid disturbances. To reach the maximum wind power extraction, wind turbine has to reduce their disconnection. For this reason grid operators impose, by theirs grid connection requirements, to wind turbine producer to support some grid disturbance. This paper deals with the behavior of wind turbine equipped with a Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) under micro-interruption. A scheme tolerant microinterruption is proposed. A control strategy of the Unified Power Flow Control (UPFC) using PI controller is presented. And finally fuzzy logic controller is illustrated and compared to PI controller.

Influence of Blade Flexibility on the Dynamic Behaviors of Monopile-Supported Offshore Wind Turbines

At present, monopile-supported offshore wind turbines (MOWTs) are widely used in offshore wind farms. The influence of blade flexibility on the dynamic behaviors of MOWTs excited by waves and earthquakes was investigated in this study. Numerical analysis models were established for 5 MW and 10 MW MOWTs, incorporating flexible and rigid blade configurations. The modes and natural frequencies of the full system were compared between these two numerical models, and their dynamic responses were evaluated under wave-only and earthquake-only excitations. It was revealed that the influence of blade flexibility on the first- and second-order modes of the system can be neglected. The dynamic response of these MOWTs under wave excitation can be predicted by the rigid blade model, where the maximum relative difference is less than 5%. However, higher-order modes of the system are significantly affected by the blade flexibility. Under high-frequency excitations, these higher-order modes of the system are remarkably stimulated. Additionally, a large relative difference, exceeding 50%, is detected when the rigid blade model is used to predict the seismic response of the two MOWTs. Consequently, the blade flexibility should be adequately modeled when predicting the dynamic response of OWTs.

Numerical investigation of blade roughness impact on the aerodynamic performance and wake behavior of horizontal axis wind turbine

The prolonged operation of wind turbines in harsh offshore environments leads to deterioration and roughness accumulation on the blade surface. This roughness, particularly on the leading edge and other surfaces, can affect the laminar-to-turbulent transition, alter the flow characteristics in the turbine wake and turbulent boundary layer, and become critical for the accurate design and performance analysis of offshore horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT). This study investigates the effects of blade surface roughness on the aerodynamic performance and wake evolution of the NREL Phase VI wind turbine rotor using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) technique. First, 2D simulations are validated against experimental data of the S809 airfoil. Then, full-scale 3D simulations of the complete turbine model are conducted with roughness effects to simulate natural conditions. The results show that surface roughness reduces the blade’s aerodynamic performance. The rough surface increases the boundary layer thickness, causing flow separation and turbulence, which decrease the lift generated by the blade and increase its drag, resulting in decreased overall blade performance. At higher wind speeds, surface roughness has a negligible effect on turbine performance due to flow separation at the leading edge. The analysis of surface roughness effects on the turbine wake flow indicates that blade roughness positively correlates with wake recovery, where the wake velocity recovers faster with an increase in roughness height.

Experimental study on the evolution of wind turbine wake under streamwise pressure gradients

Wind tunnel experiments were conducted to explore how streamwise pressure gradients, commonly encountered in complex terrains, influence the wake behavior of a small-scale horizontal-axis wind turbine. The study involved measuring the wake characteristics up to 8 rotor diameters downstream in three pressure gradient scenarios: adverse (APG), favourable (FPG), and zero (ZPG) pressure gradients, assessed using the pressure coefficient (Cp) and its spatial gradient (ΔCp/Δx). These experiments were conducted at a rotor diameter Reynolds number of 96,000 with an inflow velocity of 10 m/s. The results indicate that while the pressure gradients have a more substantial impact on the wake’s velocity deficit, they have a minor effect on its velocity distribution. Nevertheless, non-zero pressure gradients cause significant deformations in the wake’s shape and vertical displacement of its center. Specifically, the FPG case demonstrates enhanced wake velocity recovery, whereas the APG case exhibits slower recovery than the ZPG case. Turbulent kinetic energy decreases as the wake progresses downstream in all cases, with the APG case consistently showing higher values at all measurement locations. Moreover, a consistent pattern of axial vorticity is observed close to the rotor across different pressure gradient cases, with the FPG case displaying notable organisation and amplification of axial vorticity.

A STUDY OF PERFORMANCE OF DFIG BASED MICROGRID SUBJECTED TO DISTURBANCES

The integration of wind energy into the electrical grid has become increasingly essential in our pursuit of sustainable and renewable energy sources. The research employs techniques to capture the complex dynamics of DFIG wind turbines, encompassing the rotor, drivetrain, and electrical subsystems. This analysis provides critical information for designing control strategies that enhance the stability and performance of grid-connected wind turbines. Furthermore, the inclusion of a detailed model allows us to investigate the mechanical aspects of the turbine. This holistic approach not only enhances our understanding of the system but also aids in the development of strategies to mitigate disturbance and improve the overall reliability of wind turbines. The findings of this study contribute to the optimization of grid connected DFIG wind turbines, making them more resilient and efficient in harnessing wind energy. As renewable energy sources continue to play a pivotal role in the global energy landscape, a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic behavior of wind turbines is essential for achieving a sustainable and reliable power supply. Key Words: MCDM; AHP; TOPSIS; MOORA; HRES.

Numerical investigation of rotational speed effects on flow separation and boundary layer dynamics in ducted wind turbines

In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive numerical investigation of a ducted wind turbine under various rotational speeds, focusing on aspects such as boundary layer thickness and momentum thickness. Our study utilizes advanced computational fluid dynamics techniques to assess the intricate flow characteristics and aerodynamics of the ducted wind turbine, providing a detailed understanding of its operation under different speed conditions. The primary objectives are to comprehend the effect of the wind turbine’s rotational speed on the boundary layer thickness and the momentum thickness, two crucial parameters influencing the turbine’s performance and efficiency. Our findings reveal a significant correlation between the increase in rotational speed and the growth of flow separation, a phenomenon typically indicated by an expansion in the area of negative wall shear stress. This research contributes valuable insights into the behavior of ducted wind turbines at varying rotational speeds, and the acquired knowledge could potentially be utilized in designing and improving wind turbine systems to achieve better performance and enhanced operational efficiency.

Effects of the Reynolds number and reduced frequency on the aerodynamic performance and dynamic stall behaviors of a vertical axis wind turbine

Dynamic stall is the main reason for the low power efficiency of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) at low tip speed ratios, where the utilizable wind kinetic energy is also high. However, the determining factors behind VAWT dynamic stall have not been adequately investigated. Therefore, we carefully investigated VAWT dynamic stall under the different Reynolds numbers (Re) and reduced frequencies (k). The unsteady flow characteristics are identified using transitional URANS simulations. Although the blade undergoes significant vortex movements during each revolution, the output power is primarily determined by the aerodynamic responses close to the onset of dynamic stall. Increasing Re and k can impact dynamic stall behaviors significantly and also improve VAWT performance effectively. As both Re and k increase, the onset of dynamic stall is progressively postponed to a higher angle of attack, effectively suppressing the separated flow. Dynamic stall behaviors are therefore changed from abrupt stall to moderate stall with attenuated laminar separation bubble (LSB) bursting and dynamic stall vortex (DSV) shedding. An increase in Re hardens the LSB and prevents the DSV formation due to strong inertial forces, particularly at low Re. On the other hand, increasing k slows the flow-field transitions and delays the onset of LSB bursting and DSV shedding, particularly at high k.