Wind Energy Production Research Articles

Forest gaps around wind turbines attract bat species with high collision risk

The global demand for renewable energy has led to an expansion of wind energy production at forested sites. The deployment and operation of turbines requires the clearing of forest areas, resulting in significant habitat changes. To assess the consequences of these changes for forest-associated bats, we measured the acoustic activity of three foraging guilds at turbine clearings, adjacent forest edges, and above nearby closed forests. Open-space and edge-space foraging bats were more active at turbine clearings and forest edges than above closed forests. Similarly, narrow-space foraging bats tended to be more active at turbine clearings than above closed forests. Open-space and edge-space foraging bats are known to be at high risk of colliding with wind turbines and their increased activity at forest gaps around turbines may increase casualties for these guilds. Operation of wind turbines in forests may therefore require longer shutdown periods to prevent legally protected bats from colliding with turbines. Although this may impair the energy yield of wind turbines in forests, such preventive conservation measures will ultimately contribute to a sustainable transition from fossil to renewable energy sources which factors in biodiversity conservation.

Smoothing Intermittent Output Power in Grid-Connected Doubly Fed Induction Generator Wind Turbines with Li-Ion Batteries

Wind energy is an increasingly important renewable resource in today’s global energy landscape. However, it faces challenges due to the unpredictable nature of wind speeds, resulting in intermittent power generation. This intermittency can disrupt power grid stability when integrating doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs). To address this challenge, we propose integrating a Li-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) with the direct current (DC) link of grid-connected DFIGs to mitigate power fluctuations caused by variable wind speed conditions. Our approach entails meticulous battery modeling, sizing, and control methods, all tailored to match the required output power of DFIG wind turbines. To demonstrate how well our Li-ion battery solution works, we have developed a MATLAB/Simulink R2022a version model. This model enables us to compare situations with and without the Li-ion battery in various operating conditions, including steady-state and dynamic transient scenarios. We also designed a buck–boost bidirectional DC-DC converter controlled by a proportional integral controller for battery charging and discharging. The battery actively monitors the DC-link voltage of the DFIG wind turbine and dynamically adjusts its stored energy in response to the voltage level. Thus, DFIG wind turbines consistently generate 1.5 MW of active power, operating with a highly efficient power factor of 1.0, indicating there is no reactive power produced. Our simulation results confirm that Li-ion batteries effectively mitigate power fluctuations in grid-connected DFIG wind turbines. As a result, Li-ion batteries enhance grid power stability and quality by absorbing or releasing power to compensate for variations in wind energy production.

A More Meticulous Method for Modeling Renewable Energy Storage Capacity

Parzen window estimation technique promises greater accuracy, and profit, for wind and solar energy production

Multi-Energy Cooperative Primary Frequency Regulation Analysis of a Hybrid Plant Station for Wind Power and Hydrogen Production Based on Ensemble Empirical-Mode Decomposition Algorithm

Wind curtailment and inadequate grid-connected frequency regulation capability are the main obstacles preventing wind power from becoming more permeable. The electric hydrogen production system can tackle the wind curtailment issue by converting electrical energy into hydrogen energy under normal operating circumstances. It can be applied as a load-reducing method during frequency regulation to help the system restore the power balance. First, this study proposes the concept of a hybrid plant station that combines the production of hydrogen and wind energy. This plant station will be referred to as a hybrid station with centralized hydrogen production and distributed energy storage. By mimicking the synchronous generator’s frequency control features, the primary frequency regulation mechanism of a hybrid plant station is examined. Secondly, due to the frequency regulation requirements of the power grid’s full-time domain hybrid power station, this paper proposes a hybrid plant station control strategy based on the EEMD variable parameter control algorithm. In frequency regulation power, the electric hydrogen production device load reduction responds to the low-frequency component, and the supercapacitor responds to the high-frequency component. The impact of the dynamic characteristics of alkaline electrolyzers on the frequency regulation effect is analyzed in this article, along with a comparison of the matching of various energy storage devices and electrolyzers in power grid frequency regulation. Finally, the feasibility and soundness of the proposed control strategy are confirmed by creating a simulation model representing a hybrid plant station involved in primary frequency management under various operational scenarios.

Optimization of Offshore Wind Power Generation in Response to the 2022 Extreme Drought in Portugal

Portugal, in line with the European Union, is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 (Net Zero), which implies a transition to sustainable energy sources. Climate change is all too evident, as extreme weather periods are occurring in a cyclical manner with greater brevity to such an extent that the grid operator must deal with production scenarios where it can no longer rely on hydroelectric production given the recurring drought situation. This situation increases dependence on thermal production using natural gas and imports. This has significant economic implications. Portugal has exploited its onshore wind potential, reaching an installed capacity of 5.671 MW by 2022. However, the expansion of onshore wind energy is limited to reinforcing the existing infrastructure. To overcome these challenges, it is necessary to expand the exploitation of the offshore wind potential that is already underway. This article proposes the location of offshore wind production platforms along the Portuguese coast. This allows for an analysis of offshore production and its optimization according to the minimum cost per MWh in the face of extreme scenarios, i.e., in periods of extreme drought where the hydroelectric production capacity is practically non-existent. The model is fed by using market price indications and the amount of energy needed for the following day. Using forecast data, the model adapts offshore wind production for the following day according to the minimization of the average market price. This study presents an optimization model adapted to combat the unpredictability of extreme weather conditions. This strategic framework significantly increases the resilience and reliability of offshore wind energy production, marking a significant advance in the management of renewable energy under the pressure of climate variability. The results of the simulations allow us to conclude that despite the high cost of offshore technology (in deep waters), in extreme climate scenarios, it enables cost reduction and a clear decrease in imports.

Offshore wind energy policy paths: A comparative analysis of Denmark and Germany

Offshore wind energy is getting more attention from governments. Germany had the third rank among all countries in total offshore wind energy capacity at the end of 2022. Denmark, having less land area but a good location for offshore wind power, had the fourth rank. Both countries' offshore wind energy sectors have significant roles globally. This paper aims to explore the development paths of offshore wind energy policy in Denmark and Germany and understand the developmental differences. The trends in offshore wind energy production and the evolving policies of the governments are analysed, by comparing the two countries. Most of the policies in Denmark and Germany resulted positively, and their policy paths were sim- ilar with some nuance. The research concludes that a governmental policy strategy and a flex- ible support mechanism are the keys to developing an innovative offshore wind energy sector.

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.

CMIP6 projections for global offshore wind and wave energy production (2015–2100)

Three-hourly CMIP6 projections have been used in conjuction with the CSIRO WaveWatchIII wave model to calculate the global trends in offshore wind and wave energy for the SSP585 and SSP126 scenarios until 2100. The results indicate that moderate yet significant changes are expected in the theoretical electricity generated from wind and waves at fewer than 10–15% of coastal locations. While this implies a generally stable outlook for the future, certain coastal regions with existing or planned wind farms may experience a slight reduction in production by 2100. Regarding wave energy, given its early stage of development, a more cautious approach is advisable, although a similar conclusion may be reached. Considering the decreasing installation costs on the horizon and accounting for both climatic scenarios, this provides a reliable context for most ongoing feasibility studies, technological developments, and offshore facility investments.

Temporal assessment of wind energy resource in algerian highlands regions

The aim of this paper is to investigate the monthly, seasonal and annual variation of the wind resource in term of wind energy potential using the wind speed data collected in the last decade for the meteorological stations at four locations situated in Algerian highlands from East to West boundaries. After the study of temporal Weibull parameters, the vertical extrapolation of Weibull parameters and mean wind speed at a height of 50 m was made and the analysis of annual energy efficiency, seasonal and monthly was made for wind energy conversion systems of 600 kW rated capacity. The results show that M’Sila has the highest wind potential among the studied sites with the annual mean wind speed V = 4 m/s and the annual wind energy production equal to 2.4GWh/year, while Kasr Chellala gives a good potential too but affected by an important rate of zero wind frequency. The study gives the regions situated in Algerian highland with an average wind potential, where the better wind energy potential is given in coldest months.

Visualization and quantitative evaluation of delamination defects in GFRPs via sparse millimeter-wave imaging and image processing

Multilayer glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) has broad applications, playing a pivotal role in various fields including aerospace and wind energy production. These structures may develop internal delamination defects during their manufacture or service, which can significantly impair the integrity and safety of the equipment. Thus, the inspection of such delamination defects during the service life of the equipment is crucial for assessing its operational performance and lifespan. Millimeter-wave (MMW) nondestructive testing (NDT) presents a promising method for detecting these defects in GFRPs, due to its high resolution and powerful penetration characteristics. This paper proposes a visual NDT and quantitative characterization method based on sparse imaging and image processing. This method encompasses the following three key points. (i) To facilitate rapid detection and visualization in monostatic mode, we proposed a detection approach utilizing sparse scanning and imaging. Initially, we developed a sparse sampling control matrix grounded to guide the probe for spatial automatic sparse sampling, thereby enhancing data acquisition efficiency and reducing data volume. Subsequently, we introduced a rapid sparse imaging method, integrating wave spectrum reconstruction and compressed sensing (CS). Beginning from the original data domain, we designed a fast imaging operator employing forward and inverse transformations of spectrum reconstruction imaging. (ii) In order to further refine the quality of the detection images, we proposed an adaptive singular value decomposition (SVD) approach to suppress the coupling signal and enhance the specimen signal. By adaptively adjusting the singular values, we generated a signal with the optimal target-to-background ratio (TBR). (iii) We ascertained the position and area parameters of the delamination defects using the proposed defect quantification method, combining image segmentation and image statistics. Experimental validation affirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method, revealing the following results: 1) The proposed method, despite utilizing a small amount of observational data, generates better visual images while maintaining efficient detection; 2) It can effectively identify all 0.5 mm-thick internal delamination defects in GFRPs, simultaneously retaining high quantitative characterization precision; 3) The positional quantification error remains less than 0.5 mm, and the relative area quantification error is constrained within 8%.

Persistent Voltage Control of a Wind Turbine-Driven Isolated Multiphase Induction Machine

The growing concern about the energy crisis and environmental protection has caused a growing interest in wind power generation systems. Researchers and engineers urgently need to create new multiphase induction machines for the production of wind energy, since they are essential parts of wind turbines. This study offers control and stability analysis of a multiphase induction machine based on the entropy stability requirements for its linearized model. The generated model was used to assess the on-load properties of the multiphase induction machine and calculate its steady-state parameters under each operating circumstance. According to the analysis, the eigenvalues depend on the machine parameters, with the excitation capacitance and speed variation being the most important. Stabilization of the multiphase induction machine is the main focus of the singular values, which vary according to its variables. The simulated results include an examination of a multiphase induction machine steady state for voltage build-up at various types of load.

A High Robust Optimal Nonlinear Control with MPPT Speed for Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) Based on Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG)

As part of efforts to improve wind energy production using a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG), this paper presents modeling with power maximization through control of speed (MPPT) and control of stator active and reactive power for doubly fed induction generator. The quality of the generated energy and the performance of wind energy conversion systems (WECS) based on DFIG are affected by uncertainties and external disturbances. Therefore, the system requires high-performance control under the nonlinearity influence and the applied external disturbances. This work provides a new contribution and approach that combines nonlinear control (Backstepping) and optimal control (LQR). Backstepping control has been applied to give a good performance using nonlinear strategy and stability condition, but its main drawback is that it is relatively robust for sudden changes in wind speed or any external disturbances as well as it is sensitive against the uncertainties, which may lead to a chattering and an instability as well as overshoot or undershoot. To overcome the problems mentioned above the optimal control (LQR) has been applied to address this drawback in nonlinear control. Furthermore, it, the hybrid approach of Backstepping and LQR control resulting a robust control under the hardest scenarios during the wind system operating as well as provides a good performance in terms of chattering, stability and other performance characteristics which help to produce a high-quality energy. Overall, integrating LQR control with Backstepping can lead to a more powerful, flexible, and efficient control system with improved performance and reduced computational complexity.

Diffusion Covid-19 in polluted regions: Main role of wind energy for sustainable and health

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the coronavirus disease 2019, is rapidly spreading worldwide, resulting in a significant number of deaths. This ongoing environmental and sustainability discussion has raised novel and relatively unexplored questions. One of these questions pertains to the impact of heavily polluting industrial processes and less environmentally friendly production methods on the spread of COVID-19 infections. This study aims to elucidate the connection between air pollution, particulate emissions, wind conditions, energy production, and the dissemination of COVID-19 infections. The primary focus of the statistical analysis is on Italy, a country that has seen a rapid surge in confirmed cases and fatalities. The findings of this study can be summarized as follows: 1) Cities located in regions with high wind speeds and significant wind energy production in megawatts (MW) tend to have fewer COVID-19 infections. 2) Conversely, cities situated in hinterland areas, especially those adjoining large urban conglomerates, characterized by heavy industrialization, low wind speeds, and less environmentally friendly production methods, tend to have a higher number of COVID-19 cases and total fatalities. These results suggest that addressing the current COVID-19 pandemic and preparing for future epidemics similar to COVID-19 requires more than just advancements in medical and microbiological research and practices. It also necessitates a proactive approach focused on sustainable development. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of incorporating sustainability science into strategies aimed at preventing future epidemics like COVID-19. Such an approach involves promoting renewable energy sources and cleaner production methods to reduce pollution from industrialization, ultimately influencing the factors that contribute to the transmission of coronavirus diseases and other infections within society.

After-use of cutover peatland from the perspective of landowners: Future effects on the national greenhouse gas budget in Finland

Recently, increased attention has been drawn to the greenhouse gas emissions of the Land use, Land use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector. In the Finnish LULUCF sector, the soil-originated emissions from the after-use of cutover peatland have become a more relevant question. This is due to the rapid increase in the number of former peat-harvesting sites, caused by the decline in the combustion of energy peat due to its high CO2 emissions. We conducted a nationally representative survey to study which after-use options of cutover peatlands are preferred by landowners. Based on the preferred after-use options, we estimated their impact on the national greenhouse gas emissions in the Finnish regions in 2035, and what factors influence the landowners’ choice of after-use options. We found that the four most popular after-use options for landowners were afforestation (71%), agriculture (24%), production of wind and solar power (22%) and rewetting (18%) when the respondent chose the three most attractive options. However, there were clear regional differences in the preferred after-use options, which might lead, if realized, to different soil-originated emissions at the regional level. The preferred after-use options could produce emissions of 0.35 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year (Mt CO2 eq y−1) by 2035 in Finland. Most of these emissions (30.1%) would come from South Ostrobothnia in western Finland, mainly due to the indicated high interest in agricultural after-use. Most landowners prefer financially profitable after-use options, such as forestry, agriculture, as well as wind and solar energy production in cutover peatlands. However, environmentally oriented landowners favour many kinds of actions to support biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and water protection in cutover peatlands. It is crucial that economic productivity and the greenhouse gas sinks of cutover peatlands be considered simultaneously to meet the climate targets of the LULUCF sector in Finland.

Daily Variation and Regional Differences in Wind Power Output during Heat and Cold Wave Days in China

China currently boasts the largest installed capacity of wind power; however, its output is unstable and highly dependent on weather variability. Despite this, the influence of extreme weather events on wind energy production at the interprovincial scale in China has not been fully characterized. This study aims at investigating the daily variations and regional differences in wind power output during heat wave (HW) and cold wave (CW) days in six regions of China. In addition, the study projects the monthly changes in HW and CW days in the coming decades by utilizing a stacking ensemble machine learning method. The projections are under a real-world warming scenario that incorporates current and long-term actions or policies. The findings of the study reveal that, for most regions, the daily cumulative wind power generation on HW days is close to that on normal days; however, there is a lower output during the daytime and a higher output at night. Furthermore, the number of HW days is projected to increase by 2.3 to 21.8 days during the periods of 2031–2040, 2041–2050, and 2051–2060 in these regions. By comparison, the daily cumulative wind power generation increases significantly on CW days, and the monthly distribution of CW days is expected to undergo notable changes in the future. These findings provide valuable insights into wind resource planning and operation under extreme weather conditions in China.

Future projections of wind energy potentials in the arctic for the 21st century under the RCP8.5 scenario from regional climate models (Arctic-CORDEX)

The Arctic has warmed more than twice the rate of the entire globe. To quantify possible climate change effects, we calculate wind energy potentials from a multi-model ensemble of Arctic-CORDEX. For this, we analyze future changes of wind power density (WPD) using an eleven-member multi-model ensemble. Impacts are estimated for two periods (2020–2049 and 2070–2099) of the 21st century under a high emission scenario (RCP8.5). The multi-model mean reveals an increase of seasonal WPD over the Arctic in the future decades. WPD variability across a range of temporal scales is projected to increase over the Arctic. The signal amplifies by the end of 21st century. Future changes in the frequency of wind speeds at 100 m not useable for wind energy production (wind speeds below 4 m/s or above 25 m/s) has been analyzed. The RCM ensemble simulates a more frequent occurrence of 100 m non-usable wind speeds for the wind-turbines over Scandinavia and selected land areas in Alaska, northern Russia and Canada. In contrast, non-usable wind speeds decrease over large parts of Eastern Siberia and in northern Alaska. Thus, our results indicate increased potential of the Arctic for the development and production of wind energy. Bias corrected and not corrected near-surface wind speed and WPD changes have been compared with each other. It has been found that both show the same sign of future change, but differ in magnitude of these changes. The role of sea-ice retreat and vegetation expansion in the Arctic in future on near-surface wind speed variability has been also assessed. Surface roughness through sea-ice and vegetation changes may significantly impact on WPD variability in the Arctic.

Smart Cyber-Attack Diagnosis and Mitigation in a Wind Farm Network Operator

With the rise of wind energy production in global power generation, wind farm facilities are becoming increasingly attractive targets for malicious attacks, in particular those affecting wind farm network operators' cyber subsystems and functionalities. Given the significance of this problem, this paper proposes a novel anomaly-based intrusion detection and diagnosis system to carry out in-line monitoring as with firewalls. Also, an innovative cyber-attack-resilient active power control is designed to responsively mitigate the impacts of cyber-attacks on the safe regulation of active power from wind farms. An offshore wind farm benchmark is used to implement and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solutions in the presence of wind turbulences, measurement noises and realistic smart cyber-attack scenarios.

Experimental and analytical study on the performance of wind turbine tower attached with particle tuned mass damper

According to the global wind energy council report, a dramatic increase in the annual wind installations is needed to satisfy the goal of net-zero, which means there will be a large market for wind turbine towers. Therefore, the safety and suitability of wind turbine towers must be ensured by certain methods under wind and seismic excitations for reliable wind energy production. This paper presents a comprehensive study involving experimental, analytical, and computational approaches to study the performance of the particle tuned mass damper (PTMD) that is attached to a 1/20 scaled wind turbine tower model through a shaking table test. During the test, the overall performance of PTMD is analyzed under earthquake and equivalent wind excitations. The results indicate that PTMD can significantly mitigate the dynamic responses of the tower top and tower body. Then, a parametric study of PTMD is carried out to detail its damping mechanisms. The results show that the robustness of PTMD is good, and PTMD possesses a wider vibration control frequency band. Finally, based on the experimental test, a finite element model is built, and then a comparison of experimental and numerical results is conducted to investigate the vibration reduction effect of PTMD under coupled wind and earthquake excitations. The numerical simulation and experimental results agree well, and PTMD has good vibration reduction effectiveness under coupled wind and earthquake excitations. Besides, the numerical simulation indicates that aerodynamic damping can restrain the vibration of the wind turbine tower to a certain extent. Both the experimental and numerical results indicate that the PTMD can reduce the vibration of wind turbine towers significantly under wind and earthquake excitations.

Carbon and Energy Life Cycle Analysis of Wind Energy Industry in Libya

By analyzing a wide range of energy, economic, and environmental variables for a variety of attractive locations in Libya, the study established the fundamentals of localizing the wind energy business in Libya. The estimate of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission factor resulting from the conversion of wind energy into electric energy also includes the quantity of GHG emissions from cement manufacturing and transportation, as well as manufacturing (for various wind turbine manufacturers), sea transportation of wind energy equipment from the site of manufacture to the port of Tripoli, land transportation to the location of the wind energy farm, and calculating the energy and emissions used for recycling recyclable materials and for transportation. Hourly climate data over a 25-year period (1995-2020) were gathered from the SolarGis climate information portal. For many viable wind energy production locations in Libya, the System Advisor Model (SAM) software was used to calculate the productivity of wind farms with a 100 MW capacity. The study's findings showed that the Gamesa turbine, whose capital cost was around (146,916,400 dollars), had the best economic and environmental indices. The GHG emission rates for all the cities that were targeted ranged from 24-63g GHG/kWh. The time needed for carbon to recover ranged from 5.5 to 14.5 months. The expected energy payback time was 14 to 22 months. An LCOE's production costs ranged from 4.8 to 11.1 cents per kWh.

A transition to battery electric vehicles without V2G: an outcome explained by a strong electricity regime and a weak automobility regime?

BackgroundA sustainability transition in mobility is dependent on a transition away from a fossil fuel-based automobility regime. Smart charging, in the form of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) has been presented as one—or even the—key technology in facilitating a sustainability transition in the automobility regime. With the large global increase in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) combined with a rapid increase in the production of wind and solar energy, V2G may indeed become a key technology to enable the balancing of electricity grids worldwide. Thus far, however, the large-scale introduction of BEVs in Norway has been implemented without the use of commercial V2G systems; indeed, it has only recently been implemented in commercial smart charging stations, and then only in the less-radical form of grid-to-vehicle (G2V) systems. The Norwegian experience is contrary to expectations in the sustainability transitions literature and, therefore, merits further investigation. This article details how and why this outcome unfolded and considers the relative strength of the automobility and electricity regimes as a possible explanation. Specifically, it asks: can the absence of commercial V2G charging in Norway be explained by the structure of the existing regimes? And, if so, is this generalisable?ResultsTo answer the research question, the study employed an exploratory two-stage case study approach, drawing on 36 expert interviews. The first stage included 27 interviews with key actors, including stakeholder organisations. These were followed by nine in-depth interviews with key actors in smart charging. The interviews were analysed using a multi-level perspective (MLP) framework. The study finds that the relative strength of the involved regimes influences how the challenge is framed and which solutions are presented. Cases in point: regime actors use smart charging (G2V) as an add-on to their existing services, while start-ups without the same ties to the established regime present and promote solutions that conflict with the existing regime.ConclusionsThis article finds that the solutions presented by regime actors have thus far been more commercially successful, compared with solutions presented by start-ups. This finding is in line with previous research that suggests that actors with strong ties to the existing regime present less-radical solutions with lower transformational potential, while niche actors without these ties present more-radical solutions. Still, the absence of V2G and the relative low market penetration of other advanced smart charging solutions have not prevented the introduction of BEVs from reaching the acceleration phase. This means that V2G is not necessary for large-scale BEV introduction, in all cases. By extension, this suggests that V2G mainly addresses issues with the electrical grid, highlighted by BEVs. BEVs may be successfully introduced at scale, where the pre-existing grid is well-developed, with sufficient balancing capacity. If this precondition is not met, the transition to BEVs may be contingent on smart charging or costly grid extensions. This can be the case at specific locations in Norway, but it may be more prevalent in other locations.