Wind Power Facilities Research Articles

THE RELEVANCE ASSESSMENT OF THE LAND USE FOR WIND POWER ENGINEERING IN SETTLEMENTS OF LVIV REGION

The aim of the work is to study the relevance of new wind power facilities installation for electricity production in the Lviv region. In this paper, all the necessary conditions for the construction of wind power plants are considered. Analysis of the preferred land plot choice for wind energy generation due to favorable wind conditions and limited environmental impact is carried out. The wind turbines with the capacities, which are most appropriate to use in this region, were selected, as well as the environmental impact of the wind power plants is defined. It is proved that it is advisable to use wind turbines of the type “ECO 100” with a capacity of 3.0 MW. The results of the research can be effectively used by design and production organizations in the management of geodetic monitoring of the wind power plants state.

Estimating population size with imperfect detection using a parametric bootstrap

We develop a novel method of estimating population size from imperfectly detected counts of individuals and a separate estimate of detection probability. Observed counts are separated into classes within which detection probability is assumed constant. Within a detection class, counts are modeled as a single binomial observation X with success probability p where the goal is to estimate index N. We use a Horvitz–Thompson‐like estimator for N and account for uncertainty in both sample data and estimated success probability via a parametric bootstrap. Unlike capture–recapture methods, our model does not require repeated sampling of the population. Our method is able to achieve good results, even with small X. We show in a factorial simulation study that the median of the bootstrapped sample has small bias relative to N and that coverage probabilities of confidence intervals for N are near nominal under a wide array of scenarios. Our methodology begins to break down when P(X=0)>0.1 but is still capable of obtaining reasonable confidence coverage. We illustrate the proposed technique by estimating (1) the size of a moose population in Alaska and (2) the number of bat fatalities at a wind power facility, both from samples with imperfect detection probabilities, estimated independently.

Integrating MCDM and GIS for renewable energy spatial models: assessing the individual and combined potential for wind, solar and biomass energy in Southern Spain

The present study aims to develop an integrated methodology using multi-criteria decision-making methods and geographical information systems for a renewable energy spatial planning model. This methodology has been applied to the province of Malaga (Southern Spain), which is characterised by high energy demand for both residential and touristic use. Criteria and restrictions are defined, weighed and combined in order to identify high potential areas for the construction of single- or combined wind power, solar power and biomass generation facilities. Finally, a cluster analysis is carried out in order to classify municipalities within the province according to the availability of medium and high potential land for the construction of these facilities. Results suggest that for the three types of energy analysed (wind, solar and biomass), single- or combined solar and wind power facilities are the best options in the province of Malaga. The breakdown of these results at the municipality level is of great interest from the point of view of spatial planning. For instance, in some municipalities less than 1 km2 is regarded as having a medium-to-high potential in terms of renewables. Some of these municipalities, situated on the Costa del Sol, must meet high current- and future energy demands, owing both to population density and the volume of touristic demand, which is the highest in the region of Andalusia. The methodology used can be applied to other regions and will be of interest for planners, managers and investors, all of whom can use this information for spatial- and energy planning, and the definition of targets and strategies, and, therefore, as and to aid decision-making.

Development of a Geoinformation System for the Design of Wind Power Facilities in the Russian Arctic Conditions

The purpose of the work was to develop the geographic information system (GIS) for the design of wind power facilities in the Russian Arctic conditions, determine its structure and application area, taking into account climatic, topographic, geological, and other features in autonomous regions with extreme temperature values. Such a detailed research is carried out in order to design economically viable renewable energy facilities, reducing regional subsidies and the cost of electricity, as well as to determine the optimal location for the construction of energy complexes.Analysis of the energy supply systems state in the Arctic regions showed that the main problem is the annual increase in the cost of electricity, which is caused by the limited transport accessibility for the diesel fuel (DF) delivery. An effective solution to the problems associated with improving the reliability of power supply, reducing the cost of electricity, as well as increasing environmental safety for the power supply of decentralized Russian regions with a high wind energy potential is building new wind-diesel power plants (WDPP) and modernization of the existing diesel power plants (DPP) for creation WDPP energy complexes (EC).

Summary of Technical Specifications for Offshore Wind Farm Facilities

[Introduction] This paper aims to promote the establishment of a complete technical standards system for offshore wind farms. [Method] The problems existing in the construction of offshore wind farms in China were pointed out, the standards for offshore wind farm facilities at home and abroad were summarized, and the exploration and effectiveness of the technical specifications for offshore wind power facilities by China Classification Society(CCS) were introduced. [Result] Despite the rapid development of offshore wind power in China, the supporting technical specifications for offshore wind power facilities have not been followed up in time, and the whole life cycle technical specifications system, including design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance and abandonment, has not been established. Although Europe has a mature specifications system for offshore wind power facilities, it cannot be completely copied and used, such as the LRFD method of structural design which is related to the environmental conditions and reliability index of the sea area, and the partial factor applicable to the European sea area is not applicable to the Chinese sea area. [Conclusion] Therefore, the technical specification system for the domestic offshore wind power facilities requires the joint efforts and cooperation of the industry, traditional ocean engineering specialty should play a greater role in this field, and the research achievements by CCS in this field can provide some reference values for the establishment of the technical specification system.

Fault ride through strategy of DFIG using rotor voltage direct compensation control under voltage phase angle jump

Wind power has developed rapidly in recent years, and large-scale wind power facilities connected to power grids will bring many new challenges. Some new operation characteristics of power grids with doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) may exhibit, for example voltage phase angle jumps (VPAJ). VPAJ can negatively impact the fault ride through (FRT) performance of DFIG. This paper firstly investigates the physical mechanism and the operation characteristics of DFIG with VPAJ. It is noted that the current control strategies designed for voltage amplitude changes are not suitable for VPAJ. Secondly, the paper develops an FRT optimization control strategy under VPAJ which optimizes the DFIG operation characteristics. Finally, simulations of a 250 MW wind farm are presented which validate the proposed FRT strategy.

The ‘patchy’ spread of renewables: A socio-territorial perspective on the energy transition process

In the energy transition process the district heating networks and the wind power facilities play a key role. These two technologies can contribute to establish models of co-provision involving new social actors in the energy field. Despite that, the socio-organizational change appears patchy. In Italy, these options are dominated by large utilities and the few forms of energy co-production are to be found in specific contexts. The influence of socio-territorial features on the energy transition seem relevant. This paper aims analysing energy transition while focusing on the institutional, relational and territorial dimensions to unfold how energy innovations take place within territorial contexts. In this respect, energy transition is investigated considering both the district heating and the wind power in Italy. The analysis suggests that the transition is influenced by the way in which territorial context is destabilized by the perturbations of energy landscape.

Нормативное регулирование использования и охраны морских млекопитающих в России

We discuss the main provisions of the national legislation on the use and protection of marine mammals. In the absence of a special legislative act, legal issues are regulated by the laws “On Environmental Protection”, “On the Animal World”, “On Fishery and the Conservation of Aquatic Biological Resources”, which include marine mammals in the more general legal concept of “aquatic biological resources”, this approach remains in subordi-nate legislation. The assigment of marine mammals into a separate legal category will contribute to the improvement of legal ways of their conserva-tion and regulation of marine activities that affect the habitat (shipping, wind power facilities, extraction of aquatic bioresources, oil and gas). There is a need to develop and adopt rules for veterinary and sanitary examination (in relation to wild capture species); rules for assistance, rehabilitation and re-lease into the natural habitat of marine mammals affected by anthropogenic factors; rules of detention in captivity; recommendations for the observation of whales and other marine mammals. The author’s conclusions contribute to the achievement of the UN sustainable development goals, the promotion of the concept of “Blue economy” and the conservation of marine mammals as a global natural heritage.

Cultural Heritage and Wind Turbines – A Method to Reduce Conflicts in Landscape Planning and Management: Studies in the German Ore Mountains

Abstract Landscape policy, management and planning can be interpreted as involving a dualism of conservation and transformation goals. Serious conflicts can emerge when conservation and development goals are contradictory. This paper reflects on the goal conflict between the establishment of a world heritage destination with 39 individual elements and the development of wind power facilities in the German Ore Mountains. In order to meet these challenges, the authors created a GIS-based so-called “Multiple-Visual-Link Method”. By calculating viewsheds with a tailor-made GIS application and defining distance zones (short, middle, long), the user is able to estimate the visual relations between the two types of subjects in a bigger area with a favorable cost-benefit relation. The compact algorithmic approach leads to solid results which can be translated into planning recommendations. There is also potential for it to be applied to similar goal conflicts.

Epidemiological Study on Long-Term Health Effects of Wind Turbine Noise in Japan

We investigated whether long-term exposure to low-frequency noise generated by wind power facilities is a risk factor of sleep disorders. We performed an epidemiological study of living environment...

Automated monitoring for birds in flight: Proof of concept with eagles at a wind power facility

Automated surveys for wildlife have the potential to improve data collection while averting mortality of animals. Collisions of eagles at wind power facilities are particularly of concern and therefore an automated system that could detect birds, determine if they are eagles, and track their movement, might aid in curtailing wind turbines before collisions occur. Here, we use human observers and photographs to test the ability of a camera-based monitoring system, called IdentiFlight, to detect, classify, and track birds. IdentiFlight detected 96% of the bird flights detected by observers and detected 562% more birds than did observers. The discrepancy between observers and IdentiFlight seemed to be because the ability of observers to detect birds declined sharply by distance and toward the west. We reviewed photographs taken by IdentiFlight and determined that IdentiFlight misclassified nine of 149 eagles as non-eagles for a false negative rate of 6%, and 287 of 1013 non-eagles as eagles for a false positive rate of 28%. The median distance at classification for birds classified as eagles was 793 m and the median time from detection till classification was 0.4 s. Collectively, our results suggest that automated cameras can be effective means of detecting birds in flight and identifying eagles.

Sustainable operation-oriented investment risk evaluation and optimization for renewable energy project: a case study of wind power in China

Renewable energy is playing an increasingly important role in energy security and environmental protection. As China has a huge demand for renewable energy and also has abundant wind resources, it is vital that government, investors and operators work together to ensure the sustainable development of the wind energy industry. Even though China is already a leader in wind power generation with the largest installed wind power capacity in the world, it has continued to build new wind power facilities. However, due to industrial immaturity and the need for significant investment, wind power investors and operators are faced with uncertainty about the attendant risks. To achieve risk mitigation and sustainability, this paper proposes an investment risk evaluation and optimization process for Chinese wind power projects. The Monte Carlo method is first used to evaluate the investment risks, after which a multi-objective programming model is built for the optimization. A specific case in western China is examined to demonstrate the proposed methodology, with the evaluation results indicating that the project has high investment risk. Based on the case study, the key risk factors are identified and optimization suggestions given for China’s wind power projects. The proposed methodology and findings contribute to research on the planning, investment and sustainable operation of renewable energy power generation projects in other areas in China.

Wind Turbine Noise and Health Effects

We investigated whether long-term exposure to low-frequency noise generated by wind power facilities is a risk factor for sleep disorders. We performed an epidemiological study of the living environment and health effects of such noise by surveying 9,000 residents (≥20 years of age) living in areas with operational wind power facilities. Sleep disorders were assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale. To assess environmental noise in residential areas near wind turbines, infrasound and low-frequency sound exposure levels were measured at 50 community centers of a town. The prevalence of sleep disorders was significantly higher among residents who reported subjectively hearing noise (by approximately twofold) than among those who did not. Moreover, the reported prevalence of sleep disorders was significantly higher (by approximately twofold) among residents living at a distance of ≤1,500 m from the nearest wind turbine than among residents living at a distance of ≥2,000 m, suggesting a dose-response relationship. The attitudes of residents towards wind power facilities strongly affected their responses regarding sleep disorder prevalence. It is highly likely that audible noise generated by wind power facilities is a risk factor for sleep disorders. Obtaining a satisfactory consensus from local residents before installing wind power facilities is important as for more amenable their attitudes towards such facilities.

Immission Assessments of Wind Turbine Noise in Residential Areas around Wind Farms

Since the large-scale construction of wind power facilities in Japan, serious complaints have arisen from residents regarding wind turbine noise (WTN). However, there was insufficient scientific background to assess this issue. To address this situation, several research projects have been conducted by the Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan. In this paper, we report actual WTN field measurements for these projects. The LAeq values of WTN ranged from 25 to 50 dB in residential areas. On the other hand, the residual noise levels in control areas with similar local characteristics to the wind farm areas but not affected by WTN ranged from 20 to 35 dB. Thus, there was a notable difference between WTN and residual noise. Wind power facilities are often constructed in quiet, rural districts. With regards to WTN, LAeq of noise caused by wind turbines as well as the increase in the overall noise level are important. The measurements of spectral characteristics of WTN were compared against the criterion curve to assess low-frequency noise. As a result, infrasound (frequency components below 20 Hz) for all measured WTN values in the residential (immission) areas were found to be much lower than the corresponding values on the criterion curve. In addition, amplitude modulation (AM) sound (also referred to as "swish sound") is often associated with WTN, and can cause serious discomfort to nearby residents. The actual situation with regard to AM sound in residential areas located near wind farms was clarified by field measurements.

Analysis on the estimation errors of the lowest and highest astronomical tides for the southwestern 2.5 GW offshore wind farm, Korea

For the design of wind-power facilities, the highest and lowest astronomical tides (HAT and LAT, respectively) are needed for the tidal-water levels regarding international designs; however, the approximate highest high water and approximate lowest low water AHHW and ALLW, respectively, have been used in Korea. The HAT and LAT in the wind-farm test-bed sea should be estimated to satisfy the international standard. In this study, the HAT and LAT are therefore estimated using the hourly tidal-elevation data of the Eocheongdo, Anmado, Younggwang, Gunsan, Janghang, and Seocheon tidal-gauging stations that are located in the adjacent coastal sea. The nodal variation patterns of the major lunar components, such as M2, O1, and K1 are analyzed to check the expected long-term lunar cycle, i.e., 18.61 year's nodal-variation patterns. The temporal amplitude variations of the M2, O1, and K1 clearly show the 18.61-years periodic patterns in the case of the no-nodal correction condition. In addition, the suggested HAT and LAT elevations, estimated as the upper and lower confidence limits of the yearly HAT and LAT elevations, are 50 cm greater than the AHHW and 40 cm lower than the ALLW, respectively.

The external costs of wind farm development on the high plains: Have developers made an effort to minimize these costs?

Growth in wind-generated power installations in the United States has generated economic benefits in regions suitable for development. This research evaluates the likelihood that environmental factors have influenced site choice for wind power facility development in the Great Plains region. A zero-inflated negative binomial regression is utilized to account for excess zeros in the data. The results suggest that wind farm developers have taken some avian species into consideration in their site choices.

Analysis on the Estimation Error of the Lowest and Highest Astronomical Tides using the Wido Tidal Elevation Data

í•´ìƒí’ë ¥ ë°œì „ì‹œì„¤ì€ êµ­ì œì ì¸ 설계기준조위로 ìµœê³ ì²œë¬¸ì¡°ìœ„(highest astronomical tide, HAT)와 ìµœì €ì²œë¬¸ì¡°ìœ„(lowest astronomical tide, LAT) 기준을 ìš”êµ¬í•˜ê³ ìžˆë‹¤. 우리나라는 설계기준조위로 ì•½ìµœê³ ê³ ì¡°ìœ„(AHHW)와 ì•½ìµœì €ì €ì¡°ìœ„(ALLW) 기준을 사용하여 왔기 때문에 êµ­ì œì ì¸ 설계기준을 만족하기 위해서는 í•´ìƒí’ë ¥ ë°œì „ì‹œì„¤ 후보 해역인 위도에서의 HAT, LAT ì¶”ì •ì´ 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 위도에서 가용한 31ë „ 조위자료를 이용하여 HAT, LAT 기준조위를 ì¶”ì •í•˜ì˜€ìœ¼ë©°, ì¶”ì •ì— 사용한 자료의 ì‹ ë¢°ìˆ˜ì¤€ì„ ê²€í† í•˜ê¸° 위하여 장기 태음분조에 해당하는 18.61ë „ 주기의 Nodal 변동 특성 분석을 수행하였다. Nodal ë³´ì •ì„ ê³ ë ¤í•˜ì§€ 않은 연간 M2, O1, K1 분조의 진폭변화는 ëšœë ·í•œ 18.61ë „ 주기를 보여 조화분석 결과가 ì ì ˆí•˜ê²Œ ì¶”ì •ëœ 것으로 íŒŒì• ë˜ê³ ìžˆëŠ” 것으로 íŒŒì• ë˜ì—ˆë‹¤. 한편 조위자료를 이용하여 ì¶”ì •í•œ HAT, LAT ì‹ ë¢°êµ¬ê°„ì˜ 상한 및 하한으로 ìµœì¢ ì¶”ì •í•œ HAT, LAT 조위는 AHHW, ALLW 기준조위에 비하여 각각 +40 cm, -35 cm ì •ë„ë¡œ íŒŒì• ë˜ì—ˆë‹¤. 핵심용어: 위도 조위자료, ìµœê³ ì²œë¬¸ì¡°ìœ„, ìµœì €ì²œë¬¸ì¡°ìœ„, ì•½ìµœê³ ê³ ì¡°ìœ„, ì•½ìµœì €ì €ì¡°ìœ„, Nodal ë³´ì •

Multiple mortality events in bats: a global review.

Despite conservation concerns for many species of bats, factors causing mortality in bats have not been reviewed since 1970. Here we review and qualitatively describe trends in the occurrence and apparent causes of multiple mortality events (MMEs) in bats around the world.We compiled a database of MMEs, defined as cases in which ≥ 10 dead bats were counted or estimated at a specific location within a maximum timescale of a year, and more typically within a few days or a season. We tabulated 1180 MMEs within nine categories.Prior to the year 2000, intentional killing by humans caused the greatest proportion of MMEs in bats. In North America and Europe, people typically killed bats because they were perceived as nuisances. Intentional killing occurred in South America for vampire bat control, in Asia and Australia for fruit depredation control, and in Africa and Asia for human food. Biotic factors, accidents, and natural abiotic factors were also important historically. Chemical contaminants were confirmed causes of MMEs in North America, Europe, and on islands. Viral and bacterial diseases ranked low as causes of MMEs in bats.Two factors led to a major shift in causes of MMEs in bats at around the year 2000: the global increase of industrial wind-power facilities and the outbreak of white-nose syndrome in North America. Collisions with wind turbines and white-nose syndrome are now the leading causes of reported MMEs in bats.Collectively, over half of all reported MMEs were of anthropogenic origin. The documented occurrence of MMEs in bats due to abiotic factors such as intense storms, flooding, heat waves, and drought is likely to increase in the future with climate change. Coupled with the chronic threats of roosting and foraging habitat loss, increasing mortality through MMEs is unlikely to be compensated for, given the need for high survival in the dynamics of bat populations.

電力工学教育用模擬マイクログリッドシステムの実現に向けた遠隔発電実験システムの開発

In this study, the authors have developed wind power and solar power facilities in their “Simulated Micro Grid System for Education”. The wind power simulation system has adopted a squirrel-cage type three-phase induction motor as a generator. The rotational speed of the three-phase induction motor is controlled by another inverter fed motor, which simulates the wind power. This facility is able to measure the generated power and the rotational speed. The solar power simulation system has adopted a robot arm to which a light bulb is attached. The robot arm is controlled to follow the orbit as the sun, so that the solar power is simulated. Similarly, this facility is able to measure the generated power.

Offshore wind farms in Southern Europe – Determining tourist preference and social acceptance

There is increasing consensus that resistance to the siting of wind power facilities cannot be explained by the NIMBY phenomenon alone or other localized environmental impacts. This deficiency is addressed by examining the determinants of tourist preferences for positioning of wind farms in the Mediterranean Sea. A principal component analysis is used to identify general attitudinal themes that act as covariates in a choice model. We demonstrate that the welfare economic impacts associated with spending holidays in the vicinity of an offshore wind farm do not merely depend on visibility effects, but equally on the individual's opinion of climate change, efficiency of wind energy and the substitutability of nuclear and fossil fuels with renewable power generating sources.