A Preliminary Evaluation of a Multiple-Generator Drivetrain Configuration for Wind Turbines

Author(s):  
Jason R. Cotrell

The recent trend toward large wind turbines has led to very expensive gearboxes that hinder their feasibility. The gearboxes for these wind turbines are more expensive per kilowatt (kW) of rated power than for smaller turbines because the torque increases more quickly than the power when increasing the rotor diameter. Multiple-generator drivetrain configurations can reduce the drivetrain cost for large wind turbines while increasing the energy capture and reliability. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is reexamining the benefits of multiple-generator configurations through the Wind Partnership for Advanced Component Technology (WindPACT) program. This paper qualitatively compares a multiple-generator drivetrain configuration to a conventional drivetrain.

Author(s):  
Maria Letizia Corradini ◽  
Gianluca Ippoliti ◽  
Giuseppe Orlando

In this paper, the problem of icing detection is considered for wind turbines (WTs) operating in medium speed wind region (region 2) and subject to a control law tracking the maximum delivery point of the power coefficient characteristic. Based on a robust observer of the rotor angular acceleration, rotor inertia is estimated in order to detect its eventual increase due to icing. Moreover, the observed value of rotor inertia can be potentially used for updating the controller parameters or to stop the turbine when icing is too severe. The proposed approach has been tested by intensive MatLab® simulations using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory 5 MW WT model.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 234-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bohumil Frantál ◽  
Tadej Bevk ◽  
Bregje Van Veelen ◽  
Mihaela Hărmănescu ◽  
Karl Benediktsson

AbstractUsing a case study of the Búrfell wind farm project, a large wind farm proposed in the Central Highlands of Iceland, the authors attempt to provide new insights into the factors shaping subjective landscape perceptions and attitudes to renewable energy developments, and into alternative methods that may be used for their assessment. The research was based on an on-site visit and actual experience of the place, investigated using a combination of mental mapping, the technique of the semantic differential and a questionnaire survey. The results show that participants visiting a landscape and using all sensory organs in combination with mental mapping, can reveal more important information than using only ‘laboratory’ methods with static photographs. The results suggest that the perception of landscape is highly subjective. Those perceiving the landscape as more open, homogenous, industrial, unfamiliar and resilient also consider it more compatible with wind turbines. The perception of the landscape’s compatibility with wind turbines proved to be a dominant factor shaping attitudes towards the project. The acceptance of wind turbines is not, however, inconsistent with the perception of landscape as beautiful, wild and unique. Participants from more densely populated countries and countries with a developed wind energy industry were more tolerant of wind turbines in the Icelandic landscape.


Author(s):  
Marcus Wiens ◽  
Sebastian Frahm ◽  
Philipp Thomas ◽  
Shoaib Kahn

AbstractRequirements for the design of wind turbines advance facing the challenges of a high content of renewable energy sources in the public grid. A high percentage of renewable energy weaken the grid and grid faults become more likely, which add additional loads on the wind turbine. Load calculations with aero-elastic models are standard for the design of wind turbines. Components of the electric system are usually roughly modeled in aero-elastic models and therefore the effect of detailed electrical models on the load calculations is unclear. A holistic wind turbine model is obtained, by combining an aero-elastic model and detailed electrical model into one co-simulation. The holistic model, representing a DFIG turbine is compared to a standard aero-elastic model for load calculations. It is shown that a detailed modelling of the electrical components e.g., generator, converter, and grid, have an influence on the results of load calculations. An analysis of low-voltage-ride-trough events during turbulent wind shows massive increase of loads on the drive train and effects the tower loads. Furthermore, the presented holistic model could be used to investigate different control approaches on the wind turbine dynamics and loads. This approach is applicable to the modelling of a holistic wind park to investigate interaction on the electrical level and simultaneously evaluate the loads on the wind turbine.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Zhenye Sun ◽  
Weijun Zhu ◽  
Wenzhong Shen ◽  
Qiuhan Tao ◽  
Jiufa Cao ◽  
...  

In order to develop super-large wind turbines, new concepts, such as downwind load-alignment, are required. Additionally, segmented blade concepts are under investigation. As a simple example, the coned rotor needs be investigated. In this paper, different conning configurations, including special cones with three segments, are simulated and analyzed based on the DTU-10 MW reference rotor. It was found that the different force distributions of upwind and downwind coned configurations agreed well with the distributions of angle of attack, which were affected by the blade tip position and the cone angle. With the upstream coning of the blade tip, the blade sections suffered from stronger axial induction and a lower angle of attack. The downstream coning of the blade tip led to reverse variations. The cone angle determined the velocity and force projecting process from the axial to the normal direction, which also influenced the angle of attack and force, provided that correct inflow velocity decomposition occurred.


2016 ◽  
Vol 688 ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iveta Čabalová ◽  
František Kačík ◽  
Tereza Tribulová

Samples prepared from oak (Quercusrobur L.) wood were exposed to heat treatment at temperatures of 160, 180, 200 and 220 oC for 3, 6, 9 and 12 hours. In both untreated and thermally treated wood there were determined extractives and lignin by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) procedures, cellulose by Seifert's method, holocellulose according to Wise, hemicelluloses as difference between holocellulose and cellulose. Monosaccharides were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (NREL).The results show that hemicelluloses are less stable at thermal treatment than cellulose. The amounts of lignin and extractives rose by increasing both temperature and time of the treatment while the amounts of hemicelluloses decreased. Thermal treatment also resulted in significant decreases of the yields of non-glucosic saccharides. Degradation of carbohydrates can cause the deterioration of mechanical properties of wood.


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