Load Mitigation Using Slotted Flaps in Offshore Wind Turbines

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Thakur ◽  
K. A. Abhinav ◽  
Nilanjan Saha
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Dynamic Link Library ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Trailing Edge Flaps ◽  
Bottom Structures ◽  
Unsteady Effects ◽  
Bem Theory

This paper focuses on load mitigation by implementing controllable trailing-edge slotted flaps on the blades of an offshore wind turbine (OWT). The benchmark NREL 5 MW horizontal axis OWT is subjected to coupled stochastic aerodynamic-hydrodynamic analysis for obtaining the responses. The OWT is supported on three different fixed-bottom structures situated in various water depths. Blade element momentum (BEM) theory and Morison's equation are used to compute the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic loads, respectively. Presently, the load reduction obtained by means of the slotted flaps is regulated using an external dynamic link library considering the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. BEM theory is presently modified to account for unsteady effects of flaps along the blade span. The present analysis results show reduction up to 20% in blade and tower loads for the turbine with different support structures on implementing controllable trailing edge flaps (TEFs). This study can form the basis for evaluating the performance of large-scale fixed OWT rotors.

Load Reduction on Offshore Wind Turbines by Aerodynamic Flaps

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Thakur ◽  
Nilanjan Saha
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Load Reduction ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Hydrodynamic Loads ◽  
Trailing Edge Flaps ◽  
Unsteady Effects ◽  
Bem Theory

This paper focuses on load reduction by implementing controllable trailing-edge flaps on an offshore wind turbine (OWT) supported on different fixed bottom structures in various water depths. The benchmark NREL 5-MW offshore horizontal axis wind turbine is used as a reference. This work utilizes the wind turbine simulation tool FAST with coupled stochastic aerodynamic-hydrodynamic analysis for obtaining the responses. The flap is controlled using an external dynamic link library through PID controller. Blade element momentum (BEM) theory and Morison equation are used to compute the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic loads, respectively. BEM theory is presently modified to account for unsteady effects of flaps along the blade span. Variation in force coefficients is shown due to unsteady effects of flaps. The present analysis results show reduction up to 8–29% in blade loads for the turbine with different support structures on implementing controllable trailing edge flaps. Also, an influence of blade load reduction on tower base and nacelle is shown. Tower loads are calculated considering aerodynamic and hydrodynamic loads individually. This study can form the basis for evaluating the performance for large-scale fixed offshore wind turbine rotors.

scholarly journals Performance and Effect of Load Mitigation of a Trailing-Edge Flap in a Large-Scale Offshore Wind Turbine

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Cai ◽  
Yazhou Wang ◽  
Bofeng Xu ◽  
Junheng Feng
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Load Distribution ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Turbulent Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Trailing Edge Flap

As a result of the large-scale trend of offshore wind turbines, wind shear and turbulent wind conditions cause significant fluctuations of the wind turbine’s torque and thrust, which significantly affect the service life of the wind turbine gearbox and the power output stability. The use of a trailing-edge flap is proposed as a supplement to the pitch control to mitigate the load fluctuations of large-scale offshore wind turbines. A wind turbine rotor model with a trailing-edge flap is established by using the free vortex wake (FVW) model. The effects of the deflection angle of the trailing-edge flap on the load distribution of the blades and wake flow field of the offshore wind turbine are analyzed. The wind turbine load response under the control of the trailing-edge flap is obtained by simulating shear wind and turbulent wind conditions. The results show that a better control effect can be achieved in the high wind speed condition because the average angle of attack of the blade profile is small. The trailing-edge flap significantly changes the load distribution of the blade and the wake field and mitigates the low-frequency torque and thrust fluctuations of the turbine rotor under the action of wind shear and turbulent wind.

Development of a CFD-CSD Coupling Technique for Large Scale Offshore Wind Turbines

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Auraluck Pichitkul ◽  
Lakshmi N. Sankar
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Time History ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Aerodynamic Loads ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines

Abstract Wind engineering technology has been continuously investigated and developed over the past several decades in response to steadily growing demand for renewable energy resources, in order to meet the increased demand for power production, fixed and floating platforms with different mooring configurations have been fielded, accommodating large-scale offshore wind turbines in deep water areas. In this study, the aerodynamic loads on such systems are modeled using a computational structural dynamics solver called OpenFAST developed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory, coupled to an in-house computational fluid dynamics solver called GT-Hybrid. Coupling of the structural/aerodynamic motion time history with the CFD analysis is done using an open File I/O process. At this writing, only a one-way coupling has been attempted, feeding the blade motion and structural deformations from OpenFAST into the fluid dynamics analysis. The sectional aerodynamic loads for a large scale 5 MW offshore wind turbine are presented, and compared against the baseline OpenFAST simulations with classical blade element-momentum theory. Encouraging agreement has been observed.

scholarly journals A Coupled CFD/Multibody Dynamics Analysis Tool for Offshore Wind Turbines With Aeroelastic Blades

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanchuan Liu ◽  
Qing Xiao ◽  
Atilla Incecik
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Multibody Dynamics ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Dynamics Analysis ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines

Aero-elasticity is an important issue for modern large scale offshore wind turbines with long slender blades. The behaviour of deformable turbine blades influences the structure stress and thus the sustainability of blades under large unsteady wind loads. In this paper, we present a fully coupled CFD/MultiBody Dynamics analysis tool to examine this problem. The fluid flow around the turbine is solved using a high-fidelity CFD method while the structural dynamics of flexible blades is predicted using an open source code MBDyn, in which the flexible blades are modelled via a series of beam elements. Firstly, a flexible cantilever beam is simulated to verify the developed tool. The NREL 5 MW offshore wind turbine is then studied with both rigid and flexible blades to analyse the aero-elastic influence on the wind turbine structural response and aerodynamic performance. Comparison is also made against the publicly available data.

scholarly journals Modeling and Investigation of Blade Trailing Edge of Vertical Axis Offshore Wind Turbine

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 10905
Author(s):  
Lin Pan ◽  
Ze Zhu ◽  
Zhaoyang Shi ◽  
Leichong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Capture Rate ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Wind Turbine Blade ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Structure Changes ◽  
Trailing Edge Flaps

In this study, the structure of the trailing edge of the vertical axis offshore wind turbine blade is modified. First, according to the method of parameterization, the offshore wind turbine model is established, and a series of characteristics of the offshore wind turbine are obtained. Second, we add flaps with different lengths to the trailing edge of NACA0021 airfoil to obtain different dynamic characteristics. The angle of the additional trailing edge flaps is modified. Finally, a simulation model for the modified airfoil of the vertical axis offshore wind turbine is reestablished, and the variable characteristics of the performance is studied. Through the optimization and analysis of the blade structure, this study has obtained the best parameters of the length and angle of the offshore wind turbine blade trailing edge flap. The optimization of the blade structure changes the flow field around the blade, which significantly improves the maximum wind energy capture rate and self-starting ability of the vertical axis offshore wind turbine.

scholarly journals Maintenance Planning of Offshore Wind Turbine Using Condition Monitoring Information

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose´ G. Rangel-Rami´rez ◽  
John D. So̸rensen
Keyword(s):  
Condition Monitoring ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Maintenance Planning ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Inspection And Maintenance ◽  
Monitoring Information

Deterioration processes such as fatigue and corrosion are typically affecting offshore structures. To “control” this deterioration, inspection and maintenance activities are developed. Probabilistic methodologies represent an important tool to identify the suitable strategy to inspect and control the deterioration in structures such as offshore wind turbines (OWT). Besides these methods, the integration of condition monitoring information (CMI) can optimize the mitigation activities as an updating tool. In this paper, a framework for risk-based inspection and maintenance planning (RBI) is applied for OWT incorporating CMI, addressing this analysis to fatigue prone details in welded steel joints at jacket or tripod steel support structures for offshore wind turbines. The increase of turbulence in wind farms is taken into account by using a code-based turbulence model. Further, additional modes t integrate CMI in the RBI approach for optimal planning of inspection and maintenance. As part of the results, the life cycle reliabilities and inspection times are calculated, showing that earlier inspections are needed at in-wind farm sites. This is expected due to the wake turbulence increasing the wind load. With the integration of CMI by means Bayesian inference, a slightly change of first inspection times are coming up, influenced by the reduction of the uncertainty and harsher or milder external agents.

scholarly journals Improving the Strategy of Maintaining Offshore Wind Turbines through Petri Net Modelling

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 574
Author(s):  
Rundong Yan ◽  
Sarah Dunnett
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Petri Net ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Maintenance Costs ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Major Repair ◽  
Wind Turbine System ◽  
Periodic Maintenance

In order to improve the operation and maintenance (O&M) of offshore wind turbines, a new Petri net (PN)-based offshore wind turbine maintenance model is developed in this paper to simulate the O&M activities in an offshore wind farm. With the aid of the PN model developed, three new potential wind turbine maintenance strategies are studied. They are (1) carrying out periodic maintenance of the wind turbine components at different frequencies according to their specific reliability features; (2) conducting a full inspection of the entire wind turbine system following a major repair; and (3) equipping the wind turbine with a condition monitoring system (CMS) that has powerful fault detection capability. From the research results, it is found that periodic maintenance is essential, but in order to ensure that the turbine is operated economically, this maintenance needs to be carried out at an optimal frequency. Conducting a full inspection of the entire wind turbine system following a major repair enables efficient utilisation of the maintenance resources. If periodic maintenance is performed infrequently, this measure leads to less unexpected shutdowns, lower downtime, and lower maintenance costs. It has been shown that to install the wind turbine with a CMS is helpful to relieve the burden of periodic maintenance. Moreover, the higher the quality of the CMS, the more the downtime and maintenance costs can be reduced. However, the cost of the CMS needs to be considered, as a high cost may make the operation of the offshore wind turbine uneconomical.

scholarly journals Impact of Typhoons on Floating Offshore Wind Turbines: A Case Study of Typhoon Mangkhut

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 543
Author(s):  
Jiawen Li ◽  
Jingyu Bian ◽  
Yuxiang Ma ◽  
Yichen Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Safety Evaluation ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Motion Response ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Coupling Motion

A typhoon is a restrictive factor in the development of floating wind power in China. However, the influences of multistage typhoon wind and waves on offshore wind turbines have not yet been studied. Based on Typhoon Mangkhut, in this study, the characteristics of the motion response and structural loads of an offshore wind turbine are investigated during the travel process. For this purpose, a framework is established and verified for investigating the typhoon-induced effects of offshore wind turbines, including a multistage typhoon wave field and a coupled dynamic model of offshore wind turbines. On this basis, the motion response and structural loads of different stages are calculated and analyzed systematically. The results show that the maximum response does not exactly correspond to the maximum wave or wind stage. Considering only the maximum wave height or wind speed may underestimate the motion response during the traveling process of the typhoon, which has problems in guiding the anti-typhoon design of offshore wind turbines. In addition, the coupling motion between the floating foundation and turbine should be considered in the safety evaluation of the floating offshore wind turbine under typhoon conditions.

scholarly journals Physical Modelling of Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations for TRL (Technology Readiness Level) Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 589
Author(s):  
Subhamoy Bhattacharya ◽  
Domenico Lombardi ◽  
Sadra Amani ◽  
Muhammad Aleem ◽  
Ganga Prakhya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Prior Experience ◽  
Physical Modelling ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Foundation Design ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Sea Bed ◽  
Geological Conditions

Offshore wind turbines are a complex, dynamically sensitive structure due to their irregular mass and stiffness distribution, and complexity of the loading conditions they need to withstand. There are other challenges in particular locations such as typhoons, hurricanes, earthquakes, sea-bed currents, and tsunami. Because offshore wind turbines have stringent Serviceability Limit State (SLS) requirements and need to be installed in variable and often complex ground conditions, their foundation design is challenging. Foundation design must be robust due to the enormous cost of retrofitting in a challenging environment should any problem occur during the design lifetime. Traditionally, engineers use conventional types of foundation systems, such as shallow gravity-based foundations (GBF), suction caissons, or slender piles or monopiles, based on prior experience with designing such foundations for the oil and gas industry. For offshore wind turbines, however, new types of foundations are being considered for which neither prior experience nor guidelines exist. One of the major challenges is to develop a method to de-risk the life cycle of offshore wind turbines in diverse metocean and geological conditions. The paper, therefore, has the following aims: (a) provide an overview of the complexities and the common SLS performance requirements for offshore wind turbine; (b) discuss the use of physical modelling for verification and validation of innovative design concepts, taking into account all possible angles to de-risk the project; and (c) provide examples of applications in scaled model tests.

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