scholarly journals Effect of the Coupled Pitch–Yaw Motion on the Unsteady Aerodynamic Performance and Structural Response of a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 290
Author(s):  
Ziwen Chen ◽  
Xiaodong Wang ◽  
Shun Kang
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Pitch Motion ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamic ◽  
Platform Motions

The floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) have many more advantages than the onshore wind turbines, but they also have more complicated aerodynamic characteristics due to complex platform motions. The research objective of this paper is to investigate unsteady aerodynamic characteristics of a FOWT under the pitch, yaw, and coupled pitch–yaw platform motions using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method in the Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulations. The pitch, yaw, and coupled pitch–yaw motions are studied separately to analyze the platform motions’ effects on the rotor blade. The accuracy of the numerical simulation method is verified, and the overall performances, including power and thrust, are discussed. In addition, the comparison of total aerodynamic performance, force coefficients at different spans and structural dynamic response is provided. The numerical simulation results show that the platform pitching is the main influencing factor of power fluctuation, and the average thrust values of the pitch, yaw, and coupled motions are consistent regardless of the frequency value. The angle of attack (AOA) of airfoils is much more sensitive to the yaw motion, while the blade normal and tangential forces are mainly affected by pitch motion. As for the structural response, the results suggest that the aerodynamic loads of the wind turbine are more sensitive to the pitch motion, which is confirmed by the thrust force and torque of each blade during the platform motions.

Investigations of Unsteady Aerodynamics of an Offshore Floating Wind Turbine With Platform Motions Using Dual-Sliding Method

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodong Wang ◽  
Zhaoliang Ye ◽  
Ziwen Chen ◽  
Yize Guo ◽  
Yujun Qiao
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Sliding Mesh ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamic ◽  
Floating Wind Turbine ◽  
Mesh Method ◽  
Offshore Floating Wind Turbine ◽  
Platform Motions

Abstract Offshore wind energy developed rapidly in recent years. Due to the platform motions causing by ocean waves, the aerodynamics of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWT) show strong unsteady characters than onshore wind turbines. The widely used methods to investigate the unsteady aerodynamic performance of wind turbine are Blade Element Momentum (BEM) and Free-Vortex Wake (FVW) methods. The accuracy of these two methods strongly depend on empirical formula or correction models. However, for dynamics motions of wind turbine, there is still a lack of accurate models. CFD simulations using overset or dynamic mesh methods also have been used for FOWT aerodynamic investigations. However, the mesh deforming or reconstruction methods are usually suitable for small movement of wind turbine blade. In this paper, a dual-sliding mesh method is employed to simulate the unsteady aerodynamic characters of an offshore floating wind turbine with supporting platform motions using Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulations. Both rotor rotation and platform motions are treated as rigid angular motions. The relative motion and data exchange were simulated using sliding mesh method. The NREL 5MW reference wind turbine with platform pitching and rolling motions are considered. The pitching and rolling motions of floating platform are simplified in the form of a prescribed sinusoidal function. Different conditions with two amplitudes and two frequencies of pitching and rolling motions were investigated. URANS were performed with full structured mesh for wind turbine rotor using commercial software FLUENT. The platform motions were set using User Defined Function (UDF). Transitional Shear Stress Turbulence (T-SST) model was employed. The simulation results were compared with BEM method and FVW method results. Both steady status and dynamic pitching processes are investigated. The variations of wind turbine aerodynamic load, as well as the aerodynamic character of airfoils at different spanwise positions, were obtained and analyzed in detail. The simulations results show that the platform pitching introduce remarkable influence on the wind turbine aerodynamic performance. The platform pitching has much larger influence on the wind turbine power and thrust than the platform rolling. The dual-sliding mesh method shows potentials to investigation the dynamic process with multiple rigid motions.

scholarly journals Unsteady aerodynamic analysis for offshore floating wind turbines under different wind conditions

2015 ◽  
Vol 373 (2035) ◽  
pp. 20140080 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. F. Xu ◽  
T. G. Wang ◽  
Y. Yuan ◽  
J. F. Cao
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Floating Platform ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamic ◽  
Blade Root ◽  
Platform Motions

A free-vortex wake (FVW) model is developed in this paper to analyse the unsteady aerodynamic performance of offshore floating wind turbines. A time-marching algorithm of third-order accuracy is applied in the FVW model. Owing to the complex floating platform motions, the blade inflow conditions and the positions of initial points of vortex filaments, which are different from the fixed wind turbine, are modified in the implemented model. A three-dimensional rotational effect model and a dynamic stall model are coupled into the FVW model to improve the aerodynamic performance prediction in the unsteady conditions. The effects of floating platform motions in the simulation model are validated by comparison between calculation and experiment for a small-scale rigid test wind turbine coupled with a floating tension leg platform (TLP). The dynamic inflow effect carried by the FVW method itself is confirmed and the results agree well with the experimental data of a pitching transient on another test turbine. Also, the flapping moment at the blade root in yaw on the same test turbine is calculated and compares well with the experimental data. Then, the aerodynamic performance is simulated in a yawed condition of steady wind and in an unyawed condition of turbulent wind, respectively, for a large-scale wind turbine coupled with the floating TLP motions, demonstrating obvious differences in rotor performance and blade loading from the fixed wind turbine. The non-dimensional magnitudes of loading changes due to the floating platform motions decrease from the blade root to the blade tip.

scholarly journals A Surface Ice Module for Wind Turbine Dynamic Response Simulation Using FAST

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bingbin Yu ◽  
Dale G. Karr ◽  
Huimin Song ◽  
Senu Sirnivas
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Foundation Soil ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Ice Failure ◽  
Lock In

Developing offshore wind energy has become more and more serious worldwide in recent years. Many of the promising offshore wind farm locations are in cold regions that may have ice cover during wintertime. The challenge of possible ice loads on offshore wind turbines raises the demand of modeling capacity of dynamic wind turbine response under the joint action of ice, wind, wave, and current. The simulation software FAST is an open source computer-aided engineering (CAE) package maintained by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In this paper, a new module of FAST for assessing the dynamic response of offshore wind turbines subjected to ice forcing is presented. In the ice module, several models are presented which involve both prescribed forcing and coupled response. For conditions in which the ice forcing is essentially decoupled from the structural response, ice forces are established from existing models for brittle and ductile ice failure. For conditions in which the ice failure and the structural response are coupled, such as lock-in conditions, a rate-dependent ice model is described, which is developed in conjunction with a new modularization framework for FAST. In this paper, analytical ice mechanics models are presented that incorporate ice floe forcing, deformation, and failure. For lower speeds, forces slowly build until the ice strength is reached and ice fails resulting in a quasi-static condition. For intermediate speeds, the ice failure can be coupled with the structural response and resulting in coinciding periods of the ice failure and the structural response. A third regime occurs at high speeds of encounter in which brittle fracturing of the ice feature occurs in a random pattern, which results in a random vibration excitation of the structure. An example wind turbine response is simulated under ice loading of each of the presented models. This module adds to FAST the capabilities for analyzing the response of wind turbines subjected to forces resulting from ice impact on the turbine support structure. The conditions considered in this module are specifically addressed in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 19906:2010 for arctic offshore structures design consideration. Special consideration of lock-in vibrations is required due to the detrimental effects of such response with regard to fatigue and foundation/soil response. The use of FAST for transient, time domain simulation with the new ice module is well suited for such analyses.

Numerical Simulation of Dynamics of a Spar Type Floating Wind Turbine and Comparison With Laboratory Measurements

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunseong Min ◽  
Cheng Peng ◽  
Fei Duan ◽  
Zhiqiang Hu ◽  
Jun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Wind Loads ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
The Cost

Wind turbines are popular for harnessing wind energy. Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWT) installed in relatively deep water may have advantages over their on-land or shallow-water cousins because winds over deep water are usually steadier and stronger. As the size of wind turbines becomes larger and larger for reducing the cost per kilowatt, it could bring installation and operation risks in the deep water due to the lack of track records. Thus, together with laboratory tests, numerical simulations of dynamics of FOWT are desirable to reduce the probability of failure. In this study, COUPLE-FAST was initially employed for the numerical simulations of the OC3-HYWIND, a spar type platform equipped with the 5-MW baseline wind turbine proposed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The model tests were conducted at the Deepwater Offshore Basin in Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) with a 1:50 Froude scaling [1]. In comparison of the simulation using COUPLE-FAST with the corresponding measurements, it was found that the predicted motions were in general significantly smaller than the related measurements. The main reason is that the wind loads predicted by FAST were well below the related measurements. Large discrepancies are expected because the prototype and laboratory wind loads do not follow Froude number similarity although the wind speed was increased (or decreased) in the tests such that the mean surge wind force matched that predicted by FAST at the nominal wind speed (Froude similarity) in the cases of a land wind turbine [1]. Therefore, an alternative numerical simulation was made by directly inputting the measured wind loads to COUPLE instead of the ones predicted by FAST. The related simulated results are much improved and in satisfactory agreement with the measurements.

Numerical Simulation for the Starting Characteristics of a Wind Turbine

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 215-221
Author(s):  
Anna Kuwana ◽  
Xue Yan Bai ◽  
Dan Yao ◽  
Haruo Kobayashi
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Optimum Shape ◽  
Blade Thickness ◽  
Basic Characteristics ◽  
Starting Characteristics

There are many types of wind turbine. Large propeller-type wind turbines are used mainly for large wind farms and offshore wind power generation. Small vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are often used in distributed energy systems. In previous studies on wind turbines, the basic characteristics such as torque coefficient have often been obtained during rotation, with the turbine rotating at a constant speed. Such studies are necessary for the proper design of wind turbines. However, it is also necessary to conduct research under conditions in which the wind direction and wind speed change over time. Numerical simulation of the starting characteristics is carried out in this study. Based on the flow field around the wind turbine, the force required to rotate the turbine is calculated. The force used to stop the turbine is modeled based on friction in relation to the bearing. Equations for the motion of the turbine are solved by their use as external force. Wind turbine operation from the stationary state to the start of rotation is simulated. Five parameters, namely, blade length, wind turbine radius, overlap, gap, and blade thickness, are changed and the optimum shape is obtained. The simulation results tend to qualitatively agree with the experimental results for steadily rotating wind turbines in terms of two aspects: (1) the optimal shape has an 20% overlap of the turbine radius, and (2) the larger the gap, the lower the efficiency.

Numerical Simulation on the Flow Control by Mounting Indented Gurney Flaps for a Wind Turbine

2012 ◽  
Vol 512-515 ◽  
pp. 623-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan Li Zhao ◽  
Xiao Lei Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Numerical Investigation ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Optimal Position ◽  
Gurney Flaps ◽  
Turbine Performance ◽  
Gurney Flap ◽  
Practical Engineering

Numerical investigation of large thick and low Reynolds airfoil of wind turbines by mounting indented Gurney flaps was carried out. The influenced rules of the position of Gurney flaps on the aerodynamic performance of airfoil under same height of flaps were achieved, and the optimal position of Gurney flap was presented. At last, the mechanism of wind turbine performance controlled by Gurney flap was discussed. The results can provide the theoretical guidance and technical support to wind turbines control in practical engineering.

Dynamic Responses of a Spar Type Floating Offshore Wind Turbine With Failed Moorings

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yajun Ren ◽  
Vengatesan Venugopal
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Platform Motions

Abstract The complex dynamic characteristics of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs) have raised wider consideration, as they are likely to experience harsher environments and higher instabilities than the bottom fixed offshore wind turbines. Safer design of a mooring system is critical for floating offshore wind turbine structures for station keeping. Failure of mooring lines may lead to further destruction, such as significant changes to the platform’s location and possible collisions with a neighbouring platform and eventually complete loss of the turbine structure may occur. The present study focuses on the dynamic responses of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)’s OC3-Hywind spar type floating platform with a NREL offshore 5-MW baseline wind turbine under failed mooring conditions using the fully coupled numerical simulation tool FAST. The platform motions in surge, heave and pitch under multiple scenarios are calculated in time-domain. The results describing the FOWT motions in the form of response amplitude operators (RAOs) and spectral densities are presented and discussed in detail. The results indicate that the loss of the mooring system firstly leads to longdistance drift and changes in platform motions. The natural frequencies and the energy contents of the platform motion, the RAOs of the floating structures are affected by the mooring failure to different degrees.

Resonance Avoidance of Offshore Wind Turbines

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin L. Pollack ◽  
Brian J. Petersen ◽  
Benjamin S. H. Connell ◽  
David S. Greeley ◽  
Dwight E. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Support Structure ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Wind Turbine System ◽  
Dynamic Forces ◽  
Technical Basis

Coincidence of structural resonances with wind turbine dynamic forces can lead to large amplitude stresses and subsequent accelerated fatigue. For this reason, the wind turbine system is designed to avoid resonance coincidence. In particular, the current practice is to design the wind turbine support structure such that its fundamental resonance does not coincide with the fundamental rotational and blade passing frequencies of the rotor. For offshore wind turbines, resonance avoidance is achieved by ensuring that the support structure fundamental resonant frequency lies in the frequency band between the rotor and blade passing frequencies over the operating range of the turbine. This strategy is referred to as “soft-stiff” and has major implications for the structural design of the wind turbine. This paper details the technical basis for the “soft-stiff” resonance avoidance design methodology, investigates potential vulnerabilities in this approach, and explores the sensitivity of the wind turbine structural response to different aspects of the system’s design. The assessment addresses the wind turbine forcing functions, the coupled dynamic responses and resonance characteristics of the wind turbine’s structural components, and the system’s susceptibility to fatigue failure. It is demonstrated that the design practices for offshore wind turbines should reflect the importance of aerodynamic damping for the suppression of deleterious vibrations, consider the possibility of foundation degradation and its influence on the support structure’s fatigue life, and include proper treatment of important ambient sources such as wave and gust loading. These insights inform potential vibration mitigation and resonance avoidance strategies, which are briefly discussed.

The unsteady aerodynamics of floating wind turbine under platform pitch motion

2018 ◽  
Vol 232 (8) ◽  
pp. 1019-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Shen ◽  
Ping Hu ◽  
Jinge Chen ◽  
Xiaocheng Zhu ◽  
Zhaohui Du
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamics ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Floating Platform ◽  
Pitch Motion ◽  
Floating Wind Turbine ◽  
Fixed Base ◽  
Turbine Rotors

The aerodynamic performance of floating platform wind turbines is much more complex than fixed-base wind turbines because of the flexibility of the floating platform. Due to the extra six degrees-of-freedom of the floating platform, the inflow of the wind turbine rotors is highly influenced by the motions of the floating platform. It is therefore of interest to study the unsteady aerodynamics of the wind turbine rotors involved with the interaction of the floating platform induced motions. In the present work, a lifting surface method with a free wake model is developed for analysis of the unsteady aerodynamics of wind turbines. The aerodynamic performance of the NREL 5 MW floating wind turbine under the prescribed floating platform pitch motion is studied. The unsteady aerodynamic loads, the transient of wind turbine states, and the instability of the wind turbine wakes are discussed in detail.

Surrogate-Based Recurrence Framework Approach to Unsteady Aerodynamic Modeling of Wind Turbine Airfoils

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengyin Liu ◽  
Xiaocheng Zhu ◽  
Guohua Yu ◽  
Zhaohui Du
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamics ◽  
Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Analysis And Design ◽  
Aerodynamic Modeling ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamic ◽  
Cfd Method ◽  
Turbine Airfoils

This paper proposes a method for predicting unsteady aerodynamics of wind turbine airfoils using surrogate-based recurrence framework (SBRF) method. Using specified simulation results generated by the CFD method in some conditions, the unsteady aerodynamic model could be established by the Kriging surrogate model. Then, time-domain predictions of unsteady lift, moment, and drag in different conditions can be gained by the SBRF method with minimal computational expense. Some parameters have been set according to the operational condition of wind turbines so as to describe the unsteady aerodynamic modeling problem. The unsteady aerodynamic performance of the wind turbine airfoils in some training conditions is carried out by the commercial CFD simulator CFX, the results of which could be utilized to build the SBRF. Then the predicted time-varying aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbine airfoils in the validated condition could be obtained by the SBRF method and the CFD simulation, respectively. It is revealed from the results that the time-varying aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbine airfoils in most dynamic stall cases can accurately approximate by the SBRF method. In addition, the SBRF method has relatively less computational cost compared with the CFD method. Therefore, it can be used as the foundation of aero-elastic analysis and design optimization studies of wind turbines.

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