Search results for "Wind turbines"
showing 10 items of 17 documents
A review of diagnostics and prognostics of low-speed machinery towards wind turbine farm-level health management
2016
Abstract Large wind farms are gaining prominence due to increasing dependence on renewable energy. In order to operate these wind farms reliably and efficiently, advanced maintenance strategies such as condition based maintenance are necessary. However, wind turbines pose unique challenges in terms of irregular load patterns, intermittent operation and harsh weather conditions, which have deterring effects on life of rotating machinery. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in the area of diagnostics and prognostics pertaining to two critical failure prone components of wind turbines, namely, low-speed bearings and planetary gearboxes. The survey evaluates those methods that are applicabl…
Slotted Blades Savonius Wind Turbine Analysis by CFD
2013
In this paper a new bucket configuration for a Savonius wind generator is proposed. Numerical analyses are performed to estimate the performances of the proposed configuration by means of the commercial code COMSOL Multiphysics® with respect to Savonius wind turbine with overlap only. Parametric analyses are performed, for a fixed overlap ratio, by varying the slot position; the results show that for slot positioned near the blade root, the Savonius rotor improves performances at low tip speed ratio, evidencing a better starting torque. This circumstance is confirmed by static analyses performed on the slotted blades in order to investigate the starting characteristic of the proposed Savoni…
Semiactive control for floating offshore wind turbines subject to aero-hydro dynamic loads
2011
Wind and wave dynamic loads might cause undesirable vibrations that affect the structure integrity and system performance of floating offshore wind turbines. This paper addresses the problem of dynamic load mitigation by using semiactive control techniques with the tuned liquid column dampers placed on the turbine’s tower. The control law is formulated based on the mixed H2/H∞ methods for ensuring the system stability and reliability. Furthermore, the proposed controller only uses output feedback so as to avoid the dependence on the knowledge of the states of the system. Peer Reviewed
Small Wind Technology Diffusion in Suburban Areas of Sicily
2015
Among renewable energy resources, wind energy became more attractive in the last decade. Wind farm installations dramatically increased in areas where climatic conditions, topography, and environment have allowed their development. The installation of wind turbines, usually carried out in remote areas, recently began to cover areas identified by a complex terrain such as urban and suburban zones. Although these new plant choices are characterized by lower productivity, there is increasing interest in wind energy production in both urban and suburban areas. In this work the authors have carried out an energy analysis developed from a sample of small wind turbines available on the market. Thi…
Optimum Performance of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators Coupled to Wind Turbines
2007
In this paper a control algorithm for the efficiency improvement of permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSG) is presented. The proposed algorithm reduces the losses of the generator without affecting its performances. In details, after a description of a dynamic model of the PMSG, which has been purposely modified in order to take into account the iron losses, the basic equations and the constraints to obtain the loss minimization are presented and discussed. Some simulations of a specific PMSG employing the proposed algorithm are performed. The results of these simulations show that enhancement of the efficiency up to 3% can be reached in comparison to a PMSG using a traditional cont…
Computer Aided Optimization Via Simulation Tools of Energy Generation Systems With Universal Small Wind Turbines
2012
This paper considers the general issues in the project and the optimization of energy generation systems using small universal wind turbines, suitable in Distributed Generation (DG) and computer aided optimization for a better exploitation of wind source. Optimization in this field reveal to be more and more important because the local generation and consumption of electrical power, even for grid connected generators can suffers for unevenness of wind source exploitation, also in terms of wrong directions and in not regular wind flows. Computer aided design and optimization of small plants may give significant improvements in the development of the wind source also in accordance with the pr…
Local DoS applications with micro wind generation systems
2015
In this paper a wind electrical power generation system for Distributed on Site (DoS) applications is proposed. This system was developed and conceived in order to guarantee simple installation, use and service, obtaining a product that can be easily industrialized and put into the market with limited costs. The field of application of such an electrical generation system is addressed towards domestic or at the most toward condominium applications concerning moreover the opportunity of working in addition to combined photovoltaic and solar-thermal systems to enhance the renewable energy generation at house level (DoS). The proposed system has its hot spot in the blades shape, in the wind fl…
Second-order hydrodynamic effects on the response of three semisubmersible floating offshore wind turbines
2020
Abstract Floating structures have become the most feasible solution for supporting wind turbines when offshore wind project move to deeper water. In this paper, a hydrodynamic analysis of three different semisubmersible floating offshore wind turbines is carried out including second-order hydrodynamic effects. The three examined platforms are V-shaped semisubmersible, Braceless semisubmersible and OC4-DeepCwind semisubmersible and are used to support the NREL 5 MW reference wind turbine. The main objective of the present study is to investigate and compare the hydrodynamic response of the three different semisubmersible floaters in two water depths (100 m, and 200 m) under different load co…
Effect of a Passive Tuned Mass Damper on Offshore Installation of a Wind Turbine Nacelle
2021
Abstract Although the installation of offshore wind turbines takes place in calm seas, successful mating of wind turbine components can be challenging due to the relative motions between the two mating parts. This work investigates the effect of a passive tuned mass damper on the mating processes of a nacelle for a 10-megawatt (MW) offshore wind turbine. A nacelle with lifting wires and a monopile with a mass damper are respectively modelled using the multibody formulation in the HAWC2 program. A single mass damper is tuned to target at the first natural period of the monopile and is coupled to the main program using a dynamic link library. Afterwards, numerical simulations were carried out…
Evaluating the Performances of Small Wind Turbines: A Case Study in the South of Italy
2012
AbstractAmong renewable energy resources, wind energy became more attractive in the last decade. Wind farms installations dramatically increased in areas where climatic conditions, topography and environment have allowed their development. The installation of wind turbines, usually carried out in remote areas, recently began to cover areas identified by a complex terrain such as urban and suburban zones. Although these new sites’ choices are characterized by lower productivity there is increasing interest in wind energy production in both urban and suburban area. In this work the authors have carried out an energy analysis developed from a sample of small wind turbines available on the mark…