Thesis
CDT mini projects : 1. The low induction rotor ; 2. Beyond the power curve modelling of the power output of wind farms
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2025
- Thesis identifier
- T17486
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201359988
- Person Identifier (ORCID)
- 0000-0001-8875-1527
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- 1. Maximising wind turbine annual energy yields whilst minimising additional loading is a key consideration especially in offshore environments. Additional blade loads result in higher loadings on the hub, tower and foundations, hence resulting in additional overall turbine costs and potentially reduced availability. The basic principles of the design of a low induction rotor were investigated in this project whilst accounting for the effects on loads, rotor diameter and power output. The project objective was to produce a rotor design that for a given wind speed maximises the energy capture but without increasing the bending moments. Load reduction is particularly applicable to offshore wind turbines where access for maintenance is a significant issue. A small reduction in efficiency of power capture would be worth an increase in availability. The intention is to increase the power generated whilst keeping the loads constant. 2. This paper seeks to determine whether or not predictions of power output from power system modellers are currently accurate enough. For predicting the power output of a single wind turbine, how accurate is the standard power systems method which uses a power curve based on hourly wind speed data? Three alternative methods are proposed for predicting the power output time series. Each method uses a wind simulation to produce a turbulent wind field for use in a simulation of the turbine’s operation. The first model uses Bladed software, the second a turbine simulation in Simulink, and the third a power curve with high resolution wind speed data. An effective wind speed model is used for the second and third models. The conclusion reached is that the power curve using high resolution data gives the required accuracy for power systems analysis. Moreover, when compared to the other two options, the power curve with high resolution data requires less computation time for analysis when compared to the Bladed and turbine simulation models. A constrained power network is used to estimate the effect of both the high resolution and standard power systems methods on the expected curtailment, and finds that the standard method underestimates by around 12%. It is thus concluded that it is possible that the use of a standard power systems method could affect estimates of curtailment. This could have implications for network management, and could also affect estimates of the economics of wind projects with a non-firm connection.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Jamieson, Peter, 1946-
- Stock, Adam (Energy engineer)
- Infield, D. G.
- Gill, Simon
- Resource Type
- Embargo Note
Relations
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File | 2025-10-23 | University of Strathclyde |