Small wind power generation using automotive alternator

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility of using claw pole automotive alternator as a generator for small wind turbine and to compare its energy yield and generated electricity cost with commercially available systems. The comparison is based on the energy yield per swept area and cost per energy produced in a low wind speed climate. Concepts such as the selection of suitable turbine parameters and gear ratio were used to achieve good matching of the turbine characteristics with measured alternator performance in order to improve the energy yield from the alternator in battery charging application. The energy yield from the alternator integrated to a 3.9 m diameter turbine is comparable with many commercially available turbines. The generated electricity cost of a commercially available turbine can be reduced by more than a factor of 2 by replacing its generator with our proposed alternator. The alternator-based turbine system is therefore a low cost solution aimed at making wind energy available to areas where the current cost of wind technology makes it prohibitive.     

Simulation of a novel hybrid solar photovoltaic/wind system to maintain the cell surface temperature and to generate electricity

A hybrid solar photovoltaic/wind system is proposed and investigated theoretically. The hybrid system is based on attaching a converging inclined duct beneath the photovoltaic (PV) panels and directed upward after the end of the panels. A wind turbine is attached at the exit of the converging duct. The converging duct will capture wind currents that at its inlet and enhances these current by buoyancy effect created by the rejected heat from the panels. The mixed convection air flow is used in cooling the PV panels and in generating electricity by driving the wind turbine at the duct exit. A mathematical model is proposed to describe the system hydrodynamic and thermal behavior. In addition to the mixed convection case, the pure free convection case, when there is no wind speed, has been tested. The design of the wind duct capturing system is not included in this study, which should be carefully manufactured to eliminate the reversed flow. The simulation results show that the integration of both systems not only enhances the performance of PV cell due to the effective cooling but also generates more electric power from the inserted turbine. At low wind speeds, it is found that the ducting system helps more in cooling the panels rather than driving the wind turbine. At these low wind speeds, the buoyancy effect may have a significant effect. However, at high wind speeds, the ducting system acts in both cooling the panels and driving the turbine, and at these high speeds, the buoyancy effect is insignificant.     

Design and model confirmation of the intermediate scale VolturnUS floating wind turbine subjected to its extreme design conditions offshore Maine

Floating offshore wind turbines are gaining considerable interest in the renewable energy sector. Design standards for floating offshore wind turbines such as the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Guide for Building and Classing Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Installations are relatively new and few if any floating wind turbines have yet experienced the prescribed design extreme environmental conditions. Only a few pilot floating turbines have been deployed in Europe and Japan. These turbines have been designed for long return period storm events and are not likely to see their extreme design conditions during early deployment periods because of the low probability of occurrence. This paper presents data collected for an intermediate scale floating semi‐submersible turbine intentionally placed offshore Maine in a carefully selected site that subjects the prototype to scale extreme conditions on a frequent basis. This prototype, called VolturnUS 1:8, was the first grid‐connected offshore wind turbine in the Americas, and is a 1:8 scale model of a 6 MW prototype. The test site produces with a high probability 1:8 scale wave environments, and a commercial turbine has been selected so that the wind environment/rotor combination produces 1:8‐scale aerodynamic loads appropriate for the site wave environment. In the winter of 2013–2014, this prototype has seen the equivalent of 50 year to 500 year return period storms exercising it to the limits prescribed by design standards, offering a unique look at the behavior of a floating turbine subjected to extreme design conditions. Performance data are provided and compared to full‐scale predicted values from numerical models. There are two objectives in presenting this data and associated analysis: (i) validate numerical aeroelastic hydrodynamic coupled models and (ii) investigate the performance of a near full‐scale floating wind turbine in a real offshore environment that closely matches the prescribed design conditions from the ABS Guide. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Site‐specific Design Optimization of Wind Turbines

This article reports results from a European project, where site characteristics were incorporated into the design process of wind turbines, to enable site‐specific design. Two wind turbines of different concept were investigated at six different sites comprising normal flat terrain, offshore and complex terrain wind farms. Design tools based on numerical optimization and aeroelastic calculations were combined with a cost model to allow optimization for minimum cost of energy. Different scenarios were optimized ranging from modifications of selected individual components to the complete design of a new wind turbine. Both annual energy yield and design‐determining loads depended on site characteristics, and this represented a potential for site‐specific design. The maximum variation in annual energy yield was 37% and the maximum variation in blade root fatigue loads was 62%. Optimized site‐specific designs showed reductions in cost of energy by up to 15% achieved from an increase in annual energy yield and a reduction in manufacturing costs. The greatest benefits were found at sites with low mean wind speed and low turbulence. Site‐specific design was not able to offset the intrinsic economic advantage of high‐wind‐speed sites. It was not possible to design a single wind turbine for all wind climates investigated, since the differences in the design loads were too large. Multiple‐site wind turbines should be designed for generic wind conditions, which cover wind parameters encountered at flat terrain sites with a high mean wind speed. Site‐specific wind turbines should be designed for low‐mean‐wind‐speed sites and complex terrain. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

风力发电发展简史及各类型风力机比较概述

当今对风能的利用,主要是用来发电,通过对风能发电历史的回顾和对水平轴和垂直轴风力发电机的比较,使人们对垂直轴风力发电机有了更加广泛的认识。     

Economic feasibility of electricity generation from wind farms: A case study

Environmental problems, population growth, and the recent energy crisis have emphasized the need for zero-emission technologies while also ensuring economic feasibility. This work presents the economic advantages of using wind energy for power generation in Iran. A theoretical model is developed, which predicts the output power under various geographical and operating conditions. The wind data (speed and direction) of 2-h interval long-term period from December 2010 to October 2015 was adopted and analyzed to evaluate the levelized costs of electricity (COE) for power generation from wind farms (Arsanjan, Lamerd, and Abadeh) for the year 2018 per time. The influence of two important geographical factors namely winds speed and air humidity on output power also was studied. The results showed that the output power increases continuously when the wind speed varies from 2.0 to 2.6 m/s probably due to the compression of air passing through the wind turbine.     

变桨距风力发电机额定风速的确定方法

根据风速的Weibull分布特性和变桨距风力发电机的发电特性,构建不同额定风速下风力发电机年发电量计算方法.应用美国可再生能源实验室(NREL)对风力发电成本的研究成果,建立了变桨距风力发电机发电的度电成本数学模型,提出了以度电成本最低为目标的额定风速确定方法,为变桨距风力发电机的额定风速最优选择提供了计算依据.     

Performance investigation of an integrated wind energy system for co-generation of power and hydrogen

In this paper, a wind turbine energy system is integrated with a hydrogen fuel cell and proton exchange membrane electrolyzer to provide electricity and heat to a community of households. Different cases for varying wind speeds are taken into consideration. Wind turbines meet the electricity demand when there is sufficient wind speed available. During high wind speeds, the excess electricity generated is supplied to the electrolyzer to produce hydrogen which is stored in a storage tank. It is later utilized in the fuel cell to provide electricity during periods of low wind speeds to overcome the shortage of electricity supply. The fuel cell operates during high demand conditions and provides electricity and heat for the residential application. The overall efficiency of the system is calculated at different wind speeds. The overall energy and exergy efficiencies at a wind speed 5 m/s are then found to be 20.2% and 21.2% respectively.     

Thermodynamic analysis of wind energy

Wind energy is assessed thermodynamically, from resource and technology perspectives. The thermodynamic characteristics of wind are considered. Wind speed is affected by air temperature and pressure and has an effect on wind turbine performance, based on wind chill effect and Bernoulli's equation. The wind chill effect leads to temperature differences that suggest enthalpy and entropy components must be considered in a thermodynamic analysis. The wind pressure effect based on Bernoulli's equation affects the entropy of wind. These components have not previously been considered in evaluations of wind turbine efficiency for electricity generation. A new efficiency formula for wind energy systems is described, which provides important information about the system. It is seen that average differences between energy and exergy efficiencies are approximately 40% at low wind speeds and up to approximately 55% at high wind speeds. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sensitivity of southern California wind energy to turbine characteristics

Using output from a high‐resolution meteorological simulation, we evaluate the sensitivity of southern California wind energy generation to variations in key characteristics of current wind turbines. These characteristics include hub height, rotor diameter and rated power, and depend on turbine make and model. They shape the turbine's power curve and thus have large implications for the energy generation capacity of wind farms. For each characteristic, we find complex and substantial geographical variations in the sensitivity of energy generation. However, the sensitivity associated with each characteristic can be predicted by a single corresponding climate statistic, greatly simplifying understanding of the relationship between climate and turbine optimization for energy production. In the case of the sensitivity to rotor diameter, the change in energy output per unit change in rotor diameter at any location is directly proportional to the weighted average wind speed between the cut‐in speed and the rated speed. The sensitivity to rated power variations is likewise captured by the percent of the wind speed distribution between the turbines rated and cut‐out speeds. Finally, the sensitivity to hub height is proportional to lower atmospheric wind shear. Using a wind turbine component cost model, we also evaluate energy output increase per dollar investment in each turbine characteristic. We find that rotor diameter increases typically provide a much larger wind energy boost per dollar invested, although there are some zones where investment in the other two characteristics is competitive. Our study underscores the need for joint analysis of regional climate, turbine engineering and economic modeling to optimize wind energy production. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling and control of variable speed wind turbines for power system studies

Modern wind turbines are predominantly variable speed wind turbines with power electronic interface. Emphasis in this paper is therefore on the modelling and control issues of these wind turbine concepts and especially on their impact on the power system. The models and control are developed and implemented in the power system simulation tool DIgSILENT. Important issues like the fault ride‐through and grid support capabilities of these wind turbine concepts are addressed. The paper reveals that advanced control of variable speed wind turbines can improve power system stability. Finally, it will be shown in the paper that wind parks consisting of variable speed wind turbines can help nearby connected fixed speed wind turbines to ride‐through grid faults. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

新型双风轮风力机气动特性的三维流场数值模拟

基于Simplic算法,采用SST κ-ω湍流模型,利用Fluent6．3数值模拟软件对新型的小型双风轮风力机的气动特性进行了三维流场研究,并与同规格单风轮风力机的三维流场进行了比较．结果表明：与单风轮风力机相比,随着后风轮叶片数目的增加,新型双风轮风力机的湍流强度变大,风力机运行的稳定性在一定程度上有所降低;当后风轮的叶片数目合理时,后风轮对前风轮的影响较小,且可以有效地捕捉到前风轮的漏风,使得新型双风轮风力机的风轮在获得较大迎风面积的同时可以保持较高的转速,进而能够高效地实现风能的两级利用,明显提高发电功率和增大风能利用系数．     

Influence of blade rotation on the lightning stroke characteristic of a wind turbine

The blades of a wind turbine rotate during normal operation. To investigate the influence of blade rotation on the lightning‐attracting ability of a wind turbine, a discharge test platform is designed for scaled wind turbines. The 50% impulse voltages and flash probabilities of the scaled wind turbines with gap distances of 1 to 8 m in the static and rotary conditions are determined by using the discharge test and selective discharge test. The discharge test for a single wind turbine with a gap of 1 to 2 m indicates that the breakdown voltages of the gap between the scaled turbine and electrodes increases with an increase in the blade rotation speed. However, the discharge test with a gap distance of 4 to 8 m indicates that the breakdown voltage of the fan decreases with an increase in the blade rotation speed. The test results of the scaled dual wind turbines experiment have the same rules. To explain this phenomenon, the influence of wind speed on the space‐charge distribution and electrical field intensity of corona discharge is simulated in the background of a target thundercloud. The rotation of the fan reduces the space‐charge density near the area of the blade tip, which leads to an increase in the field strength near the blade tip of the wind turbine and a decrease in the field strength away from the blade tip. This influence varies in short and long air gap, resulting in opposite relationships between discharge voltage and distance from the tip of the turbine. The results can provide a reference for the lightning protection of wind turbines.     

基于运行数据的风电机组转矩控制性能评估

风电机组的性能评估方法具有多样性及复杂性的特点,基于风电场SCADA系统中采集的大量风电机组运行数据,对风电机组转矩控制的性能评估方法进行了研究。在深入分析风电机组中发电机转速与发电机转矩关系的基础上,提出了风电机组在最佳风能利用系数Cp(max)跟踪区内的转矩优化控制的性能评估方法。通过筛选有效数据,拟合计算出风电机组的实际运行转矩增益系数;再通过与理论最优转矩增益系数进行对比,找出风能捕获能力较弱的风电机组,进而采取措施提高其发电量。通过软件仿真及案例分析表明,该方法在不增加设备及成本的情况下,可有效识别因转矩控制的性能差而影响发电量的风电机组,以便及时进行控制策略调校,维护风电场的利益。     

小型风力发电机组优化控制策略与实验研究

提出一种小型风力发电机组功率的优化控制策略.根据选定的300 W/24 V永磁发电机,使用Wilson叶片设计计算模型,应用MATLAB语言设计了300 W风机叶片;并针对现有风机控制系统中将控制器的设计与叶片、电机的匹配特性彼此孤立、分离的现象,设计出与风力发电机的电机、叶片相互匹配的控制器.在风洞试验中测试了样机在8、10 、12 、15 m/s等风速一定条件下,功率随系统电压的变化规律,当降低系统电压时,风机输出功率会一直下降,在此过程中并没有出现功率增加的现象,也就充分证明了工作在峰前区域的风力发电机,当风速大于额定风速时,控制系统可以通过减小接入系统的负载电阻值来控制其功率.这对研究小型风力发电系统的可控性、可靠性和耐久性有一定的指导意义和实用价值.     

Simulation and wake analysis of a single vertical axis wind turbine

Because of several design advantages and operational characteristics, particularly in offshore farms, vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are being reconsidered as a complementary technology to horizontal axial turbines. However, considerable gaps remain in our understanding of VAWT performance since cross‐flow rotor configurations have been significantly less studied than axial turbines. This study examines the wakes of VAWTs and how their evolution is influenced by turbine design parameters. An actuator line model is implemented in an atmospheric boundary layer large eddy simulation code, with offline coupling to a high‐resolution blade‐scale unsteady Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes model. The large eddy simulation captures the turbine‐to‐farm scale dynamics, while the unsteady Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes captures the blade‐to‐turbine scale flow. The simulation results are found to be in good agreement with three existing experimental datasets. Subsequently, a parametric study of the flow over an isolated VAWT, carried out by varying solidities, height‐to‐diameter aspect ratios and tip speed ratios, is conducted. The analyses of the wake area and velocity and power deficits yield an improved understanding of the downstream evolution of VAWT wakes, which in turn enables a more informed selection of turbine designs for wind farms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

大型太阳能烟囱发电站热力分析与计算

利用热力学方法建立太阳能烟囱发电系统中集热棚、烟囱及风力透平的热气流能量转换过程的理论模型及求解方法.鉴于太阳能烟囱发电站的大尺寸特征,采用一维假设建立热气流传热模型,使用龙格-库塔方法对非线性能量方程进行数值求解.对集热棚直径3 600 m,烟囱高950 m,设计功率100 MW的大型太阳能烟囱发电站进行分析与计算,给出了该电站的风力透平轴功率随质量流量和太阳辐射强度变化的规律,为风力透平机组提供热力气动设计参数,为大规模开发利用太阳能提供借鉴.     

Accounting for the speed shear in wind turbine power performance measurement

The current IEC standard for wind turbine power performance measurement only requires measurement of the wind speed at hub height assuming this wind speed to be representative for the whole rotor swept area. However, the power output of a wind turbine depends on the kinetic energy flux, which itself depends on the wind speed profile, especially for large turbines. Therefore, it is important to characterize the wind profile in front of the turbine, and this should be preferably achieved by measuring the wind speed over the vertical range between lower and higher rotor tips. In this paper, we describe an experiment in which wind speed profiles were measured in front of a multimegawatt turbine using a ground–based pulsed lidar. Ignoring the vertical shear was shown to overestimate the kinetic energy flux of these profiles, in particular for those deviating significantly from a power law profile. As a consequence, the power curve obtained for these deviant profiles was different from that obtained for the ‘near power law’ profiles. An equivalent wind speed based on the kinetic energy derived from the measured wind speed profile was then used to plot the performance curves. The curves obtained for the two kinds of profiles were very similar, corresponding to a significant reduction of the scatter for an undivided data set. This new method for power curve measurement results in a power curve less sensitive to shear. It is therefore expected to eventually reduce the power curve measurement uncertainty and improve the annual energy production estimation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

新型海上风力发电及其关键技术研究

回顾国外海上风力发电场的发展,针对随着海水深度增加导致海上风力机成本急剧上升的矛盾,引入海上漂浮式风力机概念,并详细介绍其结构和特点,通过系统介绍海上漂浮式风力机组成部分和设计制造中的关键技术,最后得出海上漂浮式风机是一种潜力巨大的新型风力发电技术,值得进一步深入研究。同时,针对我国陆、海资源的具体情况,较为系统地提出了海上漂浮式风力机研究的需要关注的关键问题,指出了该研究所具有的巨大社会经济价值。     

环境风对燃气轮机通风系统影响的数值模拟研究

工业燃气轮机在全封闭的箱装体中运行时,需要设置通风系统。当外界环境风速较高时,会对通风系统的进口和出口条件造成影响,进而影响燃气轮机通风系统的整体性能。本文以某型燃气轮机通风系统为研究对象,采用数值模拟方法,研究不同风速(0.5～55.2 m/s)和风向(顺风、逆风、侧风)对通风性能的影响,并与现场实际测得的数据进行对比,验证数值模拟方法的准确性。通过分析不同风况下的结果发现,当机组侧向来风时对通风性能的影响较大。对此的解决方案为将迎风一侧的排风口封死,使通风系统单侧排风。计算结果表明：这种方案可保证通风系统在7级风以上情况下以额定工况的76%继续工作。