This thesis investigates issues like maintenance problems, key factors, maintenance challenges, maintenance solutions and practical difficulties in wind energy. In this case, surveys and interviews have been taken from several companies and maintenance experts, to find most prevailing problems and problem-solving methods since last few years. It helps to show, how the energy maintenance has been developed in past few years. Also it analyses the impact of fourth generation maintenance in wind energy production. From research questions, key factors involved in wind energy maintenance provides us with valuable suggestions to develop the maintenance methods in future vision.

Wind turbines have been used for decades to harvest wind energy. They are suitable only to work on close to ground, and have several drawbacks that are related to the availability of the wind and the amount of extracted power compared with the cost of construction. On the other hand, there is an abundant wind power that is available at high altitudes. The wind jet streams at high elevations 8 - 12 kms are pervasive and persistent, and can potentially produce immense wind energy. Even at moderate elevations of 4 - 5 kms, wind power densities are much higher than on ground and more consistent. Consequently, in this thesis research, we investigate the topic of harvesting energy from high altitudes. First, we provide a comprehensive review of two existing theoretical methods that are proposed for airborne wind energy harvesting, the tethered airfoil, and the static autogyro. The latter approach has inherent advantages that warrant further investigation. Autorotation is a well-known phenomenon where a rotor sustains its angular velocity and maintains significant lift in the presence of strong aerodynamic forces and torques generated by interaction with a strong wind field. Autorotation has been researched in the context of free descent of helicopters but has not been considered for energy harvesting. Existing models have mainly focused on statics analysis. In this research, we propose a simple dynamic model of the Autogyro, with the goal of ultimately realizing an Autorotation Energy System (AES). The focus of our work is to provide a preliminary dynamic analysis of autorotation, which is largely absent in current literature, to explore the possibility of using autorotation for designing a multipurpose system that can simultaneously fly at high altitudes and generate energy from the wind. The proposed preliminary dynamic model is used to generate a simulation platform, which is used to explore the autogyros rudimentary maneuvers. Extensive simulation results are provided to evaluate the dynamic performance of AES. Energy harvesting analyses and results are also presented. It is expected that the results will guide the choice of actuations and control that will be necessary for generating combined autorotation and powered flights that would be net energy generating or energy efficient. The research will be relevant for both tethered and untethered AES and could also be incorporated into multi-rotor based UAVs such as quadrotors.

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In this thesis work, electricty generation modeling of the wind energy -one type of the renewable energy sources- is studied. The wind energy characteristics and the distribution of wind speed in a specific region is also examined. In addition, the power curves of the wind turbines are introduced and the relationship between the wind speed and wind power is explained. The generation characteristics of the wind turbines from various types of producers are also investigated. In this study, the main wind power forecasting methods are presented and the advantages and disadvantages of the methods are analyzed. The physical approaches, statistical methods and the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) methods are introduced. The parameters that affect the capacity factor, the total energy generation and the payback period are examined. In addition, the wind turbine models and their effect on the total energy generation with different wind data from various sites are explained. As a part of this study, a MATLAB-based software about wind speed and energy modelling and payback period calculation has been developed. In order to simplify the calculation process, a Graphical User Interface (GUI) has been designed. In addition, a simple wind energy persistence model for wind power plant operator in the intra-day market has been developed.

Research focused on the reduction of uncertainties when considering the wind resource in the vicinity of forestry. This thesis examined the use of high density laser scanning technology to capture the structure of forest canopies along with the measurement of thermal effects using sonic anemometry. Methodologies were then developed to include these high quality data in Computational Fluid Dynamics software in order to allow the complex nature of forestry flows to be considered analytically.

Sustainable energy systems require deployment of new technologies to help tackle the challenges of climate change and ensuring energy supplies. Future sources of energy are less economically competitive than conventional technologies, but there is the potential for cost reduction. Tools for modelling technological change are important for assessing the deployment potential of early-stage technologies. Learning curves are a tool for assessing and forecasting cost reduction of a product achieved through experience from cumulative production. They are often used to assess technological improvements, but have a number of limitations for emerging energy technologies. Learning curves are aggregate in nature, representing overall cost reduction gained from learning-by-doing. However, they do not identify the actual factors behind the cost reduction. Using the case study of onshore wind energy, this PhD study focuses on combining learning curves with engineering assessment methods for improved methods of assessing and managing technical change for emerging energy technologies. A third approach, parametric modelling, provides a potential means to integrate the two methods.

Der mittlere Wind in der atmospärischen Grenzschicht über den deutschen Nord- und Ostseegebieten unterscheidet sich gegenüber Landflächen durch höhere Windgeschwindigkeiten, eine stärkere Zunahme mit der Höhe und schwache Tages- sowie ausgeprägte Jahresgänge der Windgeschwindigkeit in Bodennähe. Neben diesen Vorteilen ergeben sich auch Nachteile im Hinblick auf die Windenergienutzung offshore. Das betrifft die Anforderungen an die Technik der Windstromerzeugung sowie wie die Messung und Prognose der relevanten meteorologischen Parameter. Nach Abschätzungen möglicher Flächen für die Windnutzung offshore und anlagentechnischer Möglichkeiten ist von einem enormen technischen Angebotspotenzial an Elektroenergie auszugehen, dem jedoch auch Beschränkungen seitens der Netzstruktur und Nachfrage entgegenstehen. Um das große Potenzial zur Stromerzeugung und Umweltentlastung nutzen zu können, sollte die Entwicklung in den kommenden Jahren im Bereich Windprognose, Anlagenbau, Regelungstechnik und Energiespeicherung zu weiteren Verbesserungen führen. / The averaged wind in the Planetary Boundary Layer over the german North Sea and Baltic Sea areas shows some differences to the wind over land areas. There are higher wind speeds, a stronger increasing with height and slight daily and more distinctive annual variations of the near surface winds. Thats why the utilization of wind energy offshore has advantages. But also exists certain drawbacks in reference to technical requirements and the measurement and prediction of meteorological parameters. Estimations of suitable areas and technical prospects indicate a large technical offer potential of electric energy offshore, though additional restrictions must be considered. To make this potential of electric energy and environmental protection usable todays knowledge of systems and control engineering, energy storage and wind prediction should be improved in the coming years.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering / Ruth Douglas Miller / This dissertation presents the design of a novel multi-level inverter with FACTS capability for small to mid-size (10–20kW) permanent-magnet wind installations using modular multi-level converter (MMC) topology. The aim of the work is to design a new type of inverter with D-STATCOM option to provide utilities with more control on active and reactive power transfer of distribution lines. The inverter is placed between the renewable energy source, specifically a wind turbine, and the distribution grid in order to fix the power factor of the grid at a target value, regardless of wind speed, by regulating active and reactive power required by the grid. The inverter is capable of controlling active and reactive power by controlling the phase angle and modulation index, respectively. The unique contribution of the proposed work is to combine the two concepts of inverter and D-STATCOM using a novel voltage source converter (VSC) multi-level topology in a single unit without additional cost. Simulations of the proposed inverter, with 5 and 11 levels, have been conducted in MATLAB/Simulink for two systems including 20 kW/kVAR and 250 W/VAR. To validate the simulation results, a scaled version (250 kW/kVAR) of the proposed inverter with 5 and 11 levels has been built and tested in the laboratory. Experimental results show that the reduced-scale 5- and 11-level inverter is able to fix PF of the grid as well as being compatible with IEEE standards. Furthermore, total cost of the prototype models, which is one of the major objectives of this research, is comparable with market prices.

Nos últimos leilões de energia promovidos pelo Governo projetos eólicos foram protagonistas, sendo a fonte com maior número de projetos cadastrados e vencedores. Nessa perspectiva, que de fato tem fomentado o interesse, tanto por empreendedores como por agentes do setor elétrico, pelo entendimento dos fatores de risco que podem influenciar o retorno financeiro dos investidores que encontraram nesta fonte uma alternativa interessante para diversificar seu portfólio de projetos. Diante desta oportunidade, este trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia para reconstrução de séries históricas de geração eólica possibilitando estudos energéticos de complementariedade entre fontes. Esta dissertação possibilitou a avaliação da complementariedade energética entre os recursos eólicos e hídricos. Por meio da análise da correlação entre séries de geração de energia eólica e hídrica, foi possível identificar o benefício energético existente na formação de um portfólio hidro-eólico. A complementariedade entre a energia eólica e hidráulica possibilita que geradores que possuam portfolio com ambas as fontes compartilhem a exposição dos riscos relacionados à sazonalidade dos ventos, beneficiando diretamente o mercado consumidor com diminuição dos custos na geração. / In recent energy auctions, held by the government wind projects were protagonists, being the source with the highest number of registered and winning projects. From this perspective, which in fact has stimulated interest, both as investors by electrical sector agents, by understanding the risk factors that may influence the financial returns to investors who have found this an interesting alternative source to diversify its project portfolio. Considering this opportunity, this work aims to develop a methodology for reconstruction historical series of wind generation enabling studies of complementarity between energy sources. This work has enabled an evaluation of complementarity between wind and hydro generation. By analyzing, the correlation between wind and hydro series was possible to identify the energetic benefit in a composition of a hydro-wind portfolio. The complementarity between wind and hydropower enables generators in the same portfolio share risks related to exposure due to seasonality of winds, directly benefiting the market with lower generations costs, driven by increased competition resulting from the participation of wind power in all segments of marketing.

Nos últimos leilões de energia promovidos pelo Governo projetos eólicos foram protagonistas, sendo a fonte com maior número de projetos cadastrados e vencedores. Nessa perspectiva, que de fato tem fomentado o interesse, tanto por empreendedores como por agentes do setor elétrico, pelo entendimento dos fatores de risco que podem influenciar o retorno financeiro dos investidores que encontraram nesta fonte uma alternativa interessante para diversificar seu portfólio de projetos. Diante desta oportunidade, este trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia para reconstrução de séries históricas de geração eólica possibilitando estudos energéticos de complementariedade entre fontes. Esta dissertação possibilitou a avaliação da complementariedade energética entre os recursos eólicos e hídricos. Por meio da análise da correlação entre séries de geração de energia eólica e hídrica, foi possível identificar o benefício energético existente na formação de um portfólio hidro-eólico. A complementariedade entre a energia eólica e hidráulica possibilita que geradores que possuam portfolio com ambas as fontes compartilhem a exposição dos riscos relacionados à sazonalidade dos ventos, beneficiando diretamente o mercado consumidor com diminuição dos custos na geração. / In recent energy auctions, held by the government wind projects were protagonists, being the source with the highest number of registered and winning projects. From this perspective, which in fact has stimulated interest, both as investors by electrical sector agents, by understanding the risk factors that may influence the financial returns to investors who have found this an interesting alternative source to diversify its project portfolio. Considering this opportunity, this work aims to develop a methodology for reconstruction historical series of wind generation enabling studies of complementarity between energy sources. This work has enabled an evaluation of complementarity between wind and hydro generation. By analyzing, the correlation between wind and hydro series was possible to identify the energetic benefit in a composition of a hydro-wind portfolio. The complementarity between wind and hydropower enables generators in the same portfolio share risks related to exposure due to seasonality of winds, directly benefiting the market with lower generations costs, driven by increased competition resulting from the participation of wind power in all segments of marketing.