Horizontal-axis wind turbines operate in a complex, inherently unsteady aerodynamic environment. The flow over the blades is dominated by 3-D effects, particularly during stall, which is accompanied by massive flow separation and vortex shedding. There is always bluff-body shedding from the turbine nacelle and support structure which interacts with the rotor wake. In addition, the high aspect ratios of wind turbine blades make them very flexible, leading to substantial aeroelastic deformation of the blades, altering the aerodynamics. Finally, when situated in a wind farm, turbines must operate in the unsteady wake of upstream neighbors. Though computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has made significant inroads as a research tool, simple, inexpensive methods, such as blade element momentum theory, are still the workhorses in wind turbine design and aeroelasticity applications. These methods are unable to accurately predict rotor loads near the edges of the operating envelope. In this work, a range of unstructured grid CFD techniques for predicting wind turbine loads and aeroelasticity has been developed and applied to the NREL Unsteady Aerodynamics Experiment Phase VI rotor. First, a kd-tree based nearest neighbor search algorithm was used to improve the computational efficiency of an approximate unsteady actuator blade method. This method was then shown to predict root and tip vortex locations and strengths similar to an overset method, but without the computational expense of modeling the blade surfaces. A hybrid Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes / Large Eddy Simulation (HRLES) turbulence model was extended to an unstructured grid framework and demonstrated to improve predictions of unsteady loading and shedding frequency in massively separated cases. For aeroelastic predictions, a methodology for tight coupling between an unstructured CFD solver and a computational structural dynamics tool was developed. Finally, time-accurate overset rotor simulations of a complete turbine---blades, nacelle, and tower---were conducted using both RANS and HRLES turbulence models. The HRLES model was able to accurately predict rotor loads when stalled. In yawed flow, excellent correlations of mean blade loads with experimental data were obtained across the span, and wake asymmetry and unsteadiness were also well-predicted.

This thesis presents investigations on the potential negative effects of wind turbine noise on the human ear from a sound point source (i.e. wind farm). In Chapter 2, the tectorial membrane, which is a crucial gelatinous structural matrix located within the cochlea of the inner ear, is considered to have a similar constitutive stress-strain relationship to that of an elastomer (rubber) in tension. The tectorial membrane appears to stretch when subjected to constant heavy sound stimulation. The tectorial membrane is modeled as a simply-supported beam with an external load Pext applied at midspan. A virtual work approach is used to balance the external work at midspan Pextδz of the tectorial membrane with the internal strain energy from its hysteresis loops. These hysteresis loops quantify the amount of damage that the tectorial membrane undergoes due to an applied external loading. Normalized damage tables are presented at the end of the chapter to suggest safe distances away from the wind turbines to limit damage to the tectorial membrane. Chapter 3 considers a hypothetical autonomous village constructed in South Pretoria, South Africa. This village accommodates approximately 2000 people (~500 families) and receives electricity for hot water from a nearby 2.5 MW wind farm. The design process for the village is discussed from an architectural and design standpoint. The wind farm specifications, specifically the number of 2.5 MW wind turbines needed to provide electricity for hot water, are established. Results from Chapter 2 are used to suggest minimum safe distances between the wind farm and the autonomous village in the context of limiting damage to the tectorial membrane.

<p>The purpose of this thesis is to explore disruptions Swedish wind turbines onshore are exposed to, and to estimate their economic impacts on the operators. We want to investigate whether there is a need for a more developed service and maintenance market within the Swedish wind power market.</p><p>This study focuses on wind power, a renewable energy source in an emerging market, which experiences exponential growth. Sweden is a minor actor in the wind power market with a production of around 2 TWh yearly. The government aims at a total production of 10TWh in 2015 and 20TWh in 2020, which equals an annual growth of 24%. However, we hypothesize that the Swedish wind power market is negatively affected by a service and maintenance market which is underdeveloped due to a lack of competition. This results in lengthy repair times and disproportionate costs for wind power operators.</p><p>The study was carried out by conducting semi-structured qualitative interviews and by sending out a survey to approximately 300 wind power operators. Six interviewees were wind power operators and one interviewee was a representative from an independent service supplier. We have also analysed the current cost situation of operators with theories about maintenance costs and we have also carried out an industry analysis on the service and maintenance market, which was based on Porter’s structural industry analysis.</p><p>After conducting a structural analysis of the service and maintenance market, we can conclude a lack of competition today as there is a dominance of the wind turbine manufacturers as the service supplier. Furthermore we can see that this lack of competition has negative effects on the efficiency of the service and maintenance provided. The results also stress a need for a more developed service and maintenance market. We have found that the profitability for the Swedish wind power operators is challenged if the service and maintenance market is not keeping pace and meeting the demands of the rapidly growing Swedish wind power market as a whole.</p>

Manufacturer-specific models of wind turbines are favored for use in wind power interconnection studies. While they are detailed and accurate, their usages are limited to the terms of the non-disclosure agreement, thus stifling model sharing. The primary objective of the work proposed is to develop universal manufacturer-independent wind power plant models that can be shared, used, and improved without any restrictions by project developers, manufacturers, and engineers. Each of these models includes representations of general turbine aerodynamics, the mechanical drive-train, and the electrical characteristics of the generator and converter, as well as the control systems typically used. In order to determine how realistic model performance is, the performance of the one of the models (doubly fed induction generator model) has been validated using real-world wind power plant data. This work also documents selected applications of these models. / text

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία πραγματεύεται τη μελέτη της λειτουργίας και τη δημιουργία ενός μικροδικτύου, στο χώρο του Κτηρίου Βαρέων Ηλεκτρολόγων του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών. Επιπρόσθετα, πραγματεύεται την κατασκευή ενός εξομοιωτή φορτίου μιας απαιτητικής από άποψης ενέργειας κατοικίας. Η εργασία αυτή εκπονήθηκε στο Εργαστήριο Ηλεκτρομηχανικής Μετατροπής Ενέργειας του Τμήματος Ηλεκτρολόγων Μηχανικών και Τεχνολογίας Υπολογιστών της Πολυτεχνικής Σχολής του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών. Απώτερος σκοπός της εργασίας είναι η συνολική κατασκευή μίας διάταξης για την εξομοίωση της ενεργειακής ζήτησης μιας μονοκατοικίας. Η διάταξη, για την υλοποίηση του αυτοματισμού, διαθέτει έναν προγραμματιζόμενο λογικό ελεγκτή (ΠΛΕ). Ο προγραμματισμός του ΠΛΕ και η εξομοίωση της λειτουργίας των οικιακών συσκευών υπήρξε το κύριο αντικείμενο της παρούσας εργασίας. Μετά την ολοκλήρωσή της θα είναι δυνατή η σύνδεσή της σε ένα μικροδίκτυο με σκοπούς τη βελτιστοποίηση της απόδοσής του καθώς και τη μελέτη της συμπεριφοράς κατά τη λειτουργία του. Η εκπόνηση της εργασίας έγινε σε συνεργασία με τους συναδέλφους Ψαρά Βασίλειο και Μπιλιανό Σωτήριο. Αρχικά παρουσιάζεται το ενεργειακό πρόβλημα, το οποίο εκ φύσεως οδηγεί στην ανεύρεση νέων πηγών ενέργειας. Εν συνεχεία αναφέρονται τα πλεονεκτήματα και μειονεκτήματα των ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας καθώς και η παρούσα κατάσταση όσον αφορά τη χρησιμοποίησή τους. Εν συνεχεία παραθέτουμε τον ορισμό καθώς και τις συνήθεις συνιστώσες ενός μικροδικτύου, αναλύοντας θεωρητικά τις κυριότερες μονάδες παραγωγής, μετατροπής και αποθήκευσης ενέργειας. Επίσης, παραθέτουμε μια καταγραφή καθώς και μια ανάλυση όλων των εμπλεκομένων μονάδων του υπάρχοντος μικροδικτύου. Με σκοπό τη μελέτη της λειτουργίας του, την αξιολόγηση των δυνατοτήτων του και την εκτίμηση της παρούσας κατάστασής του, παρουσιάζονται μετρήσεις που πραγματοποιήθηκαν με διάφορα φορτία και εξάγονται κάποια σημαντικά συμπεράσματα. Στη συνέχεια, παραθέτουμε το προφίλ (κατανομή μέσα στην ημέρα) και το μέγεθος μιας τυπικής ηλεκτρικής ενεργειακής κατανάλωσης, μιας μονοκατοικίας. Έχοντας την τυπική οικιακή κατανάλωση ως δεδομένο, έγινε η επιλογή του τρόπου εξομοίωσής της σε εργαστηριακό περιβάλλον, χρησιμοποιώντας κατάλληλα παθητικά στοιχεία R-L. Τέλος, παρουσιάζουμε την ενεργειακή κατανάλωση του εξομοιωτή, για μια ολόκληρη εβδομάδα, όπως αυτή καταγράφηκε, κατά τη σύνδεσή του στο δημόσιο δίκτυο και εξάγουμε συμπεράσματα για τη λειτουργία του. / The current thesis deals with the study of the operation, as well as the construction of a typical microgrid. Furthermore, the thesis deals with the construction of a resistive-inductive load that emulates the energy consumption of a household. This thesis was conducted in the Laboratory of Electromechanical Energy Conversion, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering School of Engineering, University of Patras. The outer purpose of this study is the construction a resistive-inductive load that simulates the energy consumption of a household. The device uses a programmable logic controller (PLC) in order to implement the necessary automation. The main subject of this current thesis was the programming of the PLC and the emulation of the daily operation of electrical devices of a household. Once completed, it will be possible to connect this load emulator to a microgrid so as to optimize its performance and study its operational behavior. This whole thesis was fulfilled through continuous cooperation with colleagues Mpilianos Sotirios and Psaras Vasileios. Initially, the energy problem is presented, a fact that naturally leads to the finding of new energy sources. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy sources are discussed as well as the current state regarding their utilization. Afterwards, the definition and the common components of a microgrid are presented through theoretical analysis of all the related units (energy production, conversion and storage units). Moreover, every installed unit of an existing microgrid in the laboratory is mentioned and analyzed. Aiming to study its operation, evaluate its capabilities and estimate its present state, measurements with varying loads are cited. . The profile and size of a typical energy consumption of a household are presented. Given that, the final choice of the emulation method in laboratory environment was made, using appropriate passive elements (resistors, inductors). Finally, the energy consumption of the load emulator is presented, as it was recorded through the connection to the utility grid, and certain conclusions concerning its operation are made.

Διάφοροι τύποι αιολικών συστημάτων . Έμφαση σε αιολικά συστήματα με ανεμογεννήτριες μεταβλητής ταχύτητας και κυρίως στην επαγωγική μαχανή διπλής τροφοδοσίας . Περιγραφή του ηλεκτρονικού μετατροπέα που χρησιμοποιείται σε αυτού του είδους το σύστημα . Έλεγχος της ισχύος και προσομοίωση για δύο τύπους ελεγκτών , PI και RST . Σύγκριση των αποκρίσεων . Απόκριση PI ελεγκτή για διάφορα κέρδη . / Different types of wind energy systems . Wind energy systems with variable speed wind turbines are studied . The doubly fed induction generator . Description of the power electronic converter which is used . Power control for two regulator types , PI and RST . We compare the dynamic performances . Dynamic performance for different values of the PI regulator parameters .

A probabilistic framework is developed to assess the structural reliability of offshore wind turbines. Probabilistic models are developed to predict the deformation, shear force and bending moment demands on the support structure of wind turbines. The proposed probabilistic models are developed starting from a commonly accepted deterministic model and by adding correction terms and model errors to capture respectively, the inherent bias and the uncertainty in developed models. A Bayesian approach is then used to assess the model parameters incorporating the information from virtual experiment data. The database of virtual experiments is generated using detailed three-dimensional finite element analyses of a suite of typical offshore wind turbines. The finite element analyses properly account for the nonlinear soil-structure interaction. Separate probabilistic demand models are developed for three operational/load conditions including: (1) operating under day-to-day wind and wave loading; (2) operating throughout earthquake in presence of day-to-day loads; and (3) parked under extreme wind speeds and earthquake ground motions. The proposed approach gives special attention to the treatment of both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties in predicting the demands on the support structure of wind turbines. The developed demand models are then used to assess the reliability of the support structure of wind turbines based on the proposed damage states for typical wind turbines and their corresponding performance levels. A multi-hazard fragility surface of a given wind turbine support structure as well as the seismic and wind hazards at a specific site location are incorporated into a probabilistic framework to estimate the annual probability of failure of the support structure. Finally, a framework is proposed to investigate the performance of offshore wind turbines operating under day-to-day loads based on their availability for power production. To this end, probabilistic models are proposed to predict the mean and standard deviation of drift response of the tower. The results are used in a random vibration based framework to assess the fragility as the probability of exceeding certain drift thresholds given specific levels of wind speed.

This paper analyzes energy substitution rates on dairy farms in Nova Scotia (NS), Canada. A transcendental logarithmic cost function is used to find the elasticities of substitution which are utilized to determine the substitutability of total farm energy and to determine feasible renewable energy (RE) technologies. Wind turbines are found to be the only feasible RE technology for dairy farms within the region, at this time. A review of on-farm RE production and the associated feed-in tariff (FIT) policies in Germany, USA, Canada, Denmark and the Netherlands are examined. The NS FIT policy is used as a case study to assess the effect policies may have on wind turbine implementation by NS farms. Several scenarios are developed based on the existing policy structure to provide a critical review of the policy and to identify methods to provide an increase in the implementation of wind turbines on NS dairy farms.

As the wind energy sector expands into areas with colder climate, the problem with ice throw will increase. Due to a rotor diameter of more than 120 meters for a typical modern turbine with an effect of 3.3 MW, the separated ice fragment will get a high initial velocity, and therefore, they will also be thrown a long distance. Ice throw might therefore be a large safety risk for the people, who are staying in surrounding areas to wind turbines. A ballistic ice throw model has been developed to be able to investigate how far the ice fragments can be thrown from a wind turbine. The work was divided into two parts, one sensitivity analysis and one real case study. In the sensitivity analysis, the influence of eight important parameters was investigated. The results from this part show that changes in the parameters initial radius and angle position, and mass and shape of the ice fragments have a significant influence on the throwing distance both lateral and downwind. The wind speed has only a significant influence on the downwind throwing distance, but this is quite large. A maximum throwing distance of 239 meters downwind the wind turbine was achieved with U=20 m/s, r=55 m and θ=45°. While including the lift force, a maximum downwind distance of 350 meter was achieved. However, the uncertainties about the shape of the ice fragment make these results quite uncertain. In the real case study, ice throws were simulated by letting the ice throw model run with modeled meteorological data for a wind farm in northern Sweden. The wind farm consists of 60 wind turbines, and the probability for that an ice fragment will land in a square of 1*1m was calculated around each turbine. To be able to calculate this probability, a Monte Carlo analysis was necessary in which a large number of ice fragments were separated. The result shows a large correlation between the landing positions of the ice fragments and the wind direction. Due to the fact that the wind farm is located in a complex terrain, the shape and density of the probability field vary among different parts of the farm. Especially in the southern part of the wind farm, the probability field will have the highest density and largest extension to the northeast of the turbines due to a prevailing wind direction during ice throw events from southwest. / När vindkraftssektorn expanderar till områden med ett kallare klimat, kommer problemet med nedisade vindkraftverk och iskast att öka. Moderna vindkraftverk kan ha en typisk effekt på 3.3 MW och en rotordiameter på över 120 meter, vilket resulterar i att de ivägkastade isbitarna skulle kunna få en initialhastighet på 90 m/s. Det skulle även resultera i att isbitarna kastas iväg en lång sträcka från kraftverket, vilket i kombination med den höga initialhastigheten skulle kunna bli en stor säkerhetsrisk för de personer som vistas i områdena närmast runt vindkraftverken. En ballisisk iskastmodel utvecklades för att beräkna hur långt från vinkraftverket isbitarna kan kastas. Arbetet delades upp i två delar, en känslighetsanalys och en verklig fallstudie. I känslighetsanalysen undersöktes åtta viktiga parametrars inflytande på iskastet. Resultatet från den visar på att ändringar i parametrarna isbitens massa och form samt seperations positionen på bladet och bladets vinkel hade störst inverkan på kastlängden. En maximal kastlängd nedströms vindkraftverket på 239 meter erhölls för U=20m/s, θ=45° och r=55m. När lyftkraften inkluderades ökade kastlängden nedströms till 350 meter, dock är osäkerheten i isbitarnas form stor, vilket gör dessa resultat osäkra. I den verkliga fallstudien simulerades iskast genom att iskastmodellen kördes med modellerad meteorologisk data från en vindkraftspark i norra Svergie. Vinkraftsparken innehöll 60 turbiner och sannolikheten för att en isbit ska landa i en ruta på 1*1m beräknades runt varje turbin. För att kunna beräkna sannolikheten användes en Monte Carlo analys där ett stort antal isbitar skickades iväg. Resultatet visade på att korrelationen var stor mellan sannolikheten för att en isbit ska landa i en ruta på 1 m² och vindriktningen. Eftersom vindkraftsparken var belägen i ett område med en komplex terräng varierade formen och intensiteten på sannolikhetsområdena mellan olika delar av parken. Speciellt i parkens södra del är sannolikhetsområdet för vindkraftsverken mer utbrett i nordostlig riktning på grund av att sydvästliga vindar är vanligast då iskast förekommer.

Background: Wind turbines are a form of renewable energy, which generate electricity from wind energy, a practice dating back over 100 years. More recently, large-scale wind energy developments have started to employ one or several industrial wind turbines, which produce the majority of wind energy in Ontario. The production of electricity from the movement of industrial wind turbine motor blades creates both mechanical and aerodynamic noise. This type of environmental noise is a growing public health concern, especially for residents living close to industrial wind turbines. A body of evidence now exists to suggest that industrial wind turbine noise can impair health and contribute to annoyance and sleep disturbance. However, in Ontario, little is known about how industrial wind turbines impact people living in their vicinity. Objectives: This investigation was a cross-sectional study involving eight Ontario communities that contain greater than ten industrial wind turbines. The objectives of this study were to explore the association between proximity to industrial wind turbines and self-reported health effects, specifically quality of life (both physical and mental health) and sleep disturbance, in residents living close to wind turbines. Dose-response relationships were also explored in an attempt to investigate acceptable exposure levels and appropriate setback distances for industrial wind turbines. Methods: Eight wind farms in Ontario were selected for analysis. For this cross-sectional study, the ???Quality of Life and Renewable Energy Technologies Study??? survey was used to measure the impact of industrial wind turbines on health. Using Canada Post???s Unaddressed Admail Service, surveys were sent to 4,876 residences near industrial wind turbines in these eight communities. Survey responses were sent back to the University of Waterloo and data from the surveys were used for analysis. Descriptive analyses were performed and multiple regression models were run to investigate the effect of the main independent variable of interest (distance to nearest industrial wind turbine) on the various outcome variables. Descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations were performed on a number of dependent and independent variables including age, sex, time in home, number of industrial wind turbines within 2,000 meters and sleep and health outcomes. Results: In total, 412 surveys were returned (8.45% response rate); 16 of these survey respondents did not provide their home address. Therefore, 396 surveys were included in the analysis. The mean self-reported distances of survey respondents to wind farms was 2,782 meters +-3,950 meters (range: 0.40-55,000 meters). The mean calculated distance from residence to the closest industrial wind turbine was 4,523 meters +-4,420 meters (range: 316-22,661 meters). The difference between the calculated and perceived distance measurements was statistically significant (P<0.001) with survey respondents reporting that they live, on average, 1,741 meters closer to wind farms than they actually do. The relationship between Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and ln(distance) was found to be statistically significant (P=0.01) when controlling for age, gender and county, meaning that as distance increased (move further away from an industrial wind turbine), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index decreased (i.e. sleep improved) in a logarithmic relationship. Among the eight Wind Turbine Syndrome index variables, the relationship between vertigo and ln(distance) was statistically significant (P<0.001) when controlling for age, gender, and county. Additionally, the relationship between tinnitus and ln(distance) approached statistical significance (P=0.08) when controlling for age, gender and county. Both vertigo and tinnitus were worse among participants living closer to industrial wind turbines. Conclusion: Study findings suggest that industrial wind turbines could have an impact on health. Using a sample of rural Ontario residents (although not necessarily representative of the target population), this study explored the quality of life (both physical and mental health) and sleep disturbance of residents living in the vicinity of industrial wind turbines. However, because of study limitations, there are many questions still to be answered before firm conclusions can be drawn. Based on the findings of this study it is recommended that further studies be carried out to examine the effects of low-level stressors, such as industrial wind turbine noise, on health. Specifically, study findings suggest that future research should focus on the effects of industrial wind turbine noise on sleep disturbance and symptoms of inner ear problems. Although the study findings could suggest that there is a possible association between various health outcomes and how far someone lives from an industrial wind turbine, it is important to remember that there are limitations to these conclusions.