Wind Turbine in Hurricane Conditions

Methodology

Problem: Avoiding failure of the braking mechanisms in wind turbine in hurricane conditions

1. Objectives

The study aims to analyse the structural effects and operational characteristics of wind turbines during hurricane conditions, where wind speeds could range between 50-58 m/s for a category 3 hurricane [1]. A detailed study of wind turbine operation at high velocity will be carried out from available literature, more specifically, the braking systems being employed in the nacelle of the wind turbine and the related susceptibility to fire and mechanical failures. Data available from knowledge repositories such as QUT library, IEEE Xplore will be used to obtain qualitative data such as pyrolysis tests, mechanical gearbox specifications and failure modes. The following are specific goals to help guide us to a conclusion:

1. Current practices in wind turbine braking

2. Accumulate data for available braking technologies viable for offshore operations4

3. Establish the durability of the wind-speed and position sensors on the wind turbine during abnormally high wind speeds, and methods of tackling problems such as icing or data resolution.

4. Establish effects of high wind speeds on the pitch and yaw control

5. Compare motorized pitch control of the blades with hydraulic pitch control for high wind speeds

6. The need for cooling systems during high speed operation

7. Contribution of the gear box in braking/slowing down the rotations per minute

8. Viability of Bladed software in simulating operational characteristics.

9. Lubrication needs for high rpm operation

2. Data Needs

1. Costs associated with periodic wind farm maintenance

2. Identify failure modes of each assembly

3. Normal operating conditions for pitch and yaw...

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...at could increase power throughput capacity up to 40%[5].

5. Reference List

[1] P. J. Vickery, P. Skerlj, A. Steckley, and L. Twisdale, "Hurricane wind field model for use in hurricane simulations," Journal of Structural Engineering, vol. 126, pp. 1203-1221, 2000.

[2] F. D. Mahmood Shafiee, "An FMEA-Based Risk Assessment Approach for Wind TurbineSystems: A Comparative Study of Onshore and Offshore " Energies, vol. 7, pp. 619-642, 2014.

[3] DNV-GL, "Bladed," 1.5 ed: Garrad Hassan & Partners, 2013.

[4] A. Bar-Cohen, G. Sherwood, M. Hodes, and G. Solbreken, "Gas-assisted evaporative cooling of high density electronic modules," Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology, Part A, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 18, pp. 502-509, 1995.

[5] P. Hannifin, "Cooling High Performance Wind Turbine Systems With Two-Phase Evaporative Cooling," P. P. C. Systems, Ed., ed, 2011.