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- Category: Articles
Correcting Yaw Errors and Measuring the Improved Power Curves
It is an all too common sight: turbines in a wind farm pointing in different directions. This means, of course, that some of the turbines will be operating with a significant yaw misalignment. This in turn causes loss of energy production and higher fatigue loads. The obvious explanation is that the flow pattern where the vane for yaw control is positioned (usually at the back of the nacelle) has been disturbed by the upstream rotor and by the proximity of the nacelle. Other reasons may be that the instruments are not aligned properly, or may simply be of quite poor quality. There are, at present, only two technologies capable of measuring the yaw misalignment correctly – a nacelle-mounted lidar and the Spinner Anemometer. In this article we demonstrate that the Spinner Anemometer has some very obvious advantages related to cost, data quality and robustness. We will be reporting on our experience of testing the instrument for measurements of yaw misalignment and power curve improvements.
By Jørgen Højstrup, Jesper Degn Nielsen and Jens Lund Lauritsen, ROMO Wind, Denmark
It is an all too common sight: turbines in a wind farm pointing in different directions. This means, of course, that some of the turbines will be operating with a significant yaw misalignment. This in turn causes loss of energy production and higher fatigue loads. The obvious explanation is that the flow pattern where the vane for yaw control is positioned (usually at the back of the nacelle) has been disturbed by the upstream rotor and by the proximity of the nacelle. Other reasons may be that the instruments are not aligned properly, or may simply be of quite poor quality. There are, at present, only two technologies capable of measuring the yaw misalignment correctly – a nacelle-mounted lidar and the Spinner Anemometer. In this article we demonstrate that the Spinner Anemometer has some very obvious advantages related to cost, data quality and robustness. We will be reporting on our experience of testing the instrument for measurements of yaw misalignment and power curve improvements.By Jørgen Højstrup, Jesper Degn Nielsen and Jens Lund Lauritsen, ROMO Wind, Denmark
- Category: Articles
An Undervalued Source of Wind Energy?
Small and medium-scale wind turbines do not get as much attention as larger, utility-scale wind turbines. Recently the focus seems to have been on bigger and bigger turbines. But utility-scale wind is not an ideal solution everywhere, especially in less developed regions of the world without sufficient grid infrastructure into which to feed the power. In this article Frits Ogg gives his view on small and medium-scale wind, based on his visit to HUSUM WindEnergy.
By Frits Ogg, renewable energy consultant, The Netherlands
Small and medium-scale wind turbines do not get as much attention as larger, utility-scale wind turbines. Recently the focus seems to have been on bigger and bigger turbines. But utility-scale wind is not an ideal solution everywhere, especially in less developed regions of the world without sufficient grid infrastructure into which to feed the power. In this article Frits Ogg gives his view on small and medium-scale wind, based on his visit to HUSUM WindEnergy.By Frits Ogg, renewable energy consultant, The Netherlands
- Category: Articles
Needed: A Formula for More Realistic Utilisation of Naturally Recurring Resources
Although Windtech International mainly focuses on the technology of the wind industry, we are aware that it is important sometimes to step back from the development of new equipment to look at the picture more generally. For example, where should we concentrate research and innovation efforts and how does this tie in with considerations about use of different types of energy and whether or not they are subsidised? In this article, Gene Kelley, of W2 Energy Development Corp, argues that maybe we need to re-examine how we look at the availability and costs of energy resources. He concludes that we should prioritise our investments in time and capital on the projected longevity of a resource and how efficiently it can be harvested and used, while at the same time identifying and eliminating the use of derivative energy wherever possible.
By Gene R. Kelley, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, W2 Energy Development Corporation, USA
Although Windtech International mainly focuses on the technology of the wind industry, we are aware that it is important sometimes to step back from the development of new equipment to look at the picture more generally. For example, where should we concentrate research and innovation efforts and how does this tie in with considerations about use of different types of energy and whether or not they are subsidised? In this article, Gene Kelley, of W2 Energy Development Corp, argues that maybe we need to re-examine how we look at the availability and costs of energy resources. He concludes that we should prioritise our investments in time and capital on the projected longevity of a resource and how efficiently it can be harvested and used, while at the same time identifying and eliminating the use of derivative energy wherever possible.By Gene R. Kelley, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, W2 Energy Development Corporation, USA
- Category: Articles
A Zero-Blade Non-Rotational Wind Converter
A new bladeless wind technology has been developped to harness the wind differently and more efficiently. The Saphonian has no blades, does not rotate, and its design is largely inspired from sailboats. It is a serious attempt to provide a clean, cheap and storable source of energy.
By Anis Aouini and Hassine Labaied, Co-founders of Saphon Energy, Tunisia
A new bladeless wind technology has been developped to harness the wind differently and more efficiently. The Saphonian has no blades, does not rotate, and its design is largely inspired from sailboats. It is a serious attempt to provide a clean, cheap and storable source of energy.By Anis Aouini and Hassine Labaied, Co-founders of Saphon Energy, Tunisia
- Category: Articles
A Solution for Radar Interference
In the past year, the pages of Windtech International have been filled with excellent strategies to counter NIMBYism and the vested interests that sometimes lie behind such views. However, NIMBYism is by no means the only obstacle to wind farm development across the globe. Despite the tough targets for renewable energy production set by governments, huge numbers of wind farm proposals lie gathering dust in planning offices due to the concerns of airport air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and defence ministries.
By David Crisp, CEO, Aveillant, UK
In the past year, the pages of Windtech International have been filled with excellent strategies to counter NIMBYism and the vested interests that sometimes lie behind such views. However, NIMBYism is by no means the only obstacle to wind farm development across the globe. Despite the tough targets for renewable energy production set by governments, huge numbers of wind farm proposals lie gathering dust in planning offices due to the concerns of airport air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and defence ministries.By David Crisp, CEO, Aveillant, UK
- Category: Articles
A New Offshore Wind Atlas
In 2008 an EC FP7 funded project, NORSEWInD, was launched with the aim of addressing the lack of data available for offshore wind development. The project's aim was to provide a new offshore wind atlas for the Irish, North and Baltic Seas. This article follows on from an earlier article, published in the October issue 2008 of Windtech International, introducing the NORSEWInD project.
By Andy Oldroyd, Technical Director and Co-founder, Oldbaum Services, UK
In 2008 an EC FP7 funded project, NORSEWInD, was launched with the aim of addressing the lack of data available for offshore wind development. The project's aim was to provide a new offshore wind atlas for the Irish, North and Baltic Seas. This article follows on from an earlier article, published in the October issue 2008 of Windtech International, introducing the NORSEWInD project.By Andy Oldroyd, Technical Director and Co-founder, Oldbaum Services, UK
- Category: Articles
Lowering the Cost of Wind Power to Better Compete
As renewable sources such as wind and solar compete as serious contenders in generating more energy for the world, the energy produced must be as cheap, if not cheaper, than that of fossil-based sources. In addition, the quality of energy produced must be equally as high. The formula for lowering the cost of energy from any source is ultimately very simple: lower overall capital investment costs, equipment lifetime operation and maintenance (O&M) costs and fuel costs, while boosting the amount of energy generated. This formula becomes even more attractive with wind and solar – as the cost of fuel is already free. In the end, it all comes down to five main drivers that have a major effect on lowering the cost of energy with renewable sources.
By Jussi Vanhanen, Director, Sales and Marketing, The Switch, Finland
As renewable sources such as wind and solar compete as serious contenders in generating more energy for the world, the energy produced must be as cheap, if not cheaper, than that of fossil-based sources. In addition, the quality of energy produced must be equally as high. The formula for lowering the cost of energy from any source is ultimately very simple: lower overall capital investment costs, equipment lifetime operation and maintenance (O&M) costs and fuel costs, while boosting the amount of energy generated. This formula becomes even more attractive with wind and solar – as the cost of fuel is already free. In the end, it all comes down to five main drivers that have a major effect on lowering the cost of energy with renewable sources.By Jussi Vanhanen, Director, Sales and Marketing, The Switch, Finland
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