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- Category: Articles
Soil Investigations for Offshore Wind Turbine Projects
On several occasions, the soil conditions have proved to be a key area for offshore wind farm projects; often this can result in disputes between the various parties involved over responsibilities. Despite the soil investigation being the owner’s responsibility, this responsibility is often delegated to a subcontractor. The importance of a thorough and well-performed soil investigation cannot be understated for the design of offshore support structures. A good and well-documented design basis that includes adequate geotechnical information will facilitate ‘fast-track’ project development and a project of high quality with only minor variation orders to the contract; on the other hand, a poorly carried out soil investigation can open up the project to delays and major variation orders, or a conservative and costly design. By Tove Feld, DNV Global Wind Energy, Denmark
- Category: Articles
A Program for Wind Turbine Design
Motivated by the growing installation of wind energy systems all over the world and with the perspective of wind energy utilisation in Brazil, the authors present a simplified model to evaluate the optimum aerodynamic configuration for the rotor blades of a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT). The model is based on the conservation equations and the Panel Method, and a limited set of geometric parameters that strongly affect the rotor aerodynamics are calculated. By Daniel Fonseca de Carvalho e Silva, Luiz Henrique Gomes Pereira and Gustavo C.R. Bodstein, Brazil
- Category: Articles
The New Aeroelastic Code HAWC2
The article describes work to investigate the effects on tower dynamics when mounting a turbine on a monopile foundation offshore compared to a similar onshore installation. Changes in frequency, mode shapes and damping were investigated, including effects of hydrodynamics and non-linear soil properties. The tool used for the investigation is the new aeroelastic code HAWC2, which is based on a multibody formulation. This formulation is very general, which means that it can handle any structural object (body) as well as large rotations between the bodies and their associated non-linear effects. Thus, for example, complex foundation types such as very flexible monopile foundations, tripod structures and even floating support structures can be simulated in the code.
By Torben J. Larsen, Helge A. Madsen and Kenneth Thomsen, Risø, National Laboratory Denmark
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- Category: Articles
The Beamforming Technique in Acoustic Imaging
Thanks to the evolution of both computer and electronic science it is now possible (and easy) to use the acoustic imagery technique to investigate the noise behaviour of a wind turbine under operation. This article introduces the beamforming technique used in acoustic imagery for noise problem troubleshooting. It describes the parameters that are used to produce accurate acoustic images to locate the noise source of interest. Non-stationary noise sources, fast transient events and also mobile noise sources are all easily located with the technique.By Vincent Benoit, ACB Engineering, France
- Category: Articles
A Wind Turbine Station Designed to Capture Vertical ‘Winds’
The atmospheric vortex engine is a new concept for a renewable energy generation process that is capable of generating electricity from solar radiation and the atmosphere. The process has strong similarities to other existing renewable energy generation technologies (the solar chimney and wind turbines). The concept involves creation of a controlled vortex, allowing the energy from the atmosphere to be converted into mechanical work, which can be captured by turbines and converted into electricity. Additional development is required before constructing a full-scale vortex power plant, but the process has the potential to generate large amounts of renewable energy.By Eric Michaud and Louis Michaud, Vortex Engine, Canada
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- Category: Articles
Roxtec and Multibrid Work Together to Provide Solutions
The introduction of the Multibrid M5000 solution has meant a significant step in the development of new wind energy converter systems for the future. Now, going from prototypes to series production, Multibrid in Germany sees further possibilities. The company recognises that cooperation with good suppliers can add further benefits.By Ulf Petersson, Roxtec International, Sweden
- Category: Articles
Challenges and Opportunities
The evolution of wind farms from land-based to offshore locations is gradual but surely significant. Stronger winds, better technologies and less impact on real estate value make offshore wind farming the ‘sexiest’ side of this industry in its attempts to meet the high electricity demands of heavily populated coastal areas.
By Joe Meilak, Innovaxin Consulting, Malta
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The evolution of wind farms from land-based to offshore locations is gradual but surely significant. Stronger winds, better technologies and less impact on real estate value make offshore wind farming the ‘sexiest’ side of this industry in its attempts to meet the high electricity demands of heavily populated coastal areas.By Joe Meilak, Innovaxin Consulting, Malta
