Evaluation of Techniques for Computer Modeling and Real Time Control of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Blade,
Abstract
Wind power generating turbines operate under constant as well as rapidly changing conditions. With fixed pitch blades, many wind turbines are allowed to operate regardless of wind conditions as long as they are able to produce more electricity than it takes to get them started. However, the lifecycle of the turbine blades is often much shorter than expected because of the unsteady aerodynamic environment under which they rotate. Therefore, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has implemented a testing program to determine the aerodynamic conditions, and the frequency with which they occur, which cause the largest amount of fatigue on their variable pitch, three bladed downwind horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT). Different techniques will be examined for analytically modeling the flow conditions with separation over a rotating turbine blade. Then, some different techniques for implementing a feedback control loop will be investigated to optimize the movement of the variable pitch blades on the NREL HAWT. The different methods analyzed will fall in the two-dimensional, incompressible area with most also being for steady state conditions. The final objective is to provide the reader with a background in dealing with the aerodynamic conditions surrounding a rotating wind turbine in an unsteady aerodynamic environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA295130
Entities
People
- Alan Wesenberg
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology