Simulation by discrete mass modeling of offshore wind turbine system with DC link

This paper presents an integrated model for an offshore wind turbine taking into consideration a contribution for the marine wave and wind speed with perturbations influences on the power quality of current injected into the electric grid. The paper deals with the simulation of one floating offshore wind turbine equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous generator, and a two-level converter connected to an onshore electric grid. The use of discrete mass modeling is accessed in order to reveal by computing the total harmonic distortion on how the perturbations of the captured energy are attenuated at the electric grid injection point. Two torque actions are considered for the three-mass modeling, the aerodynamic on the flexible part and on the rigid part of the blades. Also, a torque due to the influence of marine waves in deep water is considered. Proportional integral fractional-order control supports the control strategy. A comparison between the drive train models is presented.

Offshore Wind Energy System with DC Transmission Discrete Mass: Modeling and Simulation

This paper presents an integrated model for an offshore wind energy system taking into consideration a contribution for the marine wave and wind speed with perturbations influences on the power quality of current injected into the electric grid. The paper deals with the simulation of one floating offshore wind turbine equipped with a PMSG and a two-level converter connected to an onshore electric grid. The use of discrete mass modeling is accessed in order to reveal by computing the THD on how the perturbations of the captured energy are attenuated at the electric grid injection point. Two torque actions are considered for the three-mass modeling, the aerodynamic on the flexible part and on the rigid part of the blades. Also, a torque due to the influence of marine waves in deep water is considered. PI fractional-order control supports the control strategy. A comparison between the drive train models is presented.

Offshore wind turbine simulation: multibody drive train. Bacl-to-back NPC (Neutral Point Clamped) converters: Fractional-order control

This paper is on offshore wind energy conversion systems installed on the deep water and equipped with back-to-back neutral point clamped full-power converter, permanent magnet synchronous generator with an AC link. The model for the drive train is a five-mass model which incorporates the dynamic of the structure and the tower in order to emulate the effect of the moving surface. A three-level converter and a four-level converter are the two options with a fractional-order control strategy considered to equip the conversion system. Simulation studies are carried out to assess the quality of the energy injected into the electric grid. Finally, conclusions are presented. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of soil stiffness on the dynamic response of an offshore wind turbine

La industria de la energía eólica marina ha crecido de forma significativa durante los últimos 15 años, y se espera que siga creciendo durante los siguientes. La construcción de torres en aguas cada vez más profundas y el aumento en potencia y tamaño de las turbinas han creado la necesidad de diseñar estructuras de soporte cada vez más fiables y optimizadas, lo que requiere un profundo conocimiento de su comportamiento. Este trabajo se centra en la respuesta dinámica de una turbina marina con cimentación tipo monopilote y sobre la que actúa la fuerza del viento. Se han realizado cálculos con distintas propiedades del suelo para cubrir un rango de rigideces que va desde una arena muy suelta a una muy densa. De este modo se ha analizado la influencia que tiene la rigidez del suelo en el comportamiento de la estructura. Se han llevado a cabo análisis estáticos y dinámicos en un modelo de elementos finitos implementado en Abaqus. El desplazamiento en la cabeza de la torre y la tensión en su base se han obtenido en función de la rigidez del suelo, y con ellos se ha calculado la amplificación dinámica producida cuando la frecuencia natural del sistema suelo‐cimentación torre se aproxima a la frecuencia de la carga. Dos diferentes enfoques a la hora de modelizar el suelo se han comparado: uno utilizando elementos continuos y otro utilizando muelles elásticos no lineales. Por último, un análisis de fiabilidad se ha llevado a cabo con un modelo analítico para calcular la probabilidad de resonancia del sistema, en el que se han considerado las propiedades de rigidez del suelo como variables aleatorias. Offshore wind energy industry has experienced a significant growth over the past 15 years, and it is expected to continue its growth in the coming years. The expansion to increasingly deep waters and the rise in power and size of the turbines have led to a need for more reliable and optimized support designs, which requires an extensive knowledge of the behaviour of these structures. This work focuses on the dynamic response of an offshore wind turbine founded on a monopile and subjected to wind loading. Different soil properties have been considered in order to cover the range of stiffness from a very loose to a very dense sand. In this way, the influence of stiffness on the structure behaviour has been assessed. Static and dynamic analyses have been carried out by means of a finite element model implemented in Abaqus. Head displacement and stress at the tower base have been obtained as functions of soil stiffness, and they have been used to calculate the dynamic amplification that is produced when the natural frequency of the system soil‐foundation‐tower approaches the load frequency. Two different approaches of soil modelling have been compared: soil modelled as a continuum and soil simulated with non linear elastic springs. Finally, a reliability analysis to assess the probability of resonance has been performed with an analytical model, in which soil stiffness properties are considered as stochastic variables.

Effect of Geometric Uncertainties on the Aerodynamic Characteristic of Offshore Wind Turbine Blades

Offshore wind turbines operate in a complex unsteady flow environment which causes unsteady aerodynamic loads. The unsteady flow environment is characterized by a high degree of uncertainty. In addition, geometry variations and material imperfections also cause uncertainties in the design process. Probabilistic design methods consider these uncertainties in order to reach acceptable reliability and safety levels for offshore wind turbines. Variations of the rotor blade geometry influence the aerodynamic loads which also affect the reliability of other wind turbine components. Therefore, the present paper is dealing with geometric uncertainties of the rotor blades. These can arise from manufacturing tolerances and operational wear of the blades. First, the effect of geometry variations of wind turbine airfoils on the lift and drag coefficients are investigated using a Latin hypercube sampling. Then, the resulting effects on the performance and the blade loads of an offshore wind turbine are analyzed. The variations of the airfoil geometry lead to a significant scatter of the lift and drag coefficients which also affects the damage-equivalent flapwise bending moments. In contrast to that, the effects on the power and the annual energy production are almost negligible with regard to the assumptions made.

Global Fatigue Assessment of a Decommissioned Jacket Platform for a Sustainable Reuse as an Offshore Wind Turbine

When the offshore oil and gas supplies exhaust, offshore platforms must be decommissioned and removed. The present thesis highlights the importance of evaluating the possibility of reuse of decommissioned offshore jacket platforms for offshore wind energy. In order to shift to the new structure, the topside must be removed from the substructure and a wind turbine can be installed in its place. The feasibility of this project was investigated using a finite element analysis software called Sesam. To study fatigue life in offshore structures, an exhaustive review of the background and state of the art was done. A finite element model was created by the means of Sesam and two different fatigue analysis approaches were applied and compared. In the end, an analysis methodology is suggested for the structural fatigue analysis of offshore wind turbine structures based on international standards, addressing the industry’s need to account for the combined effect of wind and hydrodynamic loads in these type of structures.

Simulation of offshore wind system with three-level converters: HVDC power transmission in cloud scope

This paper is on a simulation for offshore wind systems in deep water under cloud scope. The system is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous generator and a full-power three-level converter, converting the electric energy at variable frequency in one at constant frequency. The control strategies for the three-level are based on proportional integral controllers. The electric energy is injected through a HVDC transmission submarine cable into the grid. The drive train is modeled by a three-mass model taking into account the resistant stiffness torque, structure and tower in the deep water due to the moving surface elevation. Conclusions are taken on the influence of the moving surface on the energy conversion. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2015.

Simulation of a rectifier malfunction on a offshore wind system with HVDC transmission

A new integrated mathematical model for the simulation of an offshore wind system having a rectifier input voltage malfunction at one phase is presented in this paper. The mathematical model considers an offshore variable-speed wind turbine on a floating platform, equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous generator using full-power three-level converter to inject energy into the electric network, through a high voltage direct current transmission submarine cable. The model for the drive train is a discrete three mass, incorporating the dynamic of the moving surface. A case study is presented to access conclusion about the malfunction.

Influence of advanced load simulation models on fatigue design of jackets for offshore wind turbines.

Constant developments in the field of offshore wind energy have increased the range of water depths at which wind farms are planned to be installed. Therefore, in addition to monopile support structures suitable in shallow waters (up to 30 m), different types of support structures, able to withstand severe sea conditions at the greater water depths, have been developed. For water depths above 30 m, the jacket is one of the preferred support types. Jacket represents a lightweight support structure, which, in combination with complex nature of environmental loads, is prone to highly dynamic behavior. As a consequence, high stresses with great variability in time can be observed in all structural members. The highest concentration of stresses occurs in joints due to their nature (structural discontinuities) and due to the existence of notches along the welds present in the joints. This makes them the weakest elements of the jacket in terms of fatigue. In the numerical modeling of jackets for offshore wind turbines, a reduction of local stresses at the chord-brace joints, and consequently an optimization of the model, can be achieved by implementing joint flexibility in the chord-brace joints. Therefore, in this work, the influence of joint flexibility on the fatigue damage in chord-brace joints of a numerical jacket model, subjected to advanced load simulations, is studied.

Uncertainties in the design of support structures and foundations for offshore wind turbines

Offshore wind industry has exponentially grown in the last years. Despite this growth, there are still many uncertainties in this field. This paper analyzes some current uncertainties in the offshore wind market, with the aim of going one step further in the development of this sector. To do this, some already identified uncertainties compromising offshore wind farm structural design have been identified and described in the paper. Examples of these identified uncertainties are the design of the transition piece and the difficulties for the soil properties characterization. Furthermore, this paper deals with other uncertainties not identified yet due to the limited experience in the sector. To do that, current and most used offshore wind standards and recommendations related to the design of foundation and support structures (IEC 61400-1, 2005; IEC 61400-3, 2009; DNV-OS-J101, Design of Offshore Wind Turbine, 2013 and Rules and Guidelines Germanischer Lloyd, WindEnergie, 2005) have been analyzed. These new identified uncertainties are related to the lifetime and return period, loads combination, scour phenomenon and its protection, Morison e Froude Krilov and diffraction regimes, wave theory, different scale and liquefaction. In fact, there are a lot of improvements to make in this field. Some of them are mentioned in this paper, but the future experience in the matter will make it possible to detect more issues to be solved and improved.

Simulation of offshore wind system with two-level converters: HVDC power transmission

A new integrated mathematical model for the simulation of offshore wind energy conversion system performance is presented in this paper. The mathematical model considers an offshore variable-speed turbine in deep water equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous generator using full-power two-level converter, converting the energy of a variable frequency source in injected energy into the electric network with constant frequency, through a high voltage DC transmission submarine cable. The mathematical model for the drive train is a concentrate two mass model which incorporates the dynamic for the structure and tower due to the need to emulate the effects of the moving surface. Controller strategy considered is a proportional integral one. Also, pulse width modulation using space vector modulation supplemented with sliding mode is used for trigger the transistor of the converter. Finally, a case study is presented to access the system performance. © 2014 IEEE.

Simulation of offshore wind system with two levels converters: HVDC power transmission

A new integrated mathematical model for the simulation of offshore wind energy conversion system performance is presented in this paper. The mathematical model considers an offshore variable-speed turbine in deep water equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous generator using full-power two-level converter, converting the energy of a variable frequency source in injected energy into the electric network with constant frequency, through a high voltage DC transmission submarine cable. The mathematical model for the drive train is a concentrate two mass model which incorporates the dynamic for the structure and tower due to the need to emulate the effects of the moving surface. Controller strategy considered is a proportional integral one. Also, pulse width modulation using space vector modulation supplemented with sliding mode is used for trigger the transistor of the converter. Finally, a case study is presented to access the system performance. © 2014 IEEE.

Offshore Wind Energy Conversion System Connected to the Electric Grid: Modeling and Simulation

This paper is on modeling and simulation for an offshore wind system equipped with a semi-submersible floating platform, a wind turbine, a permanent magnet synchronous generator, a multiple point clamped four level or five level full-power converter, a submarine cable and a second order filter. The drive train is modeled by three mass model considering the resistant stiffness torque, structure and tower in deep water due to the moving surface elevation. The system control uses PWM by space vector modulation associated with sliding mode and proportional integral controllers. The electric energy is injected into the electric grid either by an alternated current link or by a direct current link. The model is intend to be a useful tool for unveil the behavior and performance of the offshore wind system, especially for the multiple point clamped full-power converter, under normal operation or under malfunctions.

HVDC Power Transmission Simulation for Offshore Wind System with Three-Level Converter

An integrated mathematical model for the simulation of an offshore wind system performance is presented in this paper. The mathematical model considers an offshore variable-speed turbine in deep water equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous generator using multiple point full-power clamped three-level converter, converting the energy of a variable frequency source in injected energy into the electric network with constant frequency, through a HVDC transmission submarine cable. The mathematical model for the drive train is a concentrate two mass model which incorporates the dynamic for the blades of the wind turbine, tower and generator due to the need to emulate the effects of the wind and the floating motion. Controller strategy considered is a proportional integral one. Also, pulse width modulation using space vector modulation supplemented with sliding mode is used for trigger the transistors of the converter. Finally, a case study is presented to access the system performance.

Simulation model of wind turbine gearbox and lubrication system

As increasing efficiency of a wind turbine gearbox, more power can be transferred from rotor blades to generator and less power is used to cause wear and heating in the gearbox. By using a simulation model, behavior of the gearbox can be studied before creating expensive prototypes. The objective of the thesis is to model a wind turbine gearbox and its lubrication system to study power losses and heat transfer inside the gearbox and to study the simulation methods of the used software. Software used to create the simulation model is Siemens LMS Imagine.Lab AMESim, which can be used to create one-dimensional mechatronic system simulation models from different fields of engineering. When combining components from different libraries it is possible to create a simulation model, which includes mechanical, thermal and hydraulic models of the gearbox. Results for mechanical, thermal, and hydraulic simulations are presented in the thesis. Due to the large scale of the wind turbine gearbox and the amount of power transmitted, power loss calculations from AMESim software are inaccurate and power losses are modelled as constant efficiency for each gear mesh. Starting values for simulation in thermal and hydraulic simulations were chosen from test measurements and from empirical study as compact and complex design of gearbox prevents accurate test measurements. In further studies to increase the accuracy of the simulation model, components used for power loss calculations needs to be modified and values for unknown variables are needed to be solved through accurate test measurements.