Understanding Wind Power Technology: Theory, Deployment and Optimisation

Book description

Wind energy technology has progressed enormously over the last decade. In coming years it will continue to develop in terms of power ratings, performance and installed capacity of large wind turbines worldwide, with exciting developments in offshore installations.

Designed to meet the training needs of wind engineers, this introductory text puts wind energy in context, from the natural resource to the assessment of cost effectiveness and bridges the gap between theory and practice. The thorough coverage spans the scientific basics, practical implementations and the modern state of technology used in onshore and offshore wind farms for electricity generation.

Key features:

  • provides in-depth treatment of all systems associated with wind energy, including the aerodynamic and structural aspects of blade design, the flow of energy and loads through the wind turbine, the electrical components and power electronics including control systems

  • explains the importance of wind resource assessment techniques, site evaluation and ecology with a focus of project planning and operation

  • describes the integration of wind farms into the electric grid and includes a whole chapter dedicated to offshore wind farms

  • includes questions in each chapter for readers to test their knowledge

  • Written by experts with deep experience in research, teaching and industry, this text conveys the importance of wind energy in the international energy-policy debate, and offers clear insight into the subject for postgraduates and final year undergraduate students studying all aspects of wind engineering. Understanding Wind Power Systems is also an authoritative resource for engineers designing and developing wind energy systems, energy policy makers, environmentalists, and economists in the renewable energy sector.

    Table of contents

    1. Cover
    2. Title page
    3. Copyright page
    4. Preface
    5. About the Authors
    6. 1 The History of Wind Energy
      1. 1.1 Introduction
      2. 1.2 The First Windmills: 600–1890
      3. 1.3 Generation of Electricity using Wind Farms: Wind Turbines 1890–1930
      4. 1.4 The First Phase of Innovation: 1930–1960
      5. 1.5 The Second Phase of Innovation and Mass Production: 1960 to Today
      6. References
    7. 2 The International Development of Wind Energy
      1. 2.1 The Modern Energy Debate
      2. 2.2 The Reinvention of the Energy Market
      3. 2.3 The Importance of the Power Grid
      4. 2.4 The New Value-added Chain
      5. 2.5 International Perspectives
      6. 2.6 Expansion into Selected Countries
      7. 2.7 The Role of the EU
      8. 2.8 International Institutions and Organisations
      9. 2.9 Global Wind Energy Outlook 2012 – The Global View into the Future
      10. 2.10 Conclusion
      11. References
    8. 3 Wind Resources, Site Assessment and Ecology
      1. 3.1 Introduction
      2. 3.2 Wind Resources
      3. 3.3 Acoustics
      4. 3.4 Shadow
      5. 3.5 Turbulence
      6. 3.6 Two Comprehensive Software Tools for Planning Wind Farms
      7. 3.7 Technical Guidelines, FGW Guidelines and IEC Standards
      8. 3.8 Environmental Influences Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz (Federal Imission Control Act) and Approval Process
      9. 3.9 Example Problems
      10. 3.10 Solutions to the Problems
      11. References
    9. 4 Aerodynamics and Blade Design
      1. 4.1 Summary
      2. 4.2 Horizontal Plants
      3. 4.3 Integral Momentum Theory
      4. 4.4 Momentum Theory of the Blade Elements
      5. 4.5 Vertical Plants
      6. 4.6 Wind-Driven Vehicles with a Rotor
      7. 4.7 Exercises
      8. References
    10. 5 Rotor Blades
      1. 5.1 Introduction
      2. 5.2 Loads on Rotor Blades
      3. 5.3 Vibrations and Buckling
      4. 5.4 Finite Element Calculations
      5. 5.5 Fibre-Reinforced Plastics
      6. 5.6 Production of Rotor Blades
      7. References
    11. 6 The Drive Train
      1. 6.1 Introduction
      2. 6.2 Blade Angle Adjustment Systems
      3. 6.3 Wind Direction Tracking
      4. 6.4 Drive Train Components
      5. 6.5 Drive Train Concepts
      6. 6.6 Damage and Causes of Damage
      7. 6.7 Design of Drive Train Components
      8. 6.8 Intellectual Property in the Wind Industry
      9. Further reading
    12. 7 Tower and Foundation
      1. 7.1 Introduction
      2. 7.2 Guidelines and Standards
      3. 7.3 Tower Loading
      4. 7.4 Verification of the Structure
      5. 7.5 Design Details
      6. 7.6 Materials for Towers
      7. 7.7 Model Types
      8. 7.8 Foundations for Onshore WTs
      9. 7.9 Exercises
      10. 7.10 Solutions
      11. References
    13. 8 Power Electronics and Generator Systems for Wind Turbines
      1. 8.1 Introduction
      2. 8.2 Single-Phase AC Voltage and Three-Phase AC Voltage Systems
      3. 8.3 Transformer
      4. 8.4 Generators for Wind Turbines
      5. 8.5 Synchronous Machines
      6. 8.6 Converter Systems for Wind Turbines
      7. 8.7 Control of Variable-Speed Converter-Generator Systems
      8. 8.8 Compliance with the Grid Connection Requirements
      9. 8.9 Further Electronic Components
      10. 8.10 Features of the Power Electronics Generator System in Overview
      11. 8.11 Exercises
      12. References
    14. 9 Control of Wind Energy Systems
      1. 9.1 Fundamental Relationships
      2. 9.2 WT Control Systems
      3. 9.3 Operating Management Systems for WTs
      4. 9.4 Wind Farm Control and Automation Systems
      5. 9.5 Remote Control and Monitoring
      6. 9.6 Communication Systems for WTS
      7. References
    15. 10 Grid Integration
      1. 10.1 Energy Supply Grids in Overview
      2. 10.2 Grid Control
      3. 10.3 Basic Terminology of Grid Integration of Wind Turbines
      4. 10.4 Grid Connections for WTs
      5. 10.5 Grid Connection of WTs
      6. 10.6 Further Developments in Grid Integration and Outlook
      7. References
    16. 11 Offshore Wind Energy
      1. 11.1 Offshore Wind Turbines
      2. 11.2 Currents and Loads
      3. 11.3 Waves, Wave Loads
      4. 11.4 Swell
      5. 11.5 Scouring Formation, Growth, Corrosion and Ice
      6. 11.6 Foundations for OWTs
      7. 11.7 Soil Mechanics
      8. References
    17. Index
    18. End User License Agreement

    Product information

    • Title: Understanding Wind Power Technology: Theory, Deployment and Optimisation
    • Author(s): Alois Schaffarczyk
    • Release date: June 2014
    • Publisher(s): Wiley
    • ISBN: 9781118647516