Large Wind Turbines TechnologyLarge Wind Turbines Technology

Lee Jay FingershLee Jay Fingersh

BLM WEATSBLM WEATS

August 31, 2010August 31, 2010

Courtesy: Alternative Energy Institute

Wind Turbine Components

Power curves

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Windspeed (m/s)

Roto

r pow

er

Constant SpeedVariable Speed

Constant versus Variable speed

• Constant speed is cheaper

• Constant speed is easier to implement

• Variable speed can collect more energy

• Variable speed can control loads better

Alternative train designs

Single stage design

Direct drive design

Courtesy: Alternative Energy Institute

HAWT and VAWT

Courtesy: Alternative Energy Institute

Downwind & Upwind Turbines

Tower type

• Considerations:– Maintenance– Tower Shadow– Transportation

Lattice (2 MW)

Tubular (600 kW)

Number of blades• Odd number is better for mechanical dynamics and aesthetics• Three blades

– Most common

• Two blades– Must spin faster for the same energy– Faster = more noise– Save the cost of one blade (significant)

• One blade– Same concerns and benefits as with two blades– Also require a counterweight

• http://www.windpower.org/en/tour/design/concepts.htm

http://www.windpower.org/en/tour/design/concepts.htm

Effect of forecasting on storage

"Battery only" storage system

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

Battery only system With CAISO load forecasting With perfect wind forecasting andCAISO load forecasting

CO

E (

$/kW

h)

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

Battery S

ize (ho

urs)

COE (system) COE (wind only) Battery size

“Battery and H2” and “H2 only” systems

Systems with H2 storage included

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

Battery and H2 system H2 only system

CO

E (

$/kW

h)

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

Battery S

ize (ho

urs)

COE (system) COE (wind only) Battery size

Same battery size and COE as "Battery Only" system with forecasting because

optimizer optimized H2

system to zero size

System designed for hydrogen production

Costs and revenue with and without hydrogen production

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Battery and H2 system Nohydrogen production

Battery and H2 system withhydrogen production

H2 only system with hydrogenproduction only - no electricity

Rev

enu

e (M

$/ye

ar)

0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

CO

E ($/kW

h)

Electricity Hydrogen Capacity COE

Storage conclusions• It is possible to “firm up” wind power for a

roughly 10% increase in COE.– Using batteries is cost effective– Using hydrogen systems alone is not cost effective

because the closed-cycle efficiency is too low– Hydrogen production can be simultaneously

accomplished and is cost effective– Hydrogen production alone is less cost effective

• Control strategy and proper system sizing are very important

• With further investigation, it may be possible to do much better