the turbines of tomorrow and tpwind · improved load calculations: rationalization of safety...
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The turbines of tomorrow and TPWind
Henning Kruse TPWind Chairperson
Turbines of tomorrow – introduction Defining the characteristics of the turbines of tomorrow is essential to drive
forward the development of the EU wind energy sector and contribute to the conservation of its global technological leadership
The relevant way forward is now defined at EU level by the European Wind Initiative (EWI), a € 6 bn Programme (of public and private resources) for the support of wind power over the 2010 – 2020 period
The EWI is managed by EU and national Institutions together with the European Wind Energy Technology Platform (TPWind)
EWI priorities reflect those identified by TPWind in its 2008 Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), an overview of wind power R&D challenges
The following slides provide an overview of the R&D areas that need to be tackled to develop the turbines of tomorrow, as well as the expected R&D results identified by TPWind
It is nevertheless important to note since the beginning that the details of future wind turbines’ design remain uncertain: only time will tell in which direction the industry will head
Turbines of tomorrow – is upscaling the only answer?
Turbines of tomorrow – where to move from now? (I) Upscaling existing designs will certainly not represent the only answer Integrated design for large scale turbines will be needed as well as
technological breakthroughs to make very large wind turbines viable Relevant R&D actions, as defined by the EWI, will therefore be essential! The UPWIND project lead by Risoe/DTU and funded by the EC through the
FP6 explored the feasibility of large scale designs, hence playing an essential part in the implementation of the EWI
UPWIND is therefore one of the major achievements of the EU wind energy industry and R&D community in studying the turbines of tomorrow
Some of its key results are the following: Manufacturing, transport and installation of large scale machines is technically
possible However, this does not mean that a 20MW version of a current state-of-the-art
5MW machine will offer any cost/performance advantages In the energy industry, economies of scale generally lead to larger designs for
cost-effectiveness but does not necessarily apply after a certain size
Turbines of tomorrow – where to move from now? (II) In order to develop the turbines of tomorrow effectively, the cost of energy
needs to go down The following strategies could therefore be explored through dedicated
R&D: Aerodynamic improvements New control systems for enhanced wind utilization Weight reduction, also through use of dedicated materials (e.g. composites,
bamboo and carbon fibers for new blades, lightweight generators, alternatives to steel for towers, resistant lightweight anti-corrosion alloys for medium depths offshore substructures, coating of turbines to reduce radar visibility)
New, automated manufacturing techniques Improved load calculations: rationalization of safety factors Increased availability of turbines Reliability-based design Better condition monitoring 5
Turbines of tomorrow – a look into the future In the future, very large wind turbines with an installed power of over 10 MW
each, operating as wind “power plants” of several hundreds of megawatts capacity, will become necessary in order to de-carbonize our economy and ensuring security of supply
Such machines are not available yet Future wind turbine rotors may have a diameter of over 150 meters, which
means that the flow in the rotor plane will be non-uniform Full blade pitch control would therefore no longer be sufficient: local flow control
along the blades, for instance by varying the local profile shape, might be taken into consideration
However, without associated new control strategies (software), the new hardware will be useless
Wind turbines are highly non-linear, reactive machines operating under stochastic external conditions. Understanding them is of the utmost importance to ensure cost reduction and ultimate competitiveness
For the same reason, more accurate, reliable and linearly responding measuring sensors and associated software are needed
Turbines of tomorrow – required areas of research defined by TPWind in the EWI (I) Bigger and more reliable wind turbines will have to be developed in the next
10 years in order to support the growth of the sector, especially offshore To develop new machines in the 10 – 20 MW range, R&D is needed in the
following areas:
Advanced aerodynamic modeling, design and testing, including flow devices for distributed aerodynamic control of very large rotor blades and aero tools for turbines on floating structures
Characterization and development of materials and components for wind turbines, including upscaling effects
Development and integration of drive trains – mechanical transmission, generator and power electronics – both theoretical and sub-system validation
Sensing, algorithms and actuation in control strategies and systems Analysis of flow in and around large wind farms an through control optimization of
power performance and minimizing dynamic loading Smarter O&M with preventive maintenance and condition monitoring Optimization of life-cycle cost
Turbines of tomorrow – required areas of research defined by TPWind in the EWI (II)
Turbine optimization and demonstration for complex terrain and extreme climates Definition of methods and standards for testing large wind turbine components Improvement of size and capabilities of system-lab testing facilities for 10 – 20 MW
turbines Field testing facilities for 10 – 20 MW aimed at increasing reliability Development of large scale manufacturing and logistics processes
In terms of offshore wind energy, additional R&D areas to take into consideration are the following:
Site identification for demonstration of large-scale substructures Development of deep-offshore concepts Mass-manufacturing of substructures to support the growth of the sector in Europe Standards for offshore safety, operation and subcontracting (technology transfer from
the oil & gas and maritime sectors)
Turbines of tomorrow – R&D objectives defined by TPWind in the EWI (I) Given the R&D areas previously outlined, expected results in the next years
are the following:
Development and testing a generator and drive train for turbine in the 10-20 MW range: 10 MW in 2012, 12 MW in 2016, over 15 MW in 2018
Design and testing of very large blades including smart aerodynamic control over 80 m length. Goals: 80 m in 2014 (8-10 MW), 100 m in 2016 (12 MW), over 110 m in 2018 (15 MW+)
Demonstration of a 15-20 MW prototype on period 2017-2020 Methods and standards for testing large components available in 2011 2 additional drive-train testing facilities for 15 MW+ turbines in 2015 2 additional blade testing facilities for 15 MW+ turbines in 2015 1 dedicated wind tunnel for large-scale designs in 2015 2 additional full-scale field testing facilities established in 2015 (by 2012, sites are
identified in agreement with national governments) 5 to 10 automated production facilities to mass manufacture wind turbines in the 10 to
20 MW range established: 6 MW facilities ready in 2012; 8-10 MW facilities ready in 2016; over 12 MW facilities ready in 2018
Turbines of tomorrow – R&D objectives defined by TPWind in the EWI (II) In terms of offshore wind energy, additional R&D results expected in the
coming years are the following:
Development and implementation of a smart control strategy minimizing the loads and improving the efficiency of a large offshore wind farm of 1 GW scale. The objective is to improve power output of the turbines in the center of the array by 5 to 10%
Development of the necessary manufacturing capacity to manufacture substructures suitable for water depths > 30 m, able to supply substructures for a project volume of 2 GW in 2012, 3.1 GW in 2015, and 6.9 GW in 2020
Standards developed in 2012 and implemented in 2015 Increased availability of current large offshore designs by 10%, measured in
number of hours
TPWind – objectives (since launch in 2006) Scoping sector innovation and R&D needs
R&D SET- Plan, FP7, other EU and National plans
A single, powerful voice for R&D EU Institutions, Member States, industry, other energy sectors, R&D institutions and
financial intermediaries
Maximal sector sensitivity. Better communication Within the wind sector as well as externally (other industry sectors & technology
platforms)
Docking station Monitor ongoing initiatives (EC / other EU & national) Strengthen the ERA (European Research Area) Assess and monitor ongoing and new research projects
Effective Action Plans, for technology and policy Strategic Research Agenda & Market Development Strategy (SRA/MDS) – published
in July 2008 European Wind Initiative (EWI) – published by EC in October 2009 2010 – 2012 EWI Implementation Plan – published by EC in June 2010 2011 EWI Work Programme – currently being developed (expected: end of 2010)
TPWind – new structure (as from end of 2010)
TPWind – added value for the sector and members TPWind plays an essential role for the EU wind energy sector because:
It is not a lobbying organization but a network that experts can join without paying a fee. It therefore represents the wind power industry and R&D community in a transparent and open way vis-à-vis EU Institutions, Member States and other relevant stakeholders
It clarifies the development trajectory of wind power in Europe through the identification of relevant R&D priorities and the management of the EWI, hence creating favourable conditions for the deployment of wind energy and relevant investments
TPWind members benefit from the Platform because: They can exchange information on a regular basis with other wind
power professionals They can expand their network They can influence EU policies for wind energy They can get additional visibility at European level
