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Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Animesh Dutta
Energy, Asian Institute of Technology
July 06, 2006

Driving to the future

Efficiency

Emission

Driving Forces
Determine
Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Economics

Mass-produced widely distributed PV arrays and wind turbines may

eventually generate 10-30 TW emission-free

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Ancient Resource Meets 21st Century

Technology

The power of the wind has been used throughout human history, to
power sailboats, to mill grain, and to pump water. Inventors first used
wind power to create electricity late in the nineteenth century. Todays
wind turbines are sophisticated machines that use state-of-the-art
technology to convert raw power from the wind into electricity that can
be contribute to the countrys power needs.
Basics of Wind Energy Technology

OBJECTIVE OF THIS PRESENTATION

This presentation discusses the following:
(a) Fundamentals of Wind Power
(b) Type of Turbines
(c) Wind Energy Applications
(d) Economics
(e) Advantages and disadvantages

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Fundamentals of Wind Power

Wind is stochastic in nature
Speed and direction of wind at
a location vary randomly with
time
Apart from the seasonal and
daily variations, the wind
pattern may change from year
to year-even to the extent of
10 to 30 per cent
Hence, the behavior of the
wind at a prospective site
should be properly analyzed.

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Global Wind
At equator, a low pressure belt
is created because of strong
solar radiation. At the surface,
this region is called doldrums.
At the tropopause, the air cools
until it reaches latitudes of
about 30degrees where it sinks
back to the surface, creating a
high pressure belt.
Some are forced back towards
low pressure zone (trade
winds). The rest moves
towards pole until it reaches 60
degree latitudes and forms a
similar kinds of loop both with
the poles and with the 30
degree latitudes.
Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Global wind
Also when earth is rotating, the winds are subjected to a phenomenon
known as the Coriolis Effect.
High pressure region
Coriolis force
Force due to
pressure gradient
Resulting path

Low pressure region

The earth receives around 1.71014 kW of power

from the sun in the form of solar radiation
Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Fundamental of wind power

The wind, for example the shoreline breeze, is the
result of uneven heating of the earth by the sun.

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Fundamental of wind power

Similarly, mountain-valley winds are also created.

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Wind speed Classification of the Beaufort Wind

Scale

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FUNDAMENTALS OF WIND POWER

Single obstacles are no problem if the total

rotor area is over three times higher than the
obstacle or if there is sufficient distance
(could be up to 35 times the height) available.
The wind speed is increases with the height
from the ground because of the roughness of
the ground.
The wind speed v(h2) at height Z0 can be
calculated directly using the following
equation

h2 d
ln

z
v(h2 ) = v(h1 ). 0
h1 d
ln

z
0

12

10

Wind velocity, m/s

0
0

20

40

60

Distance from the ground, m

Here, Z0 is the height at which the wind is slowed to zero and d is the
parameter for displacement boundary layer for obstacles
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Effect of Z0 and d on the wind speed at h2=10 m

[v(h1)=10 m/s at h1=50 m]

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Energy and power in the wind

14

1
E = m V2
2

V
The power in the wind is proportional to:

Power available from

wind energy

1
3
P = AV
2

The density of air. It is lower at higher

mountainous regions; but avg. density in cold
climates may be up to 10% higher than in
tropical regions.
The area through which the wind is passing;
and
The cube of wind velocity. Power increase a
factor of 8 if wind velocity increases to double
of its original.

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Power Coefficient and utilization efficiency

For utilization of wind power, wind turbine
should take as much power from the wind
as possible. The turbine slows the speed
from v1 to v2 and uses the corresponding
power differences.
Turbine power

Wind power

PT =

1
m& v12 v 22
2

1
P0 = A v13
2

)
1
&
m = A (v1 + v 2 )
2

The power coefficient of the rotor can be defined as the ratio of actual
power developed by the rotor to the theoretical power available in the wind.

PT
Cp =
P0

Maximum Cp is about 0.6 when the ideal speed ratio (v2/v1=1/3)

However, for a good system Cp lies between 0.4~0.5

Power utilization efficiency is defined as PTactual/PTideal = Cp/Cpmax

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

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Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Airfoil Lift and drag

17

L
F

Flow

1
L = CL A V 2
2

1
D = CD A V 2
2

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

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Basics of Wind Energy Technology

TYPE OF TURBINES

Lift machines and Drag machines

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Examples of wind energy conversion

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Examples of wind energy conversion

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Wind Turbine Classification

Horizontal axis

Single-bladed
Head-on

Double-bladed
Triple-bladed
Multi-bladed
Darrieus

Vertical axis

Savonius
H rotor
Basics of Wind Energy Technology

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Savonius rotor

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Use drag principle. It has two semicylindrical blades open on opposite

sides. Near the axis blades overlap
to redirect wind from one blade to
the other

It also utilizes lift to have a better

efficiency than simple drag devices
However, efficiency is much worse than that of good lift devices (max Cp=0.25)
Star at very low speed and used for ventilation purpose, but requires higher
material
Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Vertical Axis: Darrieus

Consists of two or three rotor blades
that have the shape of parabola.
The profile of the rotor blades
designed such a way that it uses lift
principle. Because of vertical axis
angle of attack changes continuously.
Efficiency is much higher compared to
Savonius rotor however only 75% of
modern rotor with horizontal axis.
It cannot start on its own; always
needs an auxiliary starting system.

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H rotor
H rotor is the further development of
Darrieus rotor and uses the concept of
lift device.
A permanent-magnet generator is
directly integrated into the rotor
structure and needs no gearbox.
The three rotor blades are attached
vertically.
Supports to vertical axis helps rotor
maintain its shape.
Used for extreme weather conditions
such as in the high mountains or in
Antartica.

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Wind turbines with horizontal rotor axis

A horizontal axis wind turbine generally consists of the following

components

Rotor blades, rotor hub, rotor brake and a pitch mechanism if needed
Electrical generator and a gearbox if needed
Wind measurement system and yaw drive (azimuth tracking)
Nacelle, tower and foundation
Control substation and main connection

Number of rotor blades:

Can have one, two or three rotor blades, Lower the number of blades
less the material is.
Single-bladed rotor must have a counter weight.
Three-bladed rotors have optically smoother operation and hence
integrated better with the landscape.
Higher optimal power coefficient above two-bladed rotors
compensate the disadvantages of higher material demand.

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Classification of wind turbines by number of

blades
Tip speed ratio: 7-8

Tip speed ratio: 10

Tip speed ratio: 15

Wind speed ranges:

Cut-in speed = 2.5-4.5 m/s; design wind speed = 6-10 m/s;
nominal wind speed = 10-16 m/s; cut-out wind speed = 20-30 m/s;
and survival wind speed = 50-70 m/s
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TYPE OF TURBINES

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Upwind and Downwind machines

Upwind

Downwind

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Wind Turbine Layout

2-bladed
downwind

Hingedrotor blades
FMRS
Basics of Wind Energy Technology

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Off-the-shelf
generator

Wind Industry Growth Trends

Larger multi-MW turbines

Demand for new innovative technologies
Led by Europeans
Offshore & low wind regime focus in U.S.

Altamont
Region
10 m,
26 ft
0.15 MW
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WIND ENERGY APPLICATIONS

Wind Energy Applications

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Sizes and Applications

Small (10 kW)

Intermediate
(10-250 kW)

Homes
Farms
Remote Application

Village Power
Hybrid Systems
Distributed Power

Large (660 kW - 2+MW)

Central Station Wind Farms
Distributed Power
Community Wind
Basics of Wind Energy Technology

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Out of the Shadow:

The Bright Future for

Small Wind Systems

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Modern Small Wind Turbines:

High Tech, High Reliability, Low Maintenance
Products from 400 W 50
kW
Technically Advanced
Only 2-3 Moving Parts
Very Low Maintenance
Requirements

10 kW
50 kW

400 W
900 W
(Not to scale)

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

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Small Turbines Require Less Wind

Large Turbines
Require ~ Class
3-4 Wind Regime
Prefer Class 5

Small Turbines
Require ~ Class
2 Wind Regime

Class 1

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

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Clean Distributed Generation

Renewables for Homes, Farms, and Businesses

Status
of the
Technologies

Photovoltaics

Solar Thermal

Small Wind

Status

Commercial

Demo

Commercial

Installed Cost

$ 9 / Watt

$ 10 / Watt

Payback Period

30 Years

30+ Years

15 Years

Cost Potential

$ 3 in 2010

$ 1.50 in 2010

Typical Site

Suburban

Southwest

Rural

Available Resources

Poor - Good

Poor - Good

Poor - Great

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

$ 4 / Watt

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Rural Residential Wind

TYPICAL HOME SYSTEM

10 kW (6 m Rotor Diameter)
Rural Site, 1 Acre or More
Connected to House Wiring
Produces ~ 13,000 kWh per
Year
Offsets ~ 7 Tons of CO2 per
Year
Excess Power Sold to Utility
Cost: ~ $32,000 - $40,000

10 kW Wind Turbine

24 m (80 ft)
GuyedTower

Safety
Switch

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Cummulative
Production
Meter
Power
AC Load
Processing
Center
Unit (Inverter)

Micro Wind Turbines

Below 400 W for Battery Charging, Tourism Industry

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Small Wind Turbines

0.4 to 100 kW
Off-grid applications

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Large Wind Turbines

100 kW and above

Provide bulk power, grid or off grid

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

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Economics of Wind Energy

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Wind Energy Cost Competitiveness

12.8
8.2

Source: BTM Consult

8.7

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Nu
cl
ea
r

G
eo
th
er
m
al

Hy
dr
o

5.2

Co
al

4.2

G
as

En
er
gy

4.3

W
in
d

/kWh
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

Renewable Energy Cost Trends

42

Levelized cents/kWh in constant $20001

100

COE cents/kWh

40

Wind
30

60
20
40
10
0
1980

COE cents/kWh

10
8
6
4
2
0
1980

1990

PV

80

20
1990

2000

2010

70
Geothermal
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2000
2010
2020 1980

0
1980

2020

1990

Solar thermal

2000

2010

2020

15

Biomass

12
9
6
3
1990

2000

2010

2020

0
1980

Source: NREL Energy Analysis Office (www.nrel.gov/analysis/docs/cost_curves_2002.ppt)

1
These graphs are reflections of historical cost trends NOT precise annual historical data.
Updated: October 2002

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

1990

2000

2010

2020

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Construction Cost Elements

Financing &
Legal Fees
3%
Development
Activity
4%

Design &
Engineering
2%

Land
Transportation
2%

Interconnect/
Subsation
4%

Turbines,
49%

Interest During
Construction
4%
Towers
(tubular steel)
10%
Construction
22%
Basics of Wind Energy Technology

Cost of Wind Energy

Source: American Wind Energy Association

Basics of Wind Energy Technology

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More Expensive, but Also More

Valuable
Large Turbines

~ $1,000 / kW
High Voltage Delivery

Value of Power:

2-5
Small Turbines

~ $2 3,000 / kW
Low Voltage Delivery

Value of Power:

6-18
Basics of Wind Energy Technology

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Advantages of Wind Power

Environmental

No air pollution
No greenhouse gasses
Does not pollute water with mercury
No water needed for operations

Resource Diversity & Conservation

Domestic energy source
Inexhaustible supply
Small, dispersed design reduces supply risk

Cost Stability
Economic Development
Expanding Wind Power development brings jobs to rural communities
Increased tax revenue
Purchase of goods & services

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Noise pattern of a Typical Wind Turbine

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Wind Turbines:
Power for a House or City

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Thank You for Your

Attention

Basics of Wind Energy Technology