Turbulence effects on a full-scale 2.5 MW horizontal axis wind turbine

ORAL

Abstract

Power fluctuations and fatigue loads are among the most significant problems that wind turbines face throughout their lifetime. Turbulence is the common driving mechanism that triggers instabilities on these quantities. We investigate the complex response of a full-scale 2.5 MW wind turbine under nearly neutral thermal stratification. The study is performed in the EOLOS Wind Energy Research Field Station of the University of Minnesota. An instrumented 130 meter meteorological tower located upstream of a Clipper Liberty C96 wind turbine is used to characterize the turbulent flow and atmospheric conditions right upstream of the wind turbine. High resolution and synchronous measurements of the wind velocity, turbine power and strain at the tower foundation are used to determine the scale-to-scale interaction between flow and the wind turbine. The structure of the fluctuating turbine power and instantaneous stresses are studied in detail. Important insights about the role of turbulent and coherent motions as well as strong intermittent gusts will be discussed.

*Funding was provided by Department of Energy DOE (DE-EE0002980) and Xcel Energy through the Renewable Development Fund (grant RD3-42).

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Authors

  • Leonardo Chamorro

    • U. of Minnesota
    • St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, Dep. Civil Engineering, UMN
    • University of Minnesota
    • U. of Minneasota

  • Seung-Jae Lee

    • University of Minnesota
    • U. of Minneasota
    • Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota

  • David Olsen

    • University of Minnesota

  • Chris Milliren

    • University of Minnesota

  • Jeff Marr

    • University of Minnesota

  • Roger Arndt

    • U. of Minnesota
    • University of Minnesota
    • U. of Minneasota
    • Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory - University of Minnesota

  • Fotis Sotiropoulos

    • U. of Minnesota
    • University of Minnesota
    • U. of Minneasota
    • St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, 2 Third Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
    • St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota
    • St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2 Third Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
    • Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota