Digital Twins for Wind Energy Conversion Systems: A Literature Review of Potential Modelling Techniques Focused on Model Fidelity and Computational Load

The Industry 4.0 concept of a Digital Twin will bring many advantages for wind energy conversion systems, e.g., in condition monitoring, predictive maintenance and the optimisation of control or design parameters. A virtual replica is at the heart of a digital twin. To construct a virtual replica, appropriate modelling techniques must be...

Wind turbine technology battles: Gearbox versus direct drive - opening up the black box of technology characteristics

This paper studies the battle between two types of wind turbines, the gearbox wind turbine and the direct drive wind turbine. Applicable determinants that affect technological dominance for the wind turbine drive trains case are identified. By applying the Best-Worst Method, the relative importance to the determinants to understand which of...

Electromechanical dynamics analysis of pole-piece rotors in pseudo direct-drive wind turbine generators

This paper analyses the electromechanical dynamics of the pole-piece rotors in a pseudo direct-drive wind turbine generator. The investigated generator has a rated power of 10 MW and was designed in the INNWIND.EU project. One way coupled finite element analysis (FEA) was used to calculate the rotor dynamic defections caused by...

Dynamical electromechanical analysis of pole-piece rotors in pseudo direct-drive machines: Taking the next step towards tomorrow’s wind turbines

Wind energy has shown to be a great renewable energy source, with a possible penetration of 20 % by 2040. In order to increase its competitiveness with fossil fuels, the LCOE should decrease further than it already has. Increasing the power rating of wind turbines has proven to be an effective way to achieve this. However, this results in...

Limiting mechanisms for the torque density of wind turbine drivetrains

As wind turbines continue to increase in size, so do the loads acting on the drivetrain.<br/>To handle the higher loads the mass of the drivetrain needs to increase. A better understanding<br/>of this mass increase can result in lighter drivetrain design and provide<br/>an insight which drivetrain design has the lowest mass potential for large...

Lifetime comparison of power semiconductors in three-level converters for 10MW wind turbine systems

The power electronic converter, especially the power semiconductor, is a major contributor to the failure rates of the wind turbine drivetrain. As the temperature is a major driving factor behind the failure mechanisms of these power semiconductors the choice of topology and switching strategy can have a significant effect on the reliability...

Increasing the Feasibility of Superconducting Generators for 10 MW Direct-Drive Wind Turbines

In recent years, superconducting synchronous generators (SCSGs) have been proposed as an alternative to permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs). They are expected to reduce the top head mass and the nacelle size for such large wind turbines. In 2012, the INNWIND.EU project initiated this research to investigate SCSGs for 10-20MWdirect...

Evaluation of gearbox and direct drive wind turbines: An application of the technology dominance theory combined with the Best-Worst-Method to assess the effect of factors for technology dominance on the technology dominance process of wind turbines

Power generation is at the forefront of a transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources (RES). Wind energy is a promising technology with rapid developments and the installed base of wind turbines is continuously increasing. Currently, the majority of the installed wind turbines can be categorised under the direct drive wind turbine...

Potential of Partially Superconducting Generators for Large Direct-Drive Wind Turbines

This paper aims at assessing the potential of partially superconducting generators for 10 MW direct-drive wind turbines by investigating their performance for a very wide range of excitation currents. Performance indicators such as shear stress and efficiency and other generator characteristics are compared for 12 different generator topologies....

Structural Dynamic Topology Optimisation of a Direct-Drive Single Bearing Wind Turbine Generator

Reducing weight of off-shore wind turbine nacelles is currently a key driver of innovation within the wind turbine industry. Weight reduction will not only lead to smaller loads and thus smaller towers of the turbine, but also reduce logistic costs during the turbine’s installation. This holds even more so for off-shore turbines, the costs...

New bearingless generator with buoyant rotor for large direct-drive wind turbines

Improved cost of energy comparison of permanent magnet generators for large offshore wind turbines

This paper investigates geared and direct-drive permanent magnet generators for a typical offshore wind turbine, providing a detailed comparison of various wind turbine drivetrain configurations in order to minimise the Cost of Energy. The permanent magnet generator topologies considered include a direct-drive machine and single stage, two-stage...

Design study of a 10 MW MgB2 superconductor direct drive wind turbine generator

A superconducting direct drive generator based on field windings of MgB2 superconducting tape is proposed as a solution by mounting the generator in front of the blades using a king-pin nacelle design for offshore turbines with power ratings larger than 10 MW as investigated in the INNWIND.EU project.

Rough design of a 10 MW HTS wind generator

Structural Flexibility of Large Direct Drive Generators for Wind Turbines

The trend in wind energy is towards large offshore wind farms. This trend has led to the demand for high reliability and large single unit wind turbines. Different energy conversion topologies such as multiple stage geared generators, single stage geared generators and gearless (direct drive) generators have been coupled to the wind turbine in...

Investigation on the Possible Use of Magnetic Bearings in Large Direct Drive Wind Turbines

A direct drive generator used in wind turbine has high energy yield compared to other drivetrain topologies and low maintenance is expected as the technology matures. On the other hand direct drive generator weight and size increases rapidly when scaled up to larger units. This paper will investigate the possibility of weight reduction of large...

Design of 2.25 MW, permanent magnet direct drive generator for wind energy applications with concentrated windings and reduction of eddy current losses in the rotor back iron