An overview of the state of the art technologies for multi-MW scale offshore wind turbines and beyond

Anand Natarajan

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    Abstract

    An overview of technological trends in the design of multi-mega Watt wind turbines focused on the offshore sector is presented. The state of the art technologies for wind turbine design are multidisciplinary ranging from blade aeroelasticity, power transmission to the generator, to advanced control systems that ensure performance and the design of offshore support structures to minimize cost of energy. Light weight carbon fiber blades, aeroelastic tailoring using bend–twist coupling are discussed in coordination with a multitude of aerodynamic technologies for optimal power capture such as high-lift airfoils, flaps, and flat-back airfoil designs. The pitch control of the turbine responsible for rotating the blades about its axis to reduce loads is the primary load reducing mechanism of the wind turbine, for which technologies that enable wind sensing such as forward looking LIDARs and redundancy mechanisms such as individual blade pitch control offer promising advances. The lack of reliability of the gearbox has resulted in drive train technologies to move toward direct drives, whose benefits and liabilities are assessed in combination with generator concepts. The support structures are discussed within an offshore framework for shallow, moderately deep, and deep waters. Fixed substructures such as monopiles, tripods, jackets, as well as floaters such as spar buoys and tension leg platforms are brought forth. The advances in these different component technologies that enable the wind turbine system to be reliable and cost effective are described as a precursor to further in-depth reviews. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalWiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment
    Volume3
    Issue number2
    Pages (from-to)111-121
    ISSN2041-8396
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

    Keywords

    • Aerodynamics
    • Aeroelasticity
    • Airfoils
    • Carbon fibers
    • Design
    • Ground supports
    • Offshore wind turbines
    • Turbomachine blades
    • Advanced control systems
    • Aerodynamic technology
    • Aeroelastic tailoring
    • Component technologies
    • Individual blade pitch control
    • Redundancy mechanisms
    • State-of-the-art technology
    • Wind turbine systems
    • Technology

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