Sensitivity Analysis of the Effect of Wind Characteristics and Turbine Properties on Wind Turbine Loads

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus Citations

Abstract

Proper wind turbine design relies on the ability to accurately predict ultimate and fatigue loads of turbines. The load analysis process requires precise knowledge of the expected wind-inflow conditions as well as turbine structural and aerodynamic properties. However, uncertainty in most parameters is inevitable. It is therefore important to understand the impact such uncertainties have on the resulting loads. The goal of this work is to assess which input parameters have the greatest influence on turbine power, fatigue loads, and ultimate loads during normal turbine operation. An elementary effects sensitivity analysis is performed to identify the most sensitive parameters. Separate case studies are performed on (1) wind-inflow conditions and (2) turbine structural and aerodynamic properties, both cases using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory 5 MW baseline wind turbine. The Veers model was used to generate synthetic International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Kaimal turbulence spectrum inflow. The focus is on individual parameter sensitivity, though interactions between parameters are considered. The results of this work show that for wind-inflow conditions, turbulence in the primary wind direction and shear are the most sensitive parameters for turbine loads, which is expected. Secondary parameters of importance are identified as veer, direction integral length, and components of the IEC coherence model, as well as the exponent. For the turbine properties, the most sensitive parameters are yaw misalignment and outboard lift coefficient distribution; secondary parameters of importance are inboard lift distribution, blade-twist distribution, and blade mass imbalance. This information can be used to help establish uncertainty bars around the predictions of engineering models during validation efforts, and provide insight to probabilistic design methods and site-suitability analyses.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)479-513
Number of pages35
JournalWind Energy Science
Volume4
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

Bibliographical note

See NREL/JA-5000-74246 for paper as published in Wind Energy Science Discussions

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-5000-74876

Keywords

  • extreme loads
  • FAST
  • fatigue loads
  • sensitivity analysis
  • turbine properties
  • wind
  • wind characteristics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sensitivity Analysis of the Effect of Wind Characteristics and Turbine Properties on Wind Turbine Loads'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this