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Title: Coupling turbulent flow with blade aeroelastics and control modules in large-eddy simulation of utility-scale wind turbines

Journal Article · · Physics of Fluids
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0135518· OSTI ID:1959031

We present a large-eddy simulation framework capable of control co-design of large wind turbines, coupling the turbulent flow environment with blade aeroelastics and turbine controllers. The geometry and aerodynamics of the rotor blades and the turbine nacelle are parameterized using an actuator surface model. The baseline collective pitch control and individual pitch control (IPC) algorithms, consisting of a single-input, single-output proportional–integral controller and two integral controllers, respectively, are incorporated into the simulation framework. Furthermore, a second-order model based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory is implemented to describe the blade deformation. Simulations are carried out to investigate the impact of collective and individual pitch control strategies on the deflection of turbine blades. Our results show that the IPC reduces the blade tip deflection fluctuations in the out-of-plane direction, while the fluctuations of the blade tip deflection along the in-plane direction are barely affected by the IPC. Furthermore, the blade out-of-plane deformation fluctuation is underestimated by the one-way coupling approach compared to the two-way coupling approach. Furthermore, the findings of this study reveal the importance of advanced control systems in reducing the dynamic loads on wind turbine blades and underscore the potential of control co-design to reduce the levelized cost of wind energy.

Research Organization:
Stony Brook Univ., NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Water Power Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0009450
OSTI ID:
1959031
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1909492
Journal Information:
Physics of Fluids, Vol. 35, Issue 1; ISSN 1070-6631
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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