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Using system identification in modeling the yaw response of tail fins for small wind turbines with bearing friction

Journal Article · · Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0252280· OSTI ID:2565358

Here, we describe three main developments of our previous study of the nonlinear yaw dynamics of the tail fins for small wind turbines [Khedr et al., J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 16, 053305 (2024)]. First, the model constants derived from archived computational and experimental studies are adjusted by employing system identification (SI) to maximize the model's agreement with wind tunnel tests. This adjustment was done for high wind speeds, where yaw bearing friction can be ignored. When starting a turbine at low wind speed, however, friction can become important. Our second development is to implement a model for the frictional resistive torque and use SI to maximize its accuracy. These developments used wind tunnel experiments on generic delta, elliptical, and rectangular planforms that were described by Khedr et al. [J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 16, 053305 (2024)]. Since the aerodynamic and friction models employ a large number of constants, we describe ways to constrain the values using linearized solutions of the response equations for small and large yaw angles. Third, we test the generality of the aerodynamic and friction modeling using the complex planform from a commercial small turbine, for which limited theoretical and computational guidance is available in selecting the model constants. The model implemented with SI is shown to provide an accurate description of the yaw response of the complex planform. Guidelines are given for the use of wind tunnel tests to determine the model constants for tail fins of any planform.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Wind Energy Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
2565358
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA--5000-92258
Journal Information:
Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Journal Name: Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 17; ISSN 1941-7012
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (10)

A survey of models, analysis tools and compensation methods for the control of machines with friction journal July 1994
Implications of scale effect for the prediction of high angle of attack aerodynamics journal April 2005
Drivetrain resistance and starting performance of a small wind turbine journal March 2018
Experimental investigation of drivetrain resistance applied to small wind turbines journal June 2020
Model selection and overfitting journal August 2016
The nonlinear behavior of generic tail fins for small wind turbines journal October 2024
Aeroelastic modelling of tail fins for small wind turbines journal May 2022
Aerodynamic properties of crescent wing planforms journal March 1994
State-space representation of aerodynamic characteristics of an aircraft at high angles of attack journal September 1994
Forces and Moments on Flat Plates of Small Aspect Ratio with Application to PV Wind Loads and Small Wind Turbine Blades journal March 2015

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