WIND ENERGY
Worldwide wind power rose in 2010 a 22%, which means 35,8GW. This increase places the global installed capacity at 194,4 GW, from the 158.7 GW registered the previous year. By the end of 2010, wind energy production was estimated to be 430TWh, which is supposed to be a 2,5% of all the electricity consumed in the world. Thus proves that wind energy is not only a renewable energy source, but also an upward industrial sector.
Imagenes 1:
Wind resource assessment
Before initiating any wind energy project it is compulsory to carry out a deep evaluation of how much wind is there and its characteristics at the location where the wind generator will be sited. Thus we can get a realistic estimation of the energy yield and a proper evaluation of the project’s profitability. The company is aware that this initial phase of analysis is crucial and therefore counts on specialized engineers who conduct the following studies:
- Prospection and identification of potential sites including on-site assessment.
- Measurements campaigns for acquisition of meteorological data of specific sites using met-mast and remote sensing devices such as SODAR and RASS SODAR.
- Quality control, processing and analysis of meteorological data.
- Complete meteorological studies with extensive statistics regarding temporal evolution and spatial distribution of meteorological variables: diurnal, seasonal and long-term cycles of wind speed and other variables, characterization of vertical wind and temperature profiles, atmospheric stability, turbulence intensity and influence of low level jets.
- Modeling of wind resource by means of specific traditional software using linear models and CFD software.
- Estimation of energy production considering wake losses and other losses together with the calculation of energy production uncertainties.
- Estimation of wind farm power curve for the complete range of wind speeds and wind directions.
- Short and medium term wind and energy production prediction based on neural network and fuzzy logic.
Imagenes 2:
Wind farm design and class and subclass studies
Determining the optimal display of the wind generators across a location which features have already been established is an extremely complex issue. Not only has the landscape’s orography have to be bypassed but also the precise location of every wind generator has to be defined taking into account decisive parameters like minimum distances between machines, access and maintenance pathways, among others; aiming to achieve the largest energy production possible:
- Calculation of specific wind parameters on met-mast and wind turbines positions for a given layout: Vave, Vref, wind speed distributions, turbulent intensity, wind shear, etc.
- Determination of the class and subclass of wind turbines according to IEC 61400-1.
- Complete micrositing studies optimizing the layout attending to maximum energy production and structural, topographical, environmental and infrastructures constraints.
- Analysis of environmental constraints: noise analysis, shadow flicker, visual impact and effects on fauna and flora.
- Basic wind farm design: general drawings, internal wind farm roads, site drainage systems, design of control building and substation, electrical losses calculation, wind turbine foundations design, etc.
Imagenes 3:
Aerodynamic loads analysis and wind turbines certification
Wind generator manufacturers produce machines of different dimensions and characteristics. Once the wind resource is defined and quantified, the next step is to choose the device which offers higher performance when operating in those conditions. To this matter SOLUTE’s engineers execute specific tasks:
- Analysis of fatigue, ultimate and seismic loads on wind turbines for specific site conditions (environmental conditions different from those on International Standards).
- Class and subclass certification of wind turbines according to International Standards (IEC 61400-1, Germanischer Lloyd, DIBt...).
- Wind turbines certification for special cold climate conditions.
Imagenes 4:
Structural analysis
Once the initial theoretical problem met when approaching the construction of a wind farm has been solved, we must face its execution. Structural calculations which ensure correct installation and operation of the wind generators are mandatory activities:
- Verification and certification of wind turbine mechanical components attending to International Standards.
- Advanced Finite Element (FEM) analysis: linear and non-linear calculations, thermal, buckling and transient dynamic response among others.
- Large metal structures design, analysis and certification according to International Standards such as Eurocode or VDI. Studies of welded and bolted joints.
- Design and analysis of wind turbine foundations and reinforced concrete structures.
- Analysis of lightning impacts on blades by using FEM models.
Imagenes 5:
Training courses
In addition to developing projects, SOLUTE provides training courses related to wind energy and specifically in wind resource assessment. Our training courses include the following topics:
- Overview on wind energy: basic meteorology, wind characteristics, meteorological variables distribution and profiles, aerodynamics and wind turbine performance, design conditions for wind turbines, aerodynamic loads and energy production.
- Training on courses on commercial software for wind data analysis and wind resource estimation.
- Using commercial software for loads estimation on wind turbines and influence on components design.
- Structural analysis and use of commercial FEM software for the analysis and verification of mechanical components of wind turbines
