Design, Control and Simulation

Research Group

Research on the Entire Wind Turbine System

The working group "Design, Control and Simulation" considers the wind turbine system in all areas: from hydrodynamics to interactions of the electrical grid and control to aeroelasticity and load distribution in wind farms. The investigation of these sub-areas can be optimized by their consideration in the overall system. The research comprises design, modelling and simulation of the respective subsystems in the context of the entire plant.

Focus Areas

The aim of the controller development is to guarantee safe operation of the wind turbine in all ambient conditions while maintaining the highest possible energy yield with controllable structural loads. Here our research concentrates on:

  • Individual pitch control and downregulation of the wind turbine
  • Baseline controller development
  • Lidar-based control

These methods can also be used in combination to extend the life-time of the wind turbine.

Research on floating wind turbines brings together many of the team's competencies: It comprises the conceptual design of optimized floating substructures under consideration of probablistic design methods. The resulting reduced linear and nonlinear models are used to design special control concepts to meet the challenges of the interaction of wave loads with the soft support structure.

For large, direct drive generators (>10MW) it is desirable to reduce the total mass in order to increase the efficiency of the wind turbine. Aspects of system dynamic stability have to be considered. With the help of an interdisciplinary approach, a minimum generator mass is to be achieved at SWE and at the same time resonances in the drive train are to be avoided. In addition to the mechanical components and aeordynamic influences, this approach also takes into account the influence of the magnetic and electrical properties of the generator; especially in the case of bends in the drive train due to reduced stiffness.

In wind farms, the structural loads of wind turbines are higher than under undisturbed inflow. Using numerical methods, SWE is working on quantifying the influence of wind farm effects on structural loads. New wind farm control concepts to maximise performance are considered and the effects on the load of the wind turbines are analysed.

Team COSI

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Team: Design, Control And Simulation

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