DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and renewables certification body, has launched a Joint Industry Project (JIP) with a team of industry partners to develop a new Best Practice for the validation of turbulence models. The JIP “Validation of Turbulence Models” aims to create a better understanding of turbulence modeling to reduce uncertainty in the design of wind farms.
The intent is to jointly develop guidelines in the form of a Best Practice document to improve accuracy on site-specific load assessments and lead to a reduction in the cost of wind energy.
By validating key turbulence parameters and evaluating their load impact, the JIP will provide guidance for optimal wind turbulence design and site assessments in a new Best Practice document for wind turbines.
Currently the industry relies on wind turbulence models that were developed decades ago when wind-turbine designs were smaller than modern turbine types. With the increased size of turbines, current turbulence models result in large fatigue load variations with differences of up to 20%. Furthermore, existing turbulence models are often insufficiently applicable to other site-conditions beyond flat terrain and neutral stability.
By providing a platform to discuss challenges, such as the most appropriate turbulence model parameters and whether parameters should differ onshore and offshore, stakeholders are developing a mutual alignment on key questions that are vital to moving the industry forward.
“In the design of wind turbines, the critical factor is often the wind inflow modeling, and often it is a challenge to model the wind and turbulence correctly at a specific site with only a limited amount of measured data,” said Kenneth Thomsen, Head of Section for Wind Turbine Loads and Control at DTU Wind Energy. “In this project, we aim to establish recommendations for using existing wind and turbulence models, but also for further development of these for future use.”
The JIP will collect onshore and offshore wind measurement data from more than 30 global sites, considering onshore, offshore, and coastal influences in the analysis. The participants include a global range of wind farm developers, wind turbine manufactures and research institutes.
The following companies are members of the project:
- Christian Michelsen Research AS
- DONG Energy Wind Power
- DTU Wind Energy
- Gamesa Innovation and Technology
- GE Global Research
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
- Siemens Wind Power AS
- SSE Renewables Developments LTD
- Statoil Petroleum AS
- Suzlon
- TechnoCentre Éolien
- Vattenfall AB
“Wind turbulence plays a major role in power production and loading on wind turbines. As a wind turbine manufacturer, this Joint Industry Project will help us create more reliable and cost effective designs, both at a wind turbine level and at a complete wind farm design level” says Enrique Gómez de las Heras, Loads & Dynamics Section Leader at Gamesa Innovation & Technology.
Jose Simon, Senior Engineer at DNV GL – Energy Renewables Certification, is responsible for setting up the JIP. “In the planning process, it became apparent that there is currently area for improvement on turbulence modeling, especially for site-specific turbulence,” he explained.
“Talking to different wind industry stakeholders during the preparation for this project highlighted the necessity of aligning industry expectations on turbulence in a Best Practice. To gain a deeper understanding of turbulence modeling the industry needs to collaborate and this project provides a unique platform to do so.”
Interested parties can still join the Joint Industry Project subjected to approval by the Steering Committee. (Contact: Mersudin Bajric Principal Project Manager)
Filed Under: News, Policy, Turbines
