Editor’s Choice Articles

Wind is a significant contributor to global energy requirement, with technological advancements in this industry enabling its rapid growth over the last few decades. The rise in demand for clean energy provides the driving factor to make wind more efficient and widespread. One such solution involves mitigating the aerodynamic noise of wind turbine rotors to harness untapped energy and improve turbine efficiency. Quieter wind turbines gain community acceptance, promoting their widespread application. This article explores passive compliant coatings applied to a flat plate under fully turbulent conditions through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel testing. It extends prior flat plate investigations by evaluating the noise mitigation potential of passive compliant coatings in the context of wind turbine trailing edge (TE) noise. Two coatings with distinct material properties were investigated through Computational Aeroacoustics Analysis (CAA) and Fluid–Structure Interaction (FSI). While coating-1 (Dow Corning Silastic S-2) increased the overall sound pressure level (OASPL) by 2.89 dB, coating-2 (Dow Corning Sylgard 184) reduced TE noise by 2–4 dB/Hz between 600 and 1575 Hz and lowered the OASPL by 1.85 dB. Within the two configurations investigated, the differences in noise mitigation characteristics may be attributed to variations in coating stiffness and geometric compliance. Based on these simulations, wind tunnel tests were conducted to record noise measurements using coating-2 which revealed a 3.23 dB OASPL reduction, suggesting its suitability for wind turbine noise mitigation applications. Full article

As wind farms in North America near the end of their design life, different end-of-life options need to be considered. Common options include decommissioning, lifetime extension, and repowering. In this research, a methodology to support early-stage repowering decisions is presented. Performance decline and repowering forecasts are obtained by combining analysis of past performance data and preliminary site plans for new turbines with turbine performance models from windPRO software. Financial metrics are computed using a simple techno-economic model with parameters informed by historical financial records. Repowering decisions are often sensitive to assumptions on key parameters, such as capital cost of repowering, which are poorly defined at the beginning of the process and subject to change quickly. This makes it difficult to provide guidance that will remain relevant as more information is obtained during future project planning stages. In this work, constrained optimization methods are used to identify sets of the key inputs that lie on the break-even point at which repowering is more profitable than continuing operation. Using this approach, which is novel in this context, the client gains an intuition for the ‘envelope’ within which the recommended guidance still holds. This decision-making process is applied to a case study using performance data and cost ranges from a real, anonymous wind farm. Full article

Forests play a vital role in influencing wind flow by modifying turbulence intensity and vertical wind shear. Because wind turbines are susceptible to these conditions, accurately characterising wind flow in forested environments is vital to ensuring structural reliability and realistic energy-yield assessments. In Latvia, where approximately 51.3% of the territory is covered by forests; the likelihood of wind turbine deployment in such areas is considerable. However, wind behaviour within and above forests is complex and strongly influenced by canopy effects, which in turn affect wake dynamics, structural fatigue, and power production. Advancing research in this field is therefore crucial for improving the accuracy of wind resource assessment and supporting evidence-based engineering solutions that enable the sustainable development of wind energy. Wind conditions were evaluated using NORA3 reanalysis data. Wake effects were simulated with the Jensen wake model to estimate annual energy production (AEP), which then informed levelised cost of energy (LCOE) calculations at various hub heights. The results indicate clear seasonal variability and show that increasing hub height leads to higher AEP and lower LCOE, owing to higher wind speeds and reduced turbulence. For forest heights of 0–25 m, the AEP loss increases from 7.8% (hub height = 199 m) to 22.9% (hub height = 114 m). Higher hub heights are also less sensitive to canopy-induced variability, reducing the impact of forest-related turbulence on energy production. Full article

Considering the growing potential of artificial intelligence (AI), its application has become increasingly relevant in climate-related studies and energy assessments. In this study, the Random Forest algorithm was applied to impute missing values in time series of air temperature, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, and wind direction. The performance of the data imputation was evaluated using RMSE, MSE, and MAE metrics, as well as the Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test, which supported the selection of the most appropriate exogenous variable. Subsequently, short-term wind speed forecasting was performed using the SARIMAX model, and monthly energy generation was estimated for the V80/2000, SWT-2.3-101, and S95/2100 wind turbine models. The proposed methodology was applied to data from 50 conventional meteorological stations of the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) located in Northeast Brazil. The results indicate that the gap-filling procedure was effective, particularly for wind speed and mean air temperature. Moreover, the SARIMAX model demonstrated good forecasting performance at most of the analyzed stations. Overall, the findings suggest that the majority of the locations analyzed present favorable conditions for wind-based electricity generation. Full article

In anticipation of the implementation of the Second-Generation Eurocodes, evaluating the suitability of these standards is necessary to ensure the structural safety and sustainable design of Ireland’s future building stock. This paper provides a detailed comparative analysis of the wind loading codes of practice relevant to Ireland: The Irish National Annex to EN1991-1-4 (2005) and the draft version of the Second-Generation Eurocode, EN1991-1-4 (2025). Quantitative evaluation is conducted across a range of building typologies, with calculations performed for various sites and structural geometries. The findings reveal marked differences in wind load predictions between the codes, particularly affecting base shear values and net pressure coefficients. Areas of concern regarding structural design efficiency and safety for future building structures in Ireland are outlined. The significant inconsistencies between provisions within the codes of practice are identified and critically evaluated from both theoretical and practical perspectives, providing insight into the optimal solution for implementation in Irish engineering practice. Full article

This study investigates the topology optimisation of a composite wind turbine blade with the objective of improving its structural performance under static and dynamic constraints. Two distinct optimisation strategies—based on static deformation limits and modal frequency enhancement—are employed to achieve mass reduction while maintaining or improving mechanical performance. The optimisation process incorporates modal characterisation of the first ten natural frequencies and a detailed static stress analysis. Results indicate that the optimised designs achieve a notable increase in the fundamental natural frequency of the blade—from 2.32 Hz to 2.99 Hz—and reduce the overall mass by approximately 49%, lowering it from 4.55 × 10⁵ kg to around 2.34 × 10⁵ kg compared to the original configuration. In particular, the optimised geometry offers improved stiffness and a more uniform stress distribution, especially in the flapwise bending and torsional modes. Higher-order torsional frequencies remain well-separated from typical excitation sources, minimising resonance risks. These findings highlight the effectiveness of constraint-driven topology optimisation in enhancing structural performance and reducing material usage in wind turbine blade design. Full article

Mexico holds significant potential for wind energy development, owing to its strategic geographic location and extensive coastlines. This review article systematically explores the technical, environmental, and economic aspects of wind energy in five different climatic zones in Mexico, reviewing potential zones for wind energy development, with the focus on the key case studies, ongoing project, and wind power performance metrics. It also critically examines the key challenges and opportunities within Mexico’s wind energy portfolio, with a focus on social, economic, environmental, and regulatory dimensions that influence the sector’s development and long-term sustainability. The results indicate that Oaxaca leads Mexico’s onshore wind potential with a power density of 761 W/m², followed by strong resources in Tamaulipas and Baja California, where wind speeds exceed 6 m/s. For offshore wind potential, Isthmus of Tehuantepec demonstrates outstanding offshore potential, with wind power densities exceeding 1000 W/m² and wind speeds above 8 m/s. Major challenges include inconsistent or unclear governmental policies regarding renewable energy incentives, regulatory uncertainties, and social resistance from local communities concerned about environmental impacts and land use. These obstacles underline the need for integrated, transparent policies and inclusive engagement strategies to carry out the full potential of wind energy in Mexico. Full article

Wind power output fluctuations, driven by variable wind speeds, create significant challenges for grid stability and the efficient use of wind turbines, particularly in high-wind-penetration areas. This study proposes a combined approach utilizing an ultra-capacitor energy storage system and fuzzy-control-based pitch angle adjustment to address these challenges. The fuzzy control system dynamically responds to wind speed variations, optimizing energy capture while minimizing mechanical stress on turbine components, and the ultra-capacitor provides instantaneous buffering of power surpluses and deficits. Simulations conducted on a 50 kW DFIG wind turbine powering a 23 kW load demonstrated a substantial reduction in power fluctuations by a factor of 3.747, decreasing the power fluctuation reduction scale from 13.04% to 3.48%. These results highlight the effectiveness of the proposed system in improving the stability, reliability, and quality of wind energy, thereby advancing the broader adoption of renewable energy and contributing to sustainable energy solutions. Full article

The increasing demand for cost-effective floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) necessitates streamlined mass production and efficient assembly strategies. This research investigates the assembly and integration of 15 MW FOWT floaters, utilising a semi-submersible floater equipped with a 15 MW wind turbine. The infrastructure and existing port facilities of Taiwan are used as an example. The effectiveness of various assembly and integration strategies has been evaluated. The study outlines equipment and infrastructure requirements for on-quay floater and turbine assembly, comparing on-quay assembly to construction at remote locations and subsequent towing. Detailed analyses of port operations, crane specifications, and assembly procedures are presented, emphasising the critical role of crane selection and configuration. The findings indicate that on-quay assembly at one major port is feasible and cost-effective, provided that port infrastructure and operational logistics are optimised. This research offers insights and recommendations for implementing large-scale FOWT projects, contributing to advancing offshore wind energy deployment. Full article

Wind speed (and direction) estimated from numerical weather prediction (NWP) models is essential to wind energy applications, especially in the absence of reliable fine scale spatio-temporal wind information. This study evaluates four high-resolution wind speed numerical datasets (UERRA MESCAN-SURFEX, CERRA, COSMO-REA6, and NEWA) against in situ observations from coastal meteorological stations in the eastern Mediterranean basin. The evaluation is based on statistical comparisons of long-term wind speed data from 2009 to 2018 and involves an in-depth statistical comparison as well as a preliminary wind power density assessment at or near the meteorological station locations. The results show that while all datasets provide valuable insights into regional wind variability, there are notable differences in model performance. COSMO-REA6 and UERRA exhibit higher variability in wind speed but tend to underestimate extreme values, particularly in the southern coastal areas, whereas CERRA and NEWA provided closer fits to observed wind speeds, with CERRA showing the highest correlation at most stations. NEWA data, where available, overestimate average wind speeds but capture extreme values well. The comparison reveals that while all datasets provide valuable insights into the spatial and temporal variability of wind resources, their performance varies by location and season, emphasizing the need for the careful selection and potential calibration of these models for accurate wind energy assessments. The study provides essential groundwork for leveraging these datasets in planning and optimizing offshore wind energy projects, contributing to the region’s transition to renewable energy sources. Full article

Wind energy is an important renewable energy source. Rotor main bearings are critical components of wind turbines since a faulty main bearing leads to downtime and high repair costs. Operational expenditures amount to 32% of wind energy costs. The use of plain bearings as main bearings can potentially reduce these costs. Plain bearings with segmented sliding elements can be repaired up-tower without dismantling the drivetrain, as damaged segments can be exchanged individually. One such segmented plain bearing design is the conical plain bearing design called FlexPad. For the FlexPad, proof of concept was achieved for the 1 MW range during previous studies. Modern wind turbines—especially for offshore deployment—have increased in size significantly compared with their predecessors. The goal of current studies is to transfer the FlexPad design towards a main bearing unit at a market relevant scale of 8.5 MW. In this work, the identified scaling challenges are presented. A FlexPad model scaled to the 8.5 MW range is presented to illustrate the challenges. The bearing load components, such as radial forces and torque, increase on different scales with increasing rotor size leading to changed load characteristics with increasing size. Increased rotor weight and bearing diameters result in an increase in the breakaway torque required to start turbine rotation. This breakaway torque can exceed the torque generated by the turbine at starting wind speeds. The generally increased loads necessitate stiffer sliding segments leading to the increased weight of the segments, which hampers the ability to easily exchange segments. Full article

Liquid fossil fuel is anticipated to run out by the mid-2060s. The destruction of land, water, and air due to fossil fuel use contributes to environmental degradation. Policymakers, scientists, and researchers are looking into power generation from renewable sources, such as wind and solar energy, because of the threat of climate change owing to global warming brought on by greenhouse gas emissions. Although there have been substantial advancements in the use of large-scale wind turbines for power generation, small-scale wind turbines, which have the potential for solo power generation, have not received wider acceptance yet due to their lower-than-expected power generation performance. This study’s main goal is to analyse the limitations of harnessing wind energy by small-scale wind turbines for power generation in built-up areas for residential and commercial uses. The study focuses on the difficulties and potential of generating electric power from small wind turbines in urban settings. The state of wind characteristics in built-up areas, economic viability, aerodynamic limitations, and governmental regulations for small-scale wind turbines are also discussed. Full article

The simulation of stochastic wind loads is necessary for many applications in wind engineering. The proper-orthogonal-decomposition-(POD)-based spectral representation method is a popular approach used for this purpose, due to its computational efficiency. For general wind directions and building configurations, the data-informed POD-based stochastic model is an alternative that uses wind-tunnel-smoothed auto- and cross-spectral density as input, to calibrate the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the target load process. Even though this method is straightforward and presents advantages, compared to using empirical target auto- and cross-spectral density, the limitations and errors associated with this model have not been investigated. To this end, an extensive experimental study on a rectangular building model considering multiple wind directions and configurations was conducted, to allow the quantification of uncertainty related to the use of short-duration wind tunnel records for calibration and validation of the data-informed POD-based stochastic model. The results demonstrate that the data-informed model can efficiently simulate stochastic wind loads with negligible model errors, while the errors associated with calibration to short-duration wind tunnel data can be important. Full article