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Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology

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A special issue of Wind (ISSN 2674-032X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 43440

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Prof. Dr. Zhe Chen

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Guest Editor

Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalbog, Denmark
Interests: wind energy; power electronics applications in renewable energy power generations; modern power systems; integrated energy systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wind power, a promising renewable energy technology, has been rapidly developed in recent years. It is becoming a competitive energy technology as the installation capacity continues to increase and the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) is reducing. Wind power is expected to play an important role in future sustainable and decarbonized energy systems. However, in order to facilitate wind power replacing the present fossil-fuel-based energy technology, further innovation efforts will be required to improve the efficiency and reliability of wind turbines; to enhance the controllability and dispatch ability of wind power plants in the power grid; and to increase the economic performance and utilization of wind energy in overall energy systems. These efforts will cover a wide range of subject areas, including various engineering disciplines, energy market, economics and policies, as well as social and environmental aspects.

Here, we intend to produce a Special Issue, entitled “Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology”, to discuss the present technical challenges and promising solutions for the further development of wind energy.

The Special Issue will publish the new contributions in wind-energy-related areas of engineering, environmental science, economic analysis, and policy impacts. The main readers will include those in academia, research institutions, industrial sectors, and policy makers.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

Forecast of wind and wind power;
Wind turbine technologies, including turbine rotors, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems, and relevant aspects;
Wind turbine operation and control;
Wind power plant and grid integration;
Offshore wind power;
Wind energy utilization in energy and other systems, such as Wind Power-X;
Wind power in the energy market and economics;
Condition monitoring, maintenance, and reliability of wind power systems;
Environmental and socio-economic aspects of wind power technology.

Prof. Dr. Zhe Chen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Wind is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

wind forecast
wind turbine
wind power plant
offshore wind power
power grid
condition monitoring
energy systems
energy market
wind energy utilization

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

3 pages, 176 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology

by Zhe Chen

Wind 2023, 3(4), 545-547; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3040030 - 14 Nov 2023

Viewed by 4365

Abstract

Wind power, as a vital renewable power source, has undergone rapid developments in recent years [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

17 pages, 2731 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wind Power Forecasting in a Semi-Arid Region Based on Machine Learning Error Correction

by Mirella Lima Saraiva Araujo, Yasmin Kaore Lago Kitagawa, Arthur Lúcide Cotta Weyll, Francisco José Lopes de Lima, Thalyta Soares dos Santos, William Duarte Jacondino, Allan Rodrigues Silva, Márcio de Carvalho Filho, Willian Ramires Pires Bezerra, José Bione de Melo Filho, Alex Álisson Bandeira Santos, Diogo Nunes da Silva Ramos and Davidson Martins Moreira

Wind 2023, 3(4), 496-512; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3040028 - 31 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2340

Abstract

Wind power forecasting is pivotal in promoting a stable and sustainable grid operation by estimating future power outputs from past meteorological and turbine data. The inherent unpredictability in wind patterns poses substantial challenges in synchronizing supply with demand, with inaccuracies potentially destabilizing the grid and potentially causing energy shortages or excesses. This study develops a data-driven approach to forecast wind power from 30 min to 12 h ahead using historical wind power data collected by the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system from one wind turbine, the Enercon/E92 2350 kW model, installed at Casa Nova, Bahia, Brazil. Those data were measured from January 2020 to April 2021. Time orientation was embedded using sine/cosine or cyclic encoding, deriving 16 normalized features that encapsulate crucial daily and seasonal trends. The research explores two distinct strategies: error prediction and error correction, both employing a sequential model where initial forecasts via k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) are rectified by the Extra Trees Regressor. Their primary divergence is the second model’s target variable. Evaluations revealed both strategies outperforming the standalone KNN, with error correction excelling in short-term predictions and error prediction showing potential for extended forecasts. This exploration underscores the imperative importance of methodology selection in wind power forecasting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology)

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14 pages, 2079 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Intelligent Method for Fault Location Estimation in HVDC Cable Systems Connected to Offshore Wind Farms

by Seyed Hassan Ashrafi Niaki, Jalal Sahebkar Farkhani, Zhe Chen, Birgitte Bak-Jensen and Shuju Hu

Wind 2023, 3(3), 361-374; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3030021 - 31 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1939

Abstract

Large and remote offshore wind farms (OWFs) usually use voltage source converter (VSC) systems to transmit electrical power to the main network. Submarine high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables are commonly used as transmission links. As they are liable to insulation breakdown, fault location in the HVDC cables is a major issue in these systems. Exact fault location can significantly reduce the high cost of submarine HVDC cable repair in multi-terminal networks. In this paper, a novel method is presented to find the exact location of the DC faults. The fault location is calculated using extraction of new features from voltage signals of cables’ sheaths and a trained artificial neural network (ANN). The results obtained from a simulation of a three-terminal HVDC system in power systems computer-aided design (PSCAD) environment show that the maximum percentage error of the proposed method is less than 1%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology)

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21 pages, 5200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Converter Applied to a Wind Energy Conversion System with Open-End Winding

by Samuel dos Santos Bettoni, Herbert de Oliveira Ramos, Frederico F. Matos and Victor Flores Mendes

Wind 2023, 3(2), 232-252; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3020014 - 9 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2143

Abstract

With the growing expansion of renewable sources around the world, wind energy is among those that stand out. With the advances of technology, wind turbine projects have considerably increased their power, reaching higher power, mainly for offshore installations. One of the main challenges is the power converters, more specifically the semiconductor components, which have limited voltage and current capabilities. Thus, the concept of multilevel converters emerged, increasing the voltage levels and thus carrying higher power levels. In addition to the application of multilevel converters, it is possible to increase the voltage and power levels employing an open-end winding (OEW) connection to the generator. In this context, the present work investigated the application of a multilevel converter (three-level cascaded H-bridge back-to-back) driving a squirrel-cage induction machine in an open-end winding configuration, connected to a wind energy conversion system (WECS). The analysis of the proposed system was developed through dynamic simulation of a 1.67 MW WECS, using PLECS software, including the modeling of the main system components: generator, power converters, system control, filter, and grid connection. The results show that the objective of obtaining a 5-level behavior in the output voltage is achieved by using the OEW connection. Furthermore, a low harmonic content is achieved in the machine current as in the current injected into the grid. In addition, it is possible to verify the power distribution between the converters, demonstrating that converters with smaller power can be combined to reach higher WECS power. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology)

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19 pages, 11286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Ice Formation on Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Performance and Aerodynamics

by Sean Gerrie, Sheikh Zahidul Islam, Cameron Gerrie, Ghazi Droubi and Taimoor Asim

Wind 2023, 3(1), 16-34; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind3010003 - 27 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2829

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of ice formation on the performance and aerodynamics of a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). This is an area that is becoming more prevalent as VAWTs are installed alongside horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) in high altitude areas with cold and wet climates where ice is likely to form. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed on a VAWT without icing in Ansys to understand its performance before introducing ice shapes obtained through the LewInt ice accretion software and repeating simulations in Ansys. These simulations were verified by performing a wind tunnel experiment on a scale VAWT model with and without 3D printed ice shapes attached to the blades. The clean blade simulations found that wind speed had little impact on the performance, while reducing the blade scale severely reduced performance. The ice formation simulations found that increasing the icing time or liquid water content (LWC) led to increased ice thickness. Additionally, glaze ice and rime ice conditions were investigated, and it was found that rime ice conditions that occur in lower temperatures caused more ice to form. The simulations with the attached ice shapes found a maximum reduction in performance of 40%, and the experiments found that the ice shapes made the VAWT unable to produce power. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology)

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18 pages, 5725 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Virtual Testing Workflows Based on the Function-Oriented System Architecture in SysML: A Case Study in Wind Turbine Systems

by Yizhe Zhang, Julian Roeder, Georg Jacobs, Joerg Berroth and Gregor Hoepfner

Wind 2022, 2(3), 599-616; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind2030032 - 13 Sep 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3249

Abstract

Wind turbines (WT) are complex multidisciplinary systems containing a large number of mechanical, control, and electrical components. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) provides an approach for cross-discipline development to address the system complexity and focuses on creating and utilizing domain models as the primary means of information exchange. The domain models predict system behaviors and can support system validation through virtual testing at an early stage of system development. However, the further the WT development proceeds, the more system parameters are set, and the more domain models and virtual tests are involved. Therefore, it is necessary to design a framework of virtual testing workflows of WTs to support virtual validation processes as well as to automate those workflows. To achieve this goal, this contribution shows how standardized virtual testing workflows can be designed and linked to hierarchical and functional system architectures modeled in the Systems Modeling Language (SysML). The virtual testing workflows enable to trigger simulations of domain models and handle system parameters participating in the simulations, thus ensuring data consistency. Furthermore, to facilitate modular management and reuse of domain models, the domain models are classified according to model purposes, model fidelities, and system scopes. The virtual testing workflows are structured corresponding to the classification of the domain model, thereby forming a nested framework. To verify the feasibility of the proposed workflows, a virtual testing process of WT components (i.e., bearings) inside the system context with different model purposes and different model fidelities is demonstrated. It is shown that virtual testing workflows are systematically organized so that engineers can easily virtually (re-)validate the systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology)

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13 pages, 1383 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Power Curtailment Analysis of DC Series–Parallel Offshore Wind Farms

by Padmavathi Lakshmanan

Wind 2022, 2(3), 466-478; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind2030025 - 28 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2124

Abstract

This paper analyzes one of the most important power capture challenges of the DC series–parallel collection system, called the power curtailment losses. The wind speed difference between the series-connected turbines causes over- and under-voltage conditions in the output voltage of the MVDC (medium-voltage DC) converters of the wind turbine. The power curtailment losses caused by the upper-voltage tolerance levels of the MVDC converters of the wind turbines are analyzed considering a redundancy-based upper-voltage limiting condition. This analysis emphasizes the importance of choosing suitable voltage tolerance levels for the MVDC converters of wind turbines based on the wind farm configuration. The annual energy curtailment losses are quantified and evaluated by a comparative case study performed on a DC series–parallel-connected wind farm rated at 200 MW with the redundancy-based upper-voltage limiting condition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology)

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37 pages, 13718 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multifactorial Analysis to Determine the Applicability of Wind Power Technologies in Favorable Areas of the Colombian Territory

by Andrés Rodriguez-Caviedes and Isabel C. Gil-García

Wind 2022, 2(2), 357-393; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind2020020 - 1 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3268

Abstract

Colombia has an energy matrix that is mostly hydroelectric and includes renewable energies such as wind power, which represents a minor contribution. The only operational wind farm is in the northern part of the country, where more projects will be implemented in the future in search of increasing the installed capacity and electricity generation. However, the wind potential and behavior of other areas of the national territory have been little reviewed. The most recommended method to characterize the potential in different areas of Colombia is to use real data, generating vertical extrapolations and respecting the good practices of the wind industry. The foregoing not only allows the generation of statistical and descriptive characterizations but also, together with the climatological, geographical, and technological variables (turbines), an estimate of the generable energy that can be obtained. In the described study, we applied specialized software to generate a rating matrix, from which it was possible to issue an opinion on five possible locations obtained from the theoretical development of micrositing, where 14 factors were reviewed. There is no published research of this nature for the country, so it is relevant in terms of novelty. Finally, it can be concluded that in Colombia, the wind potential should not be associated with a specific region, since there are data throughout the territory where this type of research can be replicated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology)

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20 pages, 5491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Power to Hydrogen and Power to Water Using Wind Energy

by Maria Margarita Bertsiou and Evangelos Baltas

Wind 2022, 2(2), 305-324; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind2020017 - 13 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3203

Abstract

The need for energy and water security on islands has led to an increase in the use of wind power. However, the intermittent nature of wind generation means it needs to be coupled with a storage system. Motivated by this, two different models of surplus energy storage systems are investigated in this paper. In both models, renewable wind energy is provided by a wind farm. In the first model, a pumped hydro storage system (PHS) is used for surplus energy storage, while in the second scenario, a hybrid pumped hydrogen storage system (HPHS) is applied, consisting of a PHS and a hydrogen storage system. The goal of this study is to compare the single and the hybrid storage system to fulfill the energy requirements of the island’s electricity load and desalination demands for domestic and irrigation water. The cost of energy (COE) is 0.287 EUR/kWh for PHS and 0.360 EUR/kWh for HPHS, while the loss of load probability (LOLP) is 22.65% for PHS and 19.47% for HPHS. Sensitivity analysis shows that wind speed is the key parameter that most affects COE, cost of water (COW) and LOLP indices, while temperature affects the results the least. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology)

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Review

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22 pages, 2557 KiB

Open AccessReview

Non-Conventional, Non-Permanent Magnet Wind Generator Candidates

by David Udosen, Kundanji Kalengo, Udochukwu B. Akuru, Olawale Popoola and Josiah L. Munda

Wind 2022, 2(3), 429-450; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind2030023 - 24 Jun 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4295

Abstract

Global industrialization, population explosion and the advent of a technology-enabled society have placed dire constraints on energy resources. Furthermore, evident climatic concerns have placed boundaries on deployable energy options, compounding an already regrettable situation. It becomes apparent for modern renewable energy technologies, including wind generators, to possess qualities of robustness, high efficiency, and cost effectiveness. To this end, direct-drive permanent magnet (PM) wind generators, which eliminate the need for gearboxes and improve wind turbine drivetrain reliability, are trending. Though rare-earth PM-based wind generators possess the highly sought qualities of high-power density and high efficiency for direct-drive wind systems, the limited supply chain and expensive pricing of the vital raw materials, as well as existent demagnetization risks, make them unsustainable. This paper is used to provide an overview on alternative and viable non-conventional wind generators based on the so-called non-PM (wound-field) stator-mounted flux modulation machines, with prospects for competing with PM machine variants currently being used in the niche direct-drive wind power generation industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology)

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18 pages, 1033 KiB

Open AccessReview

Onshore Wind Power Generation and Sustainability Challenges in Northeast Brazil: A Quick Scoping Review

by Valdenildo Pedro da Silva and Maria Luiza de Medeiros Galvão

Wind 2022, 2(2), 192-209; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind2020011 - 28 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3266

Abstract

Onshore wind energy has been one of the most promising new renewable energy sources in the Northeast region of Brazil. This technology has generated long-term energy without serious socio-environmental impacts for some and, therefore, has been considered clean, renewable, and sustainable. However, given its spatial complexity, water scarcity, and social poverty of indigenous populations, the development of wind energy in vulnerable areas of this region raises socio-ecological concerns. Hence, studies of sustainability challenges are essential. The aim of this article is to systematically review the main multidimensional sustainability challenges of studies on onshore wind power generation, resulting in a quick scoping review of the literature. The study highlighted the promise of onshore wind generation in the current period of climatic and socio-ecological crises, but also highlighted some resulting socio-ecological problems, such as: deforestation for the construction of wind farms, expropriation of subsistence arable land, generation of turbine noise, insignificant employment, maintenance of inequalities, rural–city migration, extinction of cultural traditions, and food insecurity. This review offers an overview of wind energy generation, aiming to inform society and decision makers about the nature of challenges that lead to unsustainability arising from wind energy technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology)

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Other

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22 pages, 10941 KiB

Open AccessProject Report

Implantation, Operation Data and Performance Assessment of An Urban Area Grid-Connected Small Wind Turbine

by Welson Bassi, Alcantaro Lemes Rodrigues and Ildo Luis Sauer

Wind 2022, 2(4), 711-732; https://doi.org/10.3390/wind2040037 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7025

Abstract

Over the last few decades, and more prominently currently, many countries have launched and reinforced campaigns to reduce CO₂ emissions from all human activities and, in the area of energy, promote energy generating technologies from low carbon, renewable sources, especially wind and solar. In recent years, this promotion of renewables can be seen in statistics as well as an extraordinary increase in plants using renewable sources. There is more activity surrounding the use of small devices installed close to consumers, such as small wind turbines (SWT). In cities, the best places to install SWT are tall buildings. The Institute of Energy and Environment (IEE-USP) has installed a 1.8 kW SWT on the University of São Paulo campus in São Paulo, Brazil. Even with low-magnitude winds at the site, the SWT installation was carried out to serve as a didactic apparatus and demonstration initiative of wind energy generation connected directly to the University’s electric grid, which already has other embedded renewable sources installed, namely photovoltaic and biogas plants. The turbine was placed on the roof of the existing High Voltage Laboratory building, leading to an operating height of 35 m. This paper presents previous local wind data measurements using a Lidar system, annual energy yield estimation calculations, and measurements, also bringing all implementation details. It reports and analyzes the operation and energy production data from three full operational years, from 2018 to 2020, discussing and concluding with further improvements of SWT from technical and economic aspects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Perspectives of Wind Energy Technology)

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