Wind Turbine Siting Optimization for Maintenance Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The siting of wind turbines currently disregards maintenance costs, despite them being a significant expense, and lacks visualization tools for optimal placement, which can lead to inefficient power output and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that determines the optimal geographical position for wind turbines by considering wind flow characteristics like velocity and turbulence intensity to minimize maintenance costs, while also providing a three-dimensional visualization tool for aesthetic and technical comprehension of wind turbine placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If wind turbine siting optimizes only for maximum power output, then power output is maximized, but maintenance costs increase due to unfavorable wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the optimization parameters from solely power output to a multi-parameter objective function that includes both power output and maintenance cost indicators. The system evaluates multiple candidate positions by computing power output based on wind flow characteristics and maintenance costs based on turbulence intensity and extreme wind events, then selects positions that optimize the combined objective function.
2Power
If detailed aerodynamic site optimization is performed, then power output is maximized, but computational resources and time are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary assessments of candidate positions using simplified models and wind flow characteristics before conducting detailed aerodynamic optimization. By pre-evaluating power output and maintenance cost indicators for multiple candidate positions, the system narrows down the search space, reducing the time required for detailed optimization while still achieving maximum power output.
3Reliability
If multiple candidate positions are evaluated with comprehensive wind flow analysis, then optimal placement is achieved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the evaluation process into distinct modules: wind flow characteristic determination, power output computation, maintenance cost computation, and objective function optimization. Each module handles a specific aspect of the analysis, allowing for independent computation and reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining comprehensive evaluation of multiple candidate positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for determining a site for a wind turbine within a confined geographical target region on the basis of an estimate of a maintenance parameter comprises determining a wind climate at the target region, the wind climate including e.g. average wind speed, pre-dominant wind directions, or turbulence intensities. A function expressing the maintenance parameter of the wind turbine as a function of the flow characteristics is defined, and the function is applied to the geographical position to compute an estimated value of the maintenance parameter at that position. Meteorological measurements may be used to obtain the flow characteristics. Wind measurements performed at one location may be numerically extrapolated by numerical methods, e.g. by CFD, to other locations. The maintenance parameter may be expressed as a maintenance risk, number of component replacements, or as a maintenance cost per energy unit. Three-dimensional visualization of wind turbines, e.g. in GoogleEarth™ is further provided by the invention.