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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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DOE OSTI2016

Distributed Wind Resource Assessment: State of the Industry

In support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Wind and Water Power Technologies Office (WWPTO) goals, researchers from DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) are investigating the Distributed Wind Resource Assessment (DWRA) process, which includes pre-construction energy estimation as well as turbine site suitability assessment. DWRA can have a direct impact on the Wind Program goals of maximizing stakeholder confidence in turbine performance and safety as well as reducing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE). One of the major components of the LCOE equation is annual energy production. DWRA improvements can maximize the annual energy production, thereby lowering the overall LCOE and improving stakeholder confidence in the distributed wind technology sector by providing more accurate predictions of power production. Over the long term, one of the most significant benefits of a more defined DWRA process could be new turbine designs, tuned to site-specific characteristics that will help the distributed wind industry follow a similar trajectory to the low-wind-speed designs in the utility-scale industry sector. By understanding the wind resource better, the industry could install larger rotors, capture more energy, and as a result, increase deployment while lowering the LCOE. a direct impact on the Wind Program goals of maximizing stakeholder confidence in turbine performance and safety as well as reducing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE). One of the major components of the LCOE equation is annual energy production. DWRA improvements can maximize the annual energy production, thereby lowering the overall LCOE and improving stakeholder confidence in the distributed wind technology sector by providing more accurate predictions of power production. Over the long term, one of the most significant benefits of a more defined DWRA process could be new turbine designs, tuned to site-specific characteristics that will help the distributed wind industry follow a similar trajectory to the low-wind-speed designs in the utility-scale industry sector. By understanding the wind resource better, the industry could install larger rotors, capture more energy, and as a result, increase deployment while lowering the LCOE.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

An Integrated Approach To Offshore Wind Energy Assessment: Great Lakes 3D Wind Experiment

This grant supported fundamental research into the characterization of flow parameters of relevance to the wind energy industry focused on offshore and the coastal zone. A major focus of the project was application of the latest generation of remote sensing instrumentation and also integration of measurements and numerical modeling to optimize characterization of time-evolving atmospheric flow parameters in 3-D. Our research developed a new data-constrained Wind Atlas for the Great Lakes, and developed new insights into flow parameters in heterogeneous environments. Four experiments were conducted during the project: At a large operating onshore wind farm in May 2012; At the National Renewable Energy Laboratory National Wind Technology Center (NREL NWTC) during February 2013; At the shoreline of Lake Erie in May 2013; and At the Wind Energy Institute of Canada on Prince Edward Island in May 2015. The experiment we conducted in the coastal zone of Lake Erie indicated very complex flow fields and the frequent presence of upward momentum fluxes and resulting distortion of the wind speed profile at turbine relevant heights due to swells in the Great Lakes. Additionally, our data (and modeling) indicate the frequent presence of low level jets at 600 m height over the Lake and occasions when the wind speed profile across the rotor plane may be impacted by this phenomenon. Experimental data and modeling of the fourth experiment on Prince Edward Island showed that at 10-14 m escarpment adjacent to long-overseas fetch the zone of wind speed decrease before the terrain feature and the increase at (and slightly downwind of) the escarpment is ~3–5% at turbine hub-heights. Additionally, our measurements were used to improve methods to compute the uncertainty in lidar-derived flow properties and to optimize lidar-scanning strategies. For example, on the basis of the experimental data we collected plus those from one of our research partners we advanced a new methodology to estimate a priori the uncertainty in wind speed retrievals from arc scans based on site characteristics such as wind velocity, turbulence intensity and proposed scan geometry. Insights regarding use of remote sensing technologies deriving from project experiments were used to compile a best practice document http://doi.org/10.7298/X4QV3JGF for measuring wind speeds and turbulence offshore through in-situ and remote sensing technologies. A project-specific web-site was developed and is available at: http://www.geo.cornell.edu/eas/PeoplePlaces/Faculty/spryor/DoE_AIATOWEA/index.html

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Phase 1 Integrated Systems Test and Characterization Report for the 5-Megawatt Dynamometer and Controllable Grid Interface

This report details the commissioning of the 5-MW dynamometer and Controllable Grid Interface (CGI) at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The purpose of these characterization tests was to verify the dynamometers performance over the widest possible range of operating conditions, verify interconnection with and fault generation capability of the CGI, gain insight into system-level behavior, and establish confidence in measurement data.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Static Proof Load Testing of the Sandia SWiFT 13m Blades

Pre-flown Vestas V-27 wind turbine blades will be used at the new Sandia SWiFT test facility near Lubbock,Texas. Proof load testing the blades in the flapwise direction was needed to verify the blades are still fit for service after 20 years offield operation. Testing was conducted in Building 252(A60)at the NWTC near Boulder,Colorado, between Oct 28(arrival of blades)to Dec 4,2015(completion of testing), under NREL subtasks WE141A50 and WE161A50. Single-point, quasi-static loads were applied to the blade at three independent load stations of 5.92 m, 8.69 m, and 11.62 m, using the facility gantry crane to apply the test load in the positive flapwise direction (low pressure surface in compression). Following the flapwise load cases, a single point load was applied at the 8.69 m station in the negative edgewise direction (leading edge in compression). No damage was observed due to the introduction of the proof loads. Several small pops were heard during testing on each blade, primarily during loading at the 8.69 m station. Compliance (deflection per load) varied less than 7% between all blades for all load cases. Table 3-1 summarizes the applied loads, deflections, and compliance for each blade for the flapwise test cases. Applied test loads are the raw load cell reading minus the total tare load (combined tare load of saddle and tare load for blade self weight). Deflection here is average deflection from both LE and TE string pot data.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Test of a Novel, Commercial-Scale Wave Energy Direct-Drive Rotary Power Take-Off at the NREL National Wind Technology Center (CRADA CRD-14-571 Final Report)

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will work with Columbia Power Technologies [C-Power] to support work under US DOE DE-EE-0006399, “Build and Test of a Novel, Commercial-Scale Wave Energy Direct-Drive Rotary Power Take-Off Under Realistic Open-Ocean Conditions.” Work will include a review of their design for a novel wave energy direct drive generator. After review, the system will be prototyped and tested in the NREL National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) 5MW dynamometer and data will be recorded and analyzed. Conclusions from data analysis will be used to improve the design prior to completing a version of the system for ocean deployment. Additionally, NREL will work with Columbia Power Technologies [C-Power] to quantify the system levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and analyze the system in agreement with US DOE System Performance Advancement (SPA) goals 1 and 2.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2020

Advanced Wind Turbine Drivetrain Topology for Improving System Reliability (CRADA CRD-10-400 Final Report)

Alstom Power has a desire to locate its latest entrance into the U.S. market at a location that truly tests the durability of the machine in a turbulent environment as well as verify the basic operating characteristics of the machine on a 60 Hz grid. The DOE/NREL National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) is well suited for this goal. The DOE/NREL Wind Program is working on improving drivetrain reliability through its Gearbox Reliability Collaborative (GRC). Alstom is also interested in performing research on their innovative drivetrain that is aligned with the objectives of the GRC. The tasks outlined in this Joint Work Statement are intended to accomplish these goals to the mutual satisfaction of both parties and the advancement of the understanding of wind turbine drivetrain behavior.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Heterogeneous System for Eagle Detection, Deterrent, and Wildlife Collision Detection for Wind Turbines (Final Technical Report)

This report summarizes the design, implementation, and test of an integrated system for automated detection and deterrence of eagles, with included wind turbine blade strike detection and imaging functionality. A machine learning approach was used in conjunction with a 360° camera system for automated detection and classification of golden eagles. This was developed using footage obtained from trained golden eagles and other raptors, in collaboration with wildlife biologists and professional bird handlers. Oregon State University developed a visual deterrent system, which uses inflatable anthropomorphic sculptures with random, kinetic motion to deter eagles, and conducted limited field testing on live eagles; the deterrent can be triggered by the visual detection of eagles using the vision system. Finally, a multi-sensor module was developed that is mounted at the turbine blade root. This module measures vibration and other motions to detect blade strikes, and an integrated on-blade camera captures an image of any impacting objects. Long-term, this blade strike detection system is intended to support an automatic monitoring and certification system for the eagle detection and deterent system. Independent field testing of each system component is described. Testing of the integrated system on an operational wind turbine was conducted across three separate field tests. This includes multi-day fields tests on a General Electric 1.5MW wind turbine at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) in Boulder, CO in October 2018 and July 2019; installation procedures, test procedures, and a summary of collected data are presented. A third multi-day on-turbine field test is also presented, which was performed using a General Electric 1.5MW wind turbine at the North American Wind Research and Training Center (NAWRTC) at Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari, NM in April 2019. Across these field tests, the vision system was demonstrated using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and the eagle classification algorithm was not tested; the visual deterrent system was demonstrated, including automatic, remote deployment following surrogate visual detections; and, multi-sensor on-blade data was recorded across multiple wind turbine operational conditions and through more than 100 surrogate blade strikes using soft projectiles, including the successful demonstration of automatic image capture of striking objects. This data set was also used for offline development and validation of enhanced collision detection algorithms. As summarized in this report, the development and field validation of an integrated detection, deterrent, and blade collision detection system represents a critical proof of concept for future technology development of related detection and deterrent technologies, where both deterrent as well as collision detection recording devices are needed for future siting, monitoring, and operation of wind turbine installations, both onshore and offshore.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Sunfolding NREL High Wind Test Site Project (Final Report)

Wind speeds at the NREL National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) vary dramatically from summer to winter. Wind speeds are low over the summer and high over the winter. The data collected from this site will allow validation of the survivability of the Sunfolding tracker under high wind events, increased understanding of the dynamic behavior of the Sunfolding tracker at different wind speeds.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Electrical Validation Testing for ORPC MHK Generator, Modification 6: ORPC SBV for MHK Generator System (CRADA Final Report)

For the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 2016 Small Business Voucher for Marine and Hydrokinetic (MHK) System, Second Round 2016, ORPC intends to work with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to perform dynamometer testing of the MHK generator systems and its associated controls and inverters. ORPC will provide the generator, variable frequency drives (VFD), controls, and inverter for this testing. NREL will utilize the NREL Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) and dynamometer facilities at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) for this work. Modification 6: Additionally, NREL will conduct a feasibility study for implementing passive DC rectification at the turbine.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Structural Design of a 1/5th Scale Gravo-Aeroelastically Scaled Wind Turbine Demonstrator Blade for Field Testing

This paper presents the structural design of a 21-meter 1/5th scale SUMR demonstrator (SUMR-D) blade, which was designed to replicate the full-scale behavior of a 104-meter SUMR13 initial blade rated at 13.2 MW. This is a challenging structural design as two competing objectives were required including the traditional safety objectives and novel scaling objectives based on gravo-aeroelastic scaling (GAS) requirements. To satisfy the two competing requirements, the spar cap, shear webs and materials were optimized while also ensuring a manufacturable and cost-effective design solution. Based on the wind turbine operating conditions of the test site, which is the NWTC, the blade was analyzed under the extreme loading case and corresponding safety factors were applied. The final blade model had an acceptable maximum strain, buckling performance, and displayed a safe level of deflection under the extreme loading condition. The flutter speed and fatigue life of the blade were also vetted. The mode shape was analyzed for the installation of the blade sensors. This paper documents the structural design process of SUMR-D to achieve both the safety and scaling objectives. At the end, we provide an acceptable solution to control blade mass, limiting the blade deflection, blade max strain and buckling under extreme loading condition by optimizing spar cap, shear web, and core materials while satisfying scaling requirements.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Wind turbine power production and annual energy production depend on atmospheric stability and turbulence

Using detailed upwind and nacelle-based measurements from a General Electric (GE) 1.5sle model with a 77 m rotor diameter, we calculate power curves and annual energy production (AEP) and explore their sensitivity to different atmospheric parameters to provide guidelines for the use of stability and turbulence filters in segregating power curves. The wind measurements upwind of the turbine include anemometers mounted on a 135 m meteorological tower as well as profiles from a lidar. We calculate power curves for different regimes based on turbulence parameters such as turbulence intensity (TI) as well as atmospheric stability parameters such as the bulk Richardson number ( R B ). We also calculate AEP with and without these atmospheric filters and highlight differences between the results of these calculations. The power curves for different TI regimes reveal that increased TI undermines power production at wind speeds near rated, but TI increases power production at lower wind speeds at this site, the US Department of Energy (DOE) National Wind Technology Center (NWTC). Similarly, power curves for different R B regimes reveal that periods of stable conditions produce more power at wind speeds near rated and periods of unstable conditions produce more power at lower wind speeds. AEP results suggest that calculations without filtering for these atmospheric regimes may overestimate the AEP. Because of statistically significant differences between power curves and AEP calculated with these turbulence and stability filters for this turbine at this site, we suggest implementing an additional step in analyzing power performance data to incorporate effects of atmospheric stability and turbulence across the rotor disk.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Wind-Wildlife Impacts Literature Database (WILD)(Fact Sheet)

The Wind-Wildlife Impacts Literature Database (WILD), developed and maintained by the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is comprised of over 1,000 citations pertaining to the effects of land-based wind, offshore wind, marine and hydrokinetic, power lines, and communication and television towers on wildlife.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Validation of Simplified Load Equations through Loads Measurement and Modeling of a Small Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine Tower; NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

As part of an ongoing effort to improve the modeling and prediction of small wind turbine dynamics, NREL tested a small horizontal axis wind turbine in the field at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC). The test turbine was a 2.1-kW downwind machine mounted on an 18-meter multi-section fiberglass composite tower. The tower was instrumented and monitored for approximately 6 months. The collected data were analyzed to assess the turbine and tower loads and further validate the simplified loads equations from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61400-2 design standards. Field-measured loads were also compared to the output of an aeroelastic model of the turbine. Ultimate loads at the tower base were assessed using both the simplified design equations and the aeroelastic model output. The simplified design equations in IEC 61400-2 do not accurately model fatigue loads. In this project, we compared fatigue loads as measured in the field, as predicted by the aeroelastic model, and as calculated using the simplified design equations.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Multi-Megawatt-Scale Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop Interface for Testing Ancillary Grid Services by Converter-Coupled Generation: Preprint

Power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) is a simulation tool that can support electrical systems engineers in the development and experimental validation of novel, advanced control schemes that ensure the robustness and resiliency of electrical grids that have high penetrations of low-inertia variable renewable resources. With PHIL, the impact of the device under test on a generation or distribution system can be analyzed using a real-time simulator (RTS). PHIL allows for the interconnection of the RTS with a 7 megavolt ampere (MVA) power amplifier to test multi-megawatt renewable assets available at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC). This paper addresses issues related to the development of a PHIL interface that allows testing hardware devices at actual scale. In particular, the novel PHIL interface algorithm and high-speed digital interface, which minimize the critical loop delay, are discussed.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Accomplishments and Performance Report: Wind Energy Program, Q3 Fiscal Year 2019

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Flatirons Campus stands at the forefront of energy innovation. Since the earliest days of the wind industry, the Flatirons Campus has provided an ideal environment for the research and development (R&D) of advanced energy technologies.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Accomplishments and Mid-Year Performance Report: Wind Energy Program Fiscal Year 2020

Through transformative science and innovation, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Flatirons Campus helps lead the way to a sustainable energy future that powers America with significant levels of reliable, low-cost, and accessible wind energy. Since 1976, NREL has provided an ideal environment for the research and development (R&D) of advanced energy technologies through: Wind energy resource assessments, World-class research facilities, High-performance computing and modeling, Data and technology analysis, Manufacturing breakthroughs, Environmental analysis and wildlife conservation efforts, Education and training programs for a future workforce. These activities enable the innovations needed to advance U.S. wind systems, address market and deployment barriers, and drive down the cost of wind energy with more efficient, more reliable, and more predictable wind energy systems. This report provides an overview of the achievements NREL delivered on behalf of DOE's Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) and other partners during the first and second quarters of Fiscal Year (FY) 2020.

49 EE - Wind and Water Power Program - Wind (EE-4W↗
DOE OSTI2023

Wind Energy Accomplishments and Year-End Performance Report: Fiscal Year 2022

Four decades ago, construction was just beginning on experimental turbines at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC). Today, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) facility is the centerpiece of the laboratory's Flatirons Campus, a world-class hub for renewable energy research. The nation's shift to 100% clean electricity by 2035 will require a mix of renewable energy sources and strategies - and together, wind and solar energy could account for 60% to 80% of that clean energy resource. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, NREL scientists, engineers, and analysts contributed to these visionary goals through their wind energy research. As wind innovations push into new areas, NREL continues to play a vital role in advancing technology and addressing deployment barriers in pursuit of more efficient, reliable, and predictable wind energy systems. FY 2022 wind research and development explored the potential for dramatic growth in land-based systems, the launch of the nation's first commercial-scale offshore installations, and transmission infrastructure buildout. Land-based wind energy is one of the most cost-effective electricity supply options - but utility-scale deployment will require up to 10 times the current number of turbines. An NREL plan addressed this need to accelerate U.S. wind technology rollout at distributed and utility scales. Another project conducted by NREL and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) helps position the nation's first major offshore wind corridor for success. The WETO-funded Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study is evaluating options for balancing electricity supply and demand, while supporting resilience of the grid and marine industries. WETO, NREL, and other partners are working to enable the enormous supply chain and workforce changes the U.S. wind energy industry will need to meet net-zero-carbon-emissions targets. As part of a seminal series of DOE-funded supply chain studies, NREL analysts reported on the trade-offs involved in manufacturing large volumes of wind technologies, while addressing cost, workforce, and logistics issues. All of this research is supported by NREL's outstanding research teams, tools, data, and facilities. A WETO-funded international wind energy field campaign, the American WAKE experimeNt (AWAKEN), has brought together experts from NREL, PNNL, and Sandia National Laboratories to create the world's most comprehensive set of high-resolution data on wind energy atmospheric phenomenon. This study could lead to more accurate predictions of losses from turbine-to-turbine wake interactions, eventually helping wind plants capture more energy and operators save millions of dollars. In addition, NREL researchers developed testing, modeling, and analysis tools to improve the security of power grids by identifying wind power plant dynamic stability problems. A new Stochastic Soaring Raptor Simulator (SSRS) protects golden eagles from turbine encounters by predicting flight paths. This report provides more detail on these top achievements and other accomplishments made by NREL and its partners during FY 2022 (between October 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022).

accomplishments↗
DOE OSTI2019

Analysis of blade fragment risk at a wind energy facility

An analysis was performed to determine the risk posed by wind turbine fragments on roads and buildings at the National Wind Technology Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The authors used a previously developed model of fragment trajectory and took into account the wind speed/direction distribution at the site and the probability of rotor failure. The site-specific risk was assessed by determining the likelihood of impact and related consequences. For both the roads and buildings, the risk varied from low to routine, which was considered acceptable.

17 WIND ENERGY↗