This task aims to bring forth innovative wind turbine concepts, analyze their performance and assess (using Task 1.2 tools) the impact at the WT design level in going beyond the Reference Wind Turbine. The following subtasks are considered:
Subtask 1.3.1.
Innovative turbine concepts. Innovative concepts to be considered include: a) turbine designs targeted at reduced tower top mass (such as lowered bedplate mass, two bladed downwind machines, lowered rated wind speeds), b) turbines (with innovative rotors – might be 2-bladed for transportation and installation) that generate torque at the lowest mechanical loads possible for wind farm operation, c) Multi-bladed rotors with structural bracing, ability to include more than 3 blades with cross-braces or rims. d) multi-rotors on a common support structure, study for their feasibility focusing on the interaction effects and coordinated control of for minimizing support structure loads (including floater motions). This will call for a significant alteration of design tools being used in the wind energy research community today, such as the methods used for loads prediction, structural mechanics and analysis of reliability. Thus to assess the competence of these system level innovations, it will be required to develop design tools that are capable of analyzing these different concepts.
Subtask 1.3.2.
Supportive methodologies. Two methodologies will be also developed to facilitate the assessment at the wind turbine system level, a) methodology for support structure design assessment and WT integration (in close cooperation with WP 4, a preliminary design process based on parameterized support structure models will be implemented) and b) a methodology and tool for integrated system reliability analysis of mechanical, electrical and structural components for innovative wind turbine systems. The reliability of new innovations in WP 2-4 will be assessed and combined with the associated costs to assess the expected CoE. Risk- & reliability-based techniques for minimizing the life-cycle cost-of-energy will be applied to for optimal planning of O&M for the innovative support structures developed in WP4.