OPTIWIND

Optimum Power Extraction of Wind Energy by Small to Medium Scale Wind Turbines

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Each member state in the EU-27 now has a legally binding 2020 target related to the share of renewable energy in their final energy consumption. The most commonly available renewable energy sources are hydro, biomass, PV, CSP, Wind, Geothermal & Wave power. Of these wind is increasingly becoming cost competitive and the cost of wind turbines are dropping as volumes increase. This proposal deals with distributed energy production by small to medium wind turbines in the 10kW-100kW range, used immediately close to the point of power production Wind energy conversion is a long standing process that has been employed for hundreds of years, but it is complicated and difficult to capture the maximum possible amount of power at any given point in time. The amount of power output from a WECS depends upon the accuracy with which the peak power points are tracked by the MPPT controller of the WECS control system regardless of the generator type. For any wind turbine the maximum point of the power curve occurs at a particular rotor speed for a given wind speed. Even a small variation from this rotor speed will cause a significant decrease in the power extracted from the wind. Rotor speed, for a given wind speed, is dependent upon generator loading as well as the fluctuation in the wind speed. Power extraction strategies assess the wind conditions and then introduce control actions to adjust the turbine’s rotational speed so that it will operate at the turbine’s highest aerodynamic efficiency. Conversion strategies that have not been optimised can lead to significant wasted wind energy. There have been many attempts to achieve maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms but these have not been successfully translated from academic studies to reliable working industrial implementations in our power range. The focus of this project is to produce an industrial solution that works reliably and can be employed without needing expert users.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Wind-powered electricity generation is still inefficient. An EU project will improve efficiency, and energy output, with a new algorithm for matching turbine speed to given wind conditions.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

EU-28 Member States are legally obliged to incorporate a percentage of renewable energy into their power consumption before 2020. Several options are available, of which wind power is the most cost effective in spite of persistent inefficiencies.

The EU-funded project 'Optimum power extraction of wind energy by small to medium scale wind turbines' (http://www.opti-wind.eu (OPTIWIND)) aimed to address wind energy conversion (WEC). WEC relates to the electrical power output from a given wind speed. The process depends on the accuracy with which peak power points are tracked by a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller. Such controllers assess wind conditions and adjust the turbine speed to convert the maximum wind energy to turbine rotation. Sub-optimal conversion results in wasted wind energy.

None of the many previously attempted MPPT algorithms have been successfully translated to reliable industrial operation. The seven-member OPTIWIND consortium aims to produce an effective solution and without needing expert users. The three-year project will conclude in January 2015.

To date, the project partners have coordinated to determine the best course of action. The discussion has yielded specifications, hardware standards, software and physical interface requirements, and a detailed study of algorithm types and capabilities.

The project should result in a practical MPPT algorithm that will translate to more energy-efficient and cost-effective wind turbines, meaning opportunities for business and greener power for Europe.