Urban Wind Turbines: a Feasibility Study
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Urban Wind Turbines: A Feasibility Study by Ben R. Dymock 2719351 [email protected] Urban Wind Turbines: A Feasibility Study Abstract There is an existing body of research into noise, vibration and wind regime concerns associated with urban wind turbines demonstrating the detrimental effects of these topics on the energy yield potential and therefore financial worth of an installation. Much of the research has focused on wind regime assessment and optimum roof top placement via CFD modeling offering generalised guidelines showing a potential for wind power to contribute towards lowering London's CO2 emissions. Unfortunately, without benefiting from appropriate planning assessment, a number of early urban turbines failed and have risked irreversibly tarnishing the concept. Hitherto no studies have been specifically conducted on the urban potential of building integrated wind turbines. As integration is bespoke, typically determined by the architecture, it is unknown whether existing guidelines for roof mounted wind turbines could be directly applied. It is probable that each installation would merit its own assessment and analysis procedure. This study aims to investigate the differences between roof mounted and building integrated turbines in terms of assessment, operation and urban potential. In response to these differences it is intended to demonstrate how a successful installation can be achieved. Comparisons between two urban sites, one smaller, roof mounted HAWT and one larger, building integrated HAWT have been made via noise, vibration, CFD and atmospheric data recorded and analysed over two years to build a comprehensive understanding of the inherent urban issues. The prospect of successfully situating an urban turbine is complex in nature and considering the high installation costs and high level of design and engineering required to do so it is imperative that their energy yield provide a satisfactory return on investment and efficient supply of power without adversely impacting upon the surrounding environment or themselves. This study concludes that a multifaceted approach is necessary to achieve an efficient building integrated turbine, comprised of: (i) accurate local noise surveys to establish the local acoustic environment to inform acceptable turbine operating ranges, (ii) specific noise modeling of manufacturer provided data or, where none is available, acoustic testing of the proposed turbine across all applicable wind speed ranges, (iii) comprehensive vibration assessment, not only of the turbine tower/system but also of the turbine housing and any lower residential floors to ensure no natural frequencies will be excited and to prevent any vibration transmission via appropriate mounting, isolation or damping where necessary, (iv) the acquirement of site specific wind data to inform architectural design, turbine selection and placement. If monitoring at hub height is not possible it has been found that it may be acceptable to monitor in close proximity and then extrapolate the results using CFD analysis and wind profile methods, (v) CFD modeling of the surrounding topography, the turbine mount and/or enclosure. These areas are discussed with potential areas of noise and vibration control and turbine optimisation, specific to the case studies, investigated. Further to the aforementioned study an investigation into a new method of assessing noise and vibration levels associated with average anemometry recorded wind speeds has been presented so as to attain average levels per wind speed bin without being skewed by impulsive gusts. II Urban Wind Turbines: A Feasibility Study Acknowledgments I would like to express my appreciation to the backers of my research: Brookfield Multiplex and the EPSRC. I would like to thank my lead supervisor Dr Stephen Dance for the direction, support and coffee that helped me through countless hours of data collation. I would also like to thank my two external supervisors: Professor Bridget Shield and Dr Tony Day for your advice and input. I would like to thank Dr. Magliano and her team at the Stoke Mandeville Rheumatology department. A special thanks to my mum, dad and family for supporting and encouraging me always, to NMC and close friends for much needed distractions and a huge thank you to my wife, Nicola, and son, Joe for your support. III Urban Wind Turbines: A Feasibility Study Declaration This thesis is submitted to London South Bank University in support of my application for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. I, Ben Dymock, declare that the work, research and results presented within this thesis are my own having been generated by myself as a result of my own original investigation and research and has not been submitted in any previous application for any degree at any institution. Ben Dymock IV Urban Wind Turbines: A Feasibility Study Resources Nomenclature Technologies, software and prediction models were utilised within this study as described below. Software Meteodyne Urbawind is a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) prediction software to simulate and predict wind flow within a user defined environment. 3D representations of turbulence, wind direction and mean wind speeds can be simulated and graphically visualised around urban topography. Datakustik CadnaA (Computer aided noise abatement Acoustics) is an environmental noise prediction software used to simulate and calculate sound propagation within a user defined environment. 3D representations of cities can be modelled and evaluated in accordance with national standards and regulations. A particularly useful calculation feature of CadnaA is a building evaluation technique whereby instead of evaluating noise levels at single receiver positions an entire structure can be evaluated displaying noise levels at interval points around the external facades of the structure. This structure can then be assigned a specific land use property, residential or industrial etc. CadnaA will then display summed noise levels at these points and informs the user of which levels within the structure infringe upon the relevant standards for the specified area of use. Trimble SketchUp is a 3D modelling software package, similar to AutoCAD in ability to produce architectural, engineering or environmental models, which can be exported into CadnaA and Urbawind to model the surrounding turbine areas in the Southwark and Elephant and Castle area. Probability distribution models Probability distribution models are utilised to predict wind speed frequencies over an observed wind speed range using recorded average wind speed data. This is then used to determine the theoretical power available in the predicted wind regime. Two distribution models (Weibull and Rayleigh) are used in weather forecasting due to their shapes most naturally matching natural trends. The Weibull distribution has two, shape (k) and scale (c), parameters. The Rayleigh distribution has a shape parameter of k = 2. The Modified Maximum Likelihood Method estimates the two Weibull parameters and is proven, via experimentation, by Seguro and Lambert (2000) and Parcell (2007) as a better fit when applied to wind speed distribution data. Hardware The following sound and vibration level meters are utilised throughout the monitoring conducted within this thesis Svantek SV958: Is a class 1, 4 channel sound and vibration level meter allowing for 3-axis (X, Y & Z) vibration and 1/3rd octave noise data to be recorded simultaneously. Svantek SV106: A 6 channel human vibration meter allowing for 2 sets of 1/3rd octave X,Y & Z axis vibration data to be recorded simultaneously. Norsonic 140: A class 1 sound level meter to record 1/3rd octave environmental noise levels. V Urban Wind Turbines: A Feasibility Study Contents Urban Wind Turbines: A Feasibility Study ........................................................................................ 1 Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................ 3 Declaration ............................................................................................................................................ 4 Resources Nomenclature ................................................................................................................... 5 Software ............................................................................................................................................. 5 Probability distribution models ....................................................................................................... 5 Hardware ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1 Introductory Overview ...................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 2 Literature Review............................................................................................................ 13 2.1 Historical design, testing & implementation of wind turbines ...................................... 13 2.1 London Guidance Policy ................................................................................................... 15 2.2 Noise ...................................................................................................................................