Review of Vibration Control Methods for Wind Turbines
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
energies Review Review of Vibration Control Methods for Wind Turbines Ali Awada 1,* , Rafic Younes 2 and Adrian Ilinca 1 1 Wind Energy Research Laboratory (WERL), University of Québec at Rimouski, Rimouski, QC G5L 3A1, Canada; [email protected] 2 Faculty of Engineering, Lebanese University, Beirut 6573/14, Lebanon; rafi[email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: The installation of wind energy increased in the last twenty years, as its cost decreased, and it contributes to reducing GHG emissions. A race toward gigantism characterizes wind turbine development, primarily driven by offshore projects. The larger wind turbines are facing higher loads, and the imperatives of mass reduction make them more flexible. Size increase of wind turbines results in higher structural vibrations that reduce the lifetime of the components (blades, main shaft, bearings, generator, gearbox, etc.) and might lead to failure or destruction. This paper aims to present in detail the problems associated with wind turbine vibration and a thorough literature review of the different mitigation solutions. We explore the advantages, drawbacks, and challenges of the existing vibration control systems for wind turbines. These systems belong to six main categories, according to the physical principles used and how they operate to mitigate the vibrations. This paper offers a multi-criteria analysis of a vast number of systems in different phases of development, going from full-scale testing to prototype stage, experiments, research, and ideas. Keywords: wind turbine; vibration control; advanced blade pitch control; variable rotor diameter; flow control; tuned damper; active tendons; piezoelectric actuator Citation: Awada, A.; Younes, R.; Ilinca, A. Review of Vibration Control 1. Introduction Methods for Wind Turbines. Energies The price instability of non-renewable energy sources and the trend to reduce green- 2021, 14, 3058. https://doi.org/ house gas (GHG) emissions resulted in increased investment in renewable energies. In 10.3390/en14113058 2010, research showed that renewable energy sources represented approximately 10% of global demand, and will increase by up to 60% by 2050 [1]. The wind power stood out Academic Editor: Matilde Santos among renewable sources for the last twenty years and became a mature, competitively commercialized, unsubsidized technology. It competes successfully in the marketplace Received: 29 April 2021 against massively subsidized fossil and nuclear incumbents, with a total power of over Accepted: 19 May 2021 Published: 25 May 2021 539,123 MW at the end of 2017 [2]. Nowadays, the capacity of the wind turbines available on the market is up to 9.5 MW (MHI Vestas V164-9.5MW wind turbine) with rotor diameter Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral up to 167 m (Siemens Gamesa SG 8.0–167 DD wind turbine) [3]. The wind turbine power with regard to jurisdictional claims in will reach 11 MW for offshore applications in 2030, as shown in Figure1[ 4]. Studies published maps and institutional affil- showed that an increase in the size of wind turbines and, consequently energy production, iations. decreases the Levelized Cost of Energy [5]. In the meantime, with an increased capacity, the blades are getting longer, heavier, and the use of a more flexible and slender design becomes inevitable. Additionally, as the blade length is related to the blade weight by the relation m ≈ R2.3 [6], the wind turbine is increasingly subject to higher loads and deformations [7]. Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Different systems to control the vibration of wind turbines are available, acting either This article is an open access article on the tower or directly on the blade. Several papers reviewed these systems, such as distributed under the terms and the work done by Van Dam et al. [8], with an extensive analysis of the methods based on conditions of the Creative Commons active flow control. Barlas et al. [9,10] analyzed several systems used in the smart blade Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// concept and also based on the active flow control. In [11], a useful review of some load creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ alleviation techniques is presented, with a focus on IPC (Individual Pitch Control), Active 4.0/). Twist, Ailerons, and Microtabs. Energies 2021, 14, 3058. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14113058 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/energies Energies 2021 14 Energies 2021, , 14, 3058, x FOR PEER REVIEW 22 of of 35 35 FigureFigure 1. 1.Expected Expected GrowthGrowth inin Offshore Offshore Turbine Turbine Size Size [ 4[4].]. InDifferent [12], the systems authors to complete control the a review vibration of mostof wind vibration turbines control are available, dampers acting like TMDeither (Tunedon the tower Mass Damper),or directly TLD on the (Tuned blade. Liquid Severa Damper),l papers reviewed Controllable these Fluid systems, Dampers, such as and the others.work done Aubrun by Van et al. Dam [13] presentedet al. [8], awith review an extensive of active flowanalysis control of strategiesthe methods focusing based onon theactive flow flow separation control. andBarlas circulation et al. [9,10] control analyzed technics. several The systems trailing edgeused flapsin the method smart blade was studiedconcept in and addition also based to Plasma on the actuators, active flow synthetic control. jets, In and[11], Gurney a useful Flaps, review all of with some a lot load of detailsalleviation and recenttechniques data. is presented, with a focus on IPC (Individual Pitch Control), Active Twist,Therefore, Ailerons, the and above Microtabs. documents focus on a single strategy for vibration control; they doIn [12], not providethe authors an overview complete ofa review all available of most vibration vibration reduction control dampers systems forlike wind TMD turbines.(Tuned Mass Table Damper),1 shows how TLD this (Tuned paper Liquid compares Damper), to previous Controllable work in Fluid terms Dampers, of vibration and controlothers. systemsAubrun underet al. [13] investigation. presented Toa review this end, of active the document flow control highlights strategies the advantages, focusing on drawbacks,the flow separation and associated and circulation challenges control of the vibrationtechnics. The control trailing systems. edge These flaps systemsmethod arewas atstudied different in stagesaddition of development,to Plasma actuators, ranging synthe from full-scaletic jets, and tests Gurney to prototypes, Flaps, all experiments, with a lot of anddetails ideas. and Additionally, recent data. we present a new vibration control method based on the use of piezoelectricTherefore, material. the above documents focus on a single strategy for vibration control; they do not provide an overview of all available vibration reduction systems for wind turbines. Table 1. PositioningTable of1 shows this study how to previousthis paper ones compares in the study to ofpr vibrationevious work control in systems.terms of vibration control systems underPresent investigation.Van Dam To thisBarlas end, the BarlasdocumentBerg highlights et al. theRahman advantages,Aubrun draw- Covered Systems backs, andReview associatedet challenges al. [8] et of al. the [9] vibretation al. [10 control] [ 11systems.] et These al. [12 ]systemset al. [are13] at Advanced Blade Pitch controldifferent stages4 of development, 4 ranging from full-scale 4 tests 4 to prototypes, experiments, Variable rotor diameter and ideas. Additionally,4 4 we present a new vibration control method based on the use of Trailing-Edgepiezoelectric Flaps 4 material. 4 4 4 4 4 In the next section, we introduce the concept and analyze the sources of wind turbine Microflaps 4 4 4 vibration. Then, we present, one after the other, the vibration control systems based on Microtabs 4 4 4 4 4 advanced blade pitch control, the variable rotor diameter technique, the methods based Miniatureon flow control,4 tuned dampers, 4 and the active 4tendons embedded 4 in the blade structure. 4 Trailing-Edge Effectors Finally, we present a new solution for vibration control, based on the use of piezoelectric Flow Control Synthetic jets 4 4 4 material, and compare it with existing methods. Vortex Generators 4 4 4 4 Plasma actuators 4 4 4 Active Twist 4 4 4 4 Shape Change Airfoil 4 4 Active Flexible Wall 4 4 Energies 2021, 14, 3058 3 of 35 Table 1. Cont. Present Van Dam Barlas Barlas Berg et al. Rahman Aubrun Covered Systems Review et al. [8] et al. [9] et al. [10] [11] et al. [12] et al. [13] Tuned mass damper 4 4 Tuned liquid dampers 4 4 Tuned Dampers Controllable liquid 4 4 (TD) dampers: Pendulum system 4 4 Tuned rolling balls 4 4 damper Active Tendons 4 Piezoelectric Actuators 4 4 In the next section, we introduce the concept and analyze the sources of wind turbine vibration. Then, we present, one after the other, the vibration control systems based on advanced blade pitch control, the variable rotor diameter technique, the methods based on flow control, tuned dampers, and the active tendons embedded in the blade structure. Finally, we present a new solution for vibration control, based on the use of piezoelectric material, and compare it with existing methods. 2. Wind Turbine Vibration—An Overview The wind turbine structure has several degrees of freedom; the tower can bend in the longitudinal and lateral directions; the nacelle and rotor can translate and rotate in tilt and Energies 2021, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEWroll, respectively; and bending of the blade can occur in flapwise (out-of-plan) or edgewise4 of 35 (in-plane) directions [14], as shown in Figure2. FigureFigure 2.2.Degrees Degrees ofof freedomfreedom ofof windwind turbineturbine [14[14].]. TheRezaeiha vibration et al. of [7] the quantified wind turbine the relative is a very contribution complex, multi-coupling of each of the phenomenon.sources men- Severaltioned above types on of vibrationsthe total fatigue affect loads. the wind They turbine. showed Nevertheless, that over 65% the of mostflapwise important fatigue, results from wind turbulence, while gravity contributes to over 80% of edgewise fatigue.