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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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At least 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

Assessing Fatigue and Ultimate Load Uncertainty in Floating Offshore Wind Turbines Due to Varying Simulation Length

With the push towards siting wind turbines farther offshore due to higher wind quality and less visibility, floating offshore wind turbines, which can be located in deep water, are becoming an economically attractive option. The International Electrotechnical Commission's (IEC) 61400-3 design standard covers fixed-bottom offshore wind turbines, but there are a number of new research questions that need to be answered to modify these standards so that they are applicable to floating wind turbines. One issue is the appropriate simulation length needed for floating turbines. This paper will discuss the results from a study assessing the impact of simulation length on the ultimate and fatigue loads of the structure, and will address uncertainties associated with changing the simulation length for the analyzed floating platform. Recommendations of required simulation length based on load uncertainty will be made and compared to current simulation length requirements.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1975

A 100-kW metal wind turbine blade basic data, loads and stress analysis

A rotor loads computer program was used to define the steady state and cyclic loads acting on 60 ft long metal blades designed for the ERDA/NASA 100 kW wind turbine. Blade load and stress analysis used to support the structural design are presented. For the loading conditions examined, the metal blades are structurally adequate for use, within the normal operating range, as part of the wind turbine system.

Cherritt, A. W.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Weight optimization of large span steel truss structures with genetic algorithm

The paper presents the weight optimization process of the main steel truss that supports the Slatina Sport Hall roof. The structure was loaded with self-weight, dead loads, live loads, snow, wind and temperature, grouped in eleven load cases. The optimization of the structure was made using genetic algorithms implemented in a Matlab code. A total number of four different cases were taken into consideration when trying to determine the lowest weight of the structure, depending on the types of connections with the concrete structure ( types of supports, bearing modes), and the possibility of the lower truss chord nodes to change their vertical position. A number of restrictions for tension, maximum displacement and buckling were enforced on the elements, and the cross sections are chosen by the program from a user data base. The results in each of the four cases were analyzed in terms of weight, element tension, element section and displacement. The paper presents the optimization process and the conclusions drawn.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2012

THE SINS/zC-SINF SURVEY of z {approx} 2 GALAXY KINEMATICS: OUTFLOW PROPERTIES

Using SINFONI H{alpha}, [N II], and [S II] AO data of 27 z {approx} 2 star-forming galaxies (SFGs) from the SINS and zC-SINF surveys, we explore the dependence of outflow strength (via the broad flux fraction) on various galaxy parameters. For galaxies that have evidence for strong outflows, we find that the broad emission is spatially extended to at least the half-light radius ({approx}a few kpc). Decomposition of the [S II] doublet into broad and narrow components suggests that this outflowing gas probably has a density of {approx}10-100 cm{sup -3}, less than that of the star-forming gas (600 cm{sup -3}). There is a strong correlation of the H{alpha} broad flux fraction with the star formation surface density of the galaxy, with an apparent threshold for strong outflows occurring at 1 M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1} kpc{sup -2}. Above this threshold, we find that SFGs with log m{sub *} > 10 have similar or perhaps greater wind mass-loading factors ({eta} = M-dot{sub out}/SFR) and faster outflow velocities than lower mass SFGs, suggesting that the majority of outflowing gas at z {approx} 2 may derive from high-mass SFGs. The mass-loading factor is also correlated with the star formation rate (SFR), galaxy size, and inclination, such that smaller, more star-forming, and face-on galaxies launch more powerful outflows. We propose that the observed threshold for strong outflows and the observed mass loading of these winds can be explained by a simple model wherein break-out of winds is governed by pressure balance in the disk.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Validation of FAST.Farm Against Full-Scale Turbine SCADA Data for a Small Wind Farm

FAST.Farm is a new midfidelity engineering tool developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory targeted at accurately and efficiently predicting wind turbine power production and structural loading in wind farm settings, including wake interactions between turbines. FAST.Farm is based on some of the principles of the Dynamic Wake Meandering model—including passive tracer modeling of wake meandering—but addresses many of the limitations of previous Dynamic Wake Meandering (DWM) implementations. Previous FAST.Farm verification studies show the similarities and differences between FAST.Farm and large-eddy simulations for rigid and flexible turbines. In this validation study, FAST.Farm turbine responses are compared to multiturbine measurements from a subset of a full-scale wind farm. FAST.Farm predictions of turbine generator power, rotor speed, and blade pitch for five-turbine simulations are compared to supervisory control and data acquisition results. Results reveal that FAST.Farm generator power mean and standard deviation results reasonably match measured data for upstream and downstream turbines, as well as the mean rotor speed and blade pitch above rated wind speeds. However, FAST.Farm generally underpredicts the mean rotor speed and overpredicts the mean blade pitch below rated operation. These errors are likely related to inaccuracies in the generic controller simulated. Despite controller differences, FAST.Farm predicts the same overall relative rotor power trends for all waked turbines at all wind speeds.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Effect of Fatigue on the Capacity and Performance of Structural Concrete

The goal of this project was to enhance the understanding of the fatigue behavior of concrete structures for the purpose of improving the design and assessment of towers and foundations that support wind turbines, which must endure repeated loadings from wind, waves, operations, and other dynamic effects that cause material degradation. This was achieved through physical experiments, a review of the technical literature, and collaboration with experts in key subject areas. The project produced a comprehensive database of publicly available fatigue data, several technical papers presenting the research findings, and two Technotes to be published by the American Concrete Institute that advance best practices in fatigue testing and enable the development of concrete-specific fatigue (S-N) (stress-life) curves. These contributions are expected to enhance the durability and cost-effectiveness of wind turbine support structures.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Gearbox Reliability Collaborative: Test and Model Investigation of Sun Orbit and Planet Load Share in a Wind Turbine Gearbox; Preprint

This paper analyzes experimental measurement of the sun gear orbit in dynamometer testing and describes its relation to the other measured responses of the planetary stage. The relation of the sun orbit to component runout, component flexibility, gear coupling alignment, planet load share, and planet position error will be investigated. Equations describing the orbit of the sun gear in the testcases are derived. Rigid and flexible multibody models of the full gearbox are investigated and compared to sun and planet measurements. This paper shows that the sun gear's path may be influenced by gear coupling responses and gearbox structural flexibilities.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Co-optimizing Generation and Transmission Expansion with Wind Power in Large-Scale Power Grids Implementation in the US Eastern Interconnection

This paper studies the generation and transmission expansion co-optimization problem with a high wind power penetration rate in the US Eastern Interconnection (EI) power grid. In this paper, the generation and transmission expansion problem for the EI system is modeled as a mixed-integer programming (MIP) problem. Our paper also analyzed a time series generation method to capture the variation and correlation of both load and wind power across regions. The obtained series can be easily introduced into the expansion planning problem and then solved through existing MIP solvers. Simulation results show that the proposed planning model and series generation method can improve the expansion result significantly through modeling more detailed information of wind and load variation among regions in the US EI system. Moreover, the improved expansion plan that combines generation and transmission will aid system planners and policy makers to maximize the social welfare in large-scale power grids.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Influence of soil-structure interaction on performance of a super tall building using a new eddy-current tuned mass damper

Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) can be used as vibration control devices to improve the vibration performance of high-rise buildings. The Shanghai Tower (SHT) is a 632-m high landmark building in China, featuring a new eddy-current TMD. Special protective mechanisms have been adopted to prevent excessively large amplitude of the TMD under extreme wind or earthquake loading scenarios. This paper presents a methodology for simulating behavior of the new eddy-current TMD that features displacement-dependent damping behavior. The TMD model was built into the SHT finite element model to perform frequency analysis and detailed response analyses under wind and earthquake loads. Furthermore, soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects on wind and seismic load responses of the SHT model were investigated, as SSI has a significant impact on the vibration performance of high-rise buildings. It was found that SSI has more significant effects on acceleration response for wind loads with a short return period than for wind loads with a long return period. Some of the acceleration responses with SSI effects exceed design limits of human comfort for wind loads with shorter return periods. As to the seismic analyses, it was found that SSI slightly reduces the displacement amplitude, the damping force, and the impact force of the TMD.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1979

Preliminary analysis of performance and loads data from the 2-megawatt mod-1 wind turbine generator

Preliminary test data on output power versus wind speed, rotor blade loads, system dynamic behavior, and start-stop characteristics on the Mod-1 wind turbine generator are presented. These data were analyzed statistically and are compared with design predictions of system performance and loads. To date, the Mod-1 wind turbine generator has produced up to 1.5 MW of power, with a measured power versus wind speed curve which agrees closely with design. Blade loads were measured at wind speeds up to 14 m/s and also during rapid shutdowns. Peak transient loads during the most severe shutdowns are less than the design limit loads. On the inboard blade sections, fatigue loads are approximately equal to the design cyclic loads. On the outboard blade sections, however, measured cyclic loads are significantly larger than design values, but they do not appear to exceed fatigue allowable loads as yet.

Spera, D. A.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Wind turbine response in waked inflow: A modelling benchmark against full-scale measurements

Predicting the power and loads of wind turbines in waked inflow conditions still presents a major modelling challenge. It requires the accurate modelling of the atmospheric flow conditions, wakes of upstream turbines and the response of the turbine of interest. Rigorous validations of model frameworks against measurements of utility-scale wind turbines in such scenarios remain limited to date. In this study, six models of different fidelity are compared against measurements from the DanAero experiment. The two benchmark cases feature a full-wake and partial-wake scenario, respectively. The simulations are compared against local pressure forces and inflow velocities measured on several blade sections of the downstream turbine, as well as met mast measurements and standard SCADA data. Regardless of the model fidelity, reasonable agreements are found in terms of the wake characteristics and turbine response. For instance, the azimuth variation of the mean aerodynamic forces acting on the blade was captured with a mean relative error of 15-20%. Additionally, while various model-specific deficiencies could be identified, the study highlights the need for further full-scale measurement campaigns with even more extensive instrumentation. Furthermore, it is concluded that validations should not be limited to integrated and/or time-averaged quantities that conceal characteristic spatial or temporal variations.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Implementation of Substructure Flexibility and Member-Level Load Capabilities for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines in OpenFAST

OpenFAST is an open-source, physics-based engineering tool applicable to the load analysis of land-based and offshore wind turbines, including floating offshore wind turbines. The substructure for a floating wind turbine has historically been modeled in OpenFAST as a rigid body with hydrodynamic loads lumped at a point, which enabled the tool to predict the global response of the floating substructure but not the structural loads within its individual members. This limitation is an impediment to designing floating substructures - especially newer designs that are more streamlined, flexible, and cost-effective. This paper presents the development of new functionality in OpenFAST to model floating substructure flexibility and member-level loads, as well as the concepts and mathematical background needed to understand and apply it correctly.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1981

Performance and loads data from a wind tunnel test of a full-scale, coaxial, hingeless rotor helicopter

A full-scale XH-59A advancing blade concept helicopter was tested in Ames Research Center's 40 by 80 foot wind tunnel. The helicopter was tested with the rotor on and off, rotor hub fairings on and off, interrotor shaft fairing on and off, rotor instrumentation module on and off, and auxiliary propulsion thrust on and off. An advance ratio range of 0.25 and 0.45 with the rotor on and from 60 to 180 knots with the rotor off was investigated. Data on aerodynamic forces and moments, rotor loads, rotor control positions and vibration for the XH-59A as well as the aerodynamic performance of the isolated rotor are presented.

Felker, F. F., III↗
DOE OSTI2019

Substructure Flexibility and Member-Level Load Capabilities for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines in OpenFAST

OpenFAST is an open-source, physics-based engineering tool applicable to the load analysis of land-based and offshore wind turbines, including floating offshore wind turbines. The substructure for a floating wind turbine has historically been modeled in OpenFAST as a rigid body with hydrodynamic loads lumped at a point, which enabled the tool to predict the global response of the floating substructure but not the structural loads within its individual members. This limitation is an impediment to designing floating substructures - especially newer designs that are more streamlined, flexible, and cost-effective. This paper presents the development plan of new capabilities in OpenFAST to model floating substructure flexibility and member-level loads, including the functional requirements and modeling approaches needed to understand and apply them correctly.

17 WIND ENERGY↗