Research wind turbine
Institute for Electrical Drives, Power Electronics and Devices
Simulation models and digital twins
At the IALB of the University of Bremen, there are various possibilities for detailed investigations of wind turbines, both simulator-based and on the test rig and in the open field. The institute has several wind turbines of the type Krogmann 15/50, which already have all the functional characteristics of a “large” wind turbine at a rated power of only 50 kW. On such “small” plants, modifications and adaptations are possible with a reasonable effort.
In the Bremen Industrial Park, the ForWind Institute BIMAQ (Bremen Institute for Measurement, Automation and Quality Science) and Deutsche WindGuard GmbH from Varel operate the 180 meter high research wind turbine “UNI Bremen”. Systematic investigations are being carried out on the 3.4-megawatt plant to develop and test practicable solutions in plant technology. It is intended to provide measurement data for improvements in the design, material selection, manufacturing and control of wind turbines.
Research focus
Simulation model
A detailed simulation model of a Krogmann 15/50 was created in order to be able to estimate expected loads or the effects of new control and regulation processes before they are used on the test rig or in the open field.
Here, the method of multi-body simulation in combination with a detailed model setup can provide valuable information on the dynamic design and optimization of the overall system.
A possible multi-body representation of the power train includes individual components such as rotor, gearbox, shaft, generator, etc. as concentrated masses. These are connected to each other and to the housing via spring / damper elements that map the axial torsional and bending stiffnesses. Likewise, the rotor blades and the tower can be simulated as elastic elements.
The model makes it possible to realistically simulate the aerodynamic effects of turbulent wind or gusts, for example, and thus to determine the mechanical loads to be expected in the drive train as well as those on the nacelle and tower.
Krogital
In the ERDF-funded cooperation project “Krogital – Digital Cloud-Twin Krogmann 15/50 in Bremen/Bremerhaven” the two institutions of the University of Bremen (Bremer Centrum für Mechatronik [BCM] and Bremen Institute for Integrated Product Development [BIK]), together with partners, achieved the goal of developing an electric drive, power electronics, and components system developed by BCM member institute [IALB] digitize operated wind turbines (WTGs) by fitting them with comprehensive sensor technology. For this purpose, it was necessary to continuously record high-frequency measurement data from operations. After the wind turbines were equipped with modern sensor technology by BCM and BIK, the data was merged and transferred to the cloud for further intelligent processing. For this hardware interface, BCM built a data logger and deployed it on the WTG.
WindIO
This project is about unlocking new potential for yield management and accelerating the pace of innovation in wind energy. Within the scope of the joint project “WIND IO”, a cyber-physical system (CPS) of a wind turbine in operation is being built. Suitable interfaces for a holistic configuration management and thus a standardized data-based development tool for wind energy technology will be created.
Objectives
- Development of a general Methodology for the systematic construction of a CPS of a wind turbine in operation.
- Creation of application scenarios and development of standardized interfaces for the integration of a WTG-specific configuration management.
- Upgrading the IALB’s 50 kW research wind turbine to a CPS and approximating the operational behavior of the physics. plant through its digital image.
- Linking plant and operational data with weather and site information, as well as with wear and aging models, for the development of intelligent operating strategies.
- Transfer of the general Methodology on megawatt-class wind turbines. In-situ plausibility check of partial results obtained with the 3.4 MW research wind turbine operated by the joint venture partner Deutsche WindGuard GmbH.
