Wind Turbine Nacelle Simulation Validation

School Name

Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Engineering

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Ryan Schkoda, Clemson University Restoration Institute

Written Paper Award

3rd Place

Abstract

In order to more efficiently test wind turbine nacelles to the needs of energy company clients, as well as encourage future use of wind energy by making testing cheap and fast, the Clemson Undergraduate Energy Innovation Center needs an accurate nacelle (gearbox and generator) simulation system. This research outlines how well the current Clemson University Energy Innovation Center’s nacelle simulation correctly models the actual nacelle and test bench’s acceleration and displacement patterns. Later, attempts were made to offer explanations for the model performance level. To determine error, the actual nacelle data and nacelle simulation data were graphed against each other, and applications of RMS error and variance measurements were compared between the two data sets. Through these methods, it was recognized that the current model usually modeled the nacelle’s acceleration and displacement accurately, but in some cases reflected faults like possible incorrect flexibility settings and simulated sensor axes that did not line up with the actual sensor axes. In addition, some of the error between the tested nacelle and the simulated nacelle may have been caused by faulty sensors or errors in post-processing of the data. The analysis of this nacelle warm-up sequence will contribute to the future analysis of various test routines and simulations, and can help reveal errors in sensors as well as faults in simulations like incorrect flexibility settings.

Start Date

3-25-2017 11:59 PM

Presentation Format

Written Only

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 11:59 PM

Wind Turbine Nacelle Simulation Validation

In order to more efficiently test wind turbine nacelles to the needs of energy company clients, as well as encourage future use of wind energy by making testing cheap and fast, the Clemson Undergraduate Energy Innovation Center needs an accurate nacelle (gearbox and generator) simulation system. This research outlines how well the current Clemson University Energy Innovation Center’s nacelle simulation correctly models the actual nacelle and test bench’s acceleration and displacement patterns. Later, attempts were made to offer explanations for the model performance level. To determine error, the actual nacelle data and nacelle simulation data were graphed against each other, and applications of RMS error and variance measurements were compared between the two data sets. Through these methods, it was recognized that the current model usually modeled the nacelle’s acceleration and displacement accurately, but in some cases reflected faults like possible incorrect flexibility settings and simulated sensor axes that did not line up with the actual sensor axes. In addition, some of the error between the tested nacelle and the simulated nacelle may have been caused by faulty sensors or errors in post-processing of the data. The analysis of this nacelle warm-up sequence will contribute to the future analysis of various test routines and simulations, and can help reveal errors in sensors as well as faults in simulations like incorrect flexibility settings.