Optimization of Wind Turbine Efficiency during Severe Weather


Abstract views: 143 / PDF downloads: 63

Authors

  • Nana Kofi Annor Rice University Internship, Houston, TX, USA
  • Michael Ramirez Rice University Internship, Houston, TX, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1413-516X
  • Cafer Kucukbasol Rice University Internship, Houston, TX, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31039/plic.2024.11.241

Keywords:

severe weather conditions, wind turbines, optimization, high wind speeds, lightning

Abstract

Due to the importance of energy in society as well as the negative environmental impact of many commonly used energy sources, namely fossil fuels, it is essential to develop and improve sources of renewable energy. Wind energy is a prominent, widely accessible, and environmentally friendly form of renewable energy created when wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind to electricity. Severe weather is one area of concern for wind turbines. This article primarily examines the effects of high wind speeds and lightning on wind turbines. To aid in improving and fostering renewable energy, this article aims to study the effects of lightning and high wind speeds on wind turbines, evaluate current solutions, and suggest improvements where possible. After examining several sources, the advantages and disadvantages of current methods were discussed along with proposed improvements. Due to the restrictions of our research being purely virtual, lacking resources, and time constraints, we are unable to conduct tests and physical research of wind turbines and these meteorological events for more thorough first-hand exploration. Following our research, the next step would be to utilize the evaluations and proposed improvements to current wind turbine designs and analyze the effects.

References

El-Henaoui, D. S. (2012, July 5). Individual Pitch Control and Its Impact | Wind Systems Magazine. https://www.windsystemsmag.com/individual-pitch-control-and-its-impact/

Fact Sheet | Climate, Environmental, and Health Impacts of Fossil Fuels (2021) | White Papers | EESI. (n.d.). Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-climate-environmental-and-health-impacts-of-fossil-fuels-2021

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)—U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). (n.d.). Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php

Global wind energy share in electricity mix 2023. (n.d.). Statista. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1302053/global-wind-energy-share-electricity-mix/

Hammond, R., & Cooperman, A. (2022). Windfarm Operations and Maintenance Cost-Benefit Analysis Tool (WOMBAT) (NREL/TP-5000-83712). National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). https://doi.org/10.2172/1894867

How Do Wind Turbines Survive Severe Weather and Storms? (n.d.). Energy.Gov. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/how-do-wind-turbines-survive-severe-weather-and-storms

How Does a Wind Turbine Work? (n.d.). Energy.Gov. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://www.energy.gov/how-does-wind-turbine-work

Katsanos, E. I., Thöns, S., & Georgakis, C. Τ. (2016). Wind turbines and seismic hazard: A state-of-the-art review: Wind turbines and seismic hazard: a state-of-the-art review. Wind Energy, 19(11), 2113–2133. https://doi.org/10.1002/we.1968

NOAA Weather Partners (Director). (2020, June 17). Weather Briefly: Lightning [Video recording]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvMaHHR_QOU

Onshore vs. Offshore Wind Onshore vs. Offshore Wind | MITAGS. (2024, July 1). Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS). https://www.mitags.org/onshore-vs-offshore-wind/

US Department of Commerce, N. O. and A. A. (n.d.). How do hurricanes form? Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/how-hurricanes-form.html

Wind energy | IEC. (n.d.). Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://www.iec.ch/taxonomy/term/803

Wind power—Energy Education. (n.d.). Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Wind_power

Wind turbine: What it is, parts and working | Enel Green Power. (n.d.). Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://www.enelgreenpower.com/learning-hub/renewable-energies/wind-energy/wind-turbine

Yokoyama, S. (2011). Lightning protection of wind turbine generation systems. 2011 7th Asia-Pacific International Conference on Lightning, 941–947. https://doi.org/10.1109/APL.2011.6111051

Downloads

Published

2024-09-09

How to Cite

Annor, N. K., Michael Ramirez, & Kucukbasol, C. (2024). Optimization of Wind Turbine Efficiency during Severe Weather. Proceedings of London International Conferences, (11), 64–75. https://doi.org/10.31039/plic.2024.11.241