CONTENTS

1. Wind Turbines
1.1. Wind Turbine Glossary
2. Onshore Wind Energy
3. Offshore Wind Energy
3.1. Challenges of Offshore Wind Turbines
 WIND TURBINES

1.2. Wind Turbine Glossary

Wind turbines subsystem:

• Rotor: Blades and Hub

• Drive Train: Low-Speed Shaft (LSS), Bearings, Couplings, Gear Box, High-Speed Shaft
(HSS), Brakes
• Electrical: Generator, Power Electronics
• Control: Pitch motor and gears, Yaw motor, gears and brakes, sensors (wind and
direction)
• Support Structures: Tower, Nacelle
 a. Rotor

Wind turbine rotors, consisting of aerodynamically designed blades attached to a hub, capture
kinetic energy from the wind and convert it into mechanical energy for electricity generation,
with their size, material, and pitch control playing a crucial role in efficiency and durability.
Rotor blades are also an essential structural component of a wind turbine because they capture
the energy of the wind and send it to the generator via the main drive-train. The blades could
have a fixed pitch to simplify their design. The majority of wind turbines have three blades on a
horizontal axis. Turbine blades must have low inertia and high mechanical strength for long-term
and dependable operation.

Design objectives:

• High power supply for low wind velocity.

• Provide high power to a low hub height.
• Deliver high power in tiny rotor diameters.
• Improve the rotor’s power coefficient.

Getting the most energy out of a wind turbine is dependent on several things. These include
factors such:

1. Wind turbine height

2. Wind direction
3. Aerodynamic Efficiency
4. Air Density
5. Wind speed.
1. The height of the wind turbine and the aerodynamic structure of the wind turbine blade are
the most critical of these elements. Wind speed increases as we move away from the earth’s
surface; hence wind turbine height is significant. The aerodynamic structure of a wind
turbine blade is crucial because it may convert up to 59 percent of the wind’s kinetic energy
into electrical energy. The power generated by wind turbine rotor blades is proportional to the
wind conditions quality, tower height (hub height), rotor diameter, and operation and
maintenance management. Wind turbines may generate electricity at wind speeds ranging
 from 3–5 to 25 m/s. The maximum electricity-generating rate is usually between 11 and 25
m/s.
2. Rotor Aerodynamic Performance:

The wind rotor, the first ring in the transformation chain, can be built to transfer existing wind
power with little loss in the transition of wind energy.

3. Rotor Height:

Earth’s rough surface causes friction on the wind, so wind closer to the earth’s surface is slower
than the atmospheric wind. We assumed that winds 1,000 m above the earth’s surface, known as
geostrophic winds, are unaffected by surface roughness and friction losses. Based on these
considerations, there is a relationship between wind speed and wind height. Wind surface friction
is why developers build wind turbine towers as tall as feasible.

4. Rotor Diameter:

The rotor blade directly impacts the power generated by the turbine. Its diameter identifies the
surface area where the wind flows throughout the wind farm.

5. Wind Direction:

Wind direction is potential on onshore wind farms and offshore wind farms. As a result, it is one
of the parameters that wind direction must address in rotor design. It is a critical decision to
develop a new wind farm. We must monitor the wind direction where we will install the wind
turbine for at least six months. Wind direction will affect the turbine’s performance.

• Pitch System Control and Mechanism in Wind Turbines:

Pitch System Control:

The pitch system control is a critical component of modern wind turbines, designed to optimize
their efficiency and adaptability under varying wind conditions. This system actively manages
the angle of the turbine blades by rotating them from the power position to the feathered
position. The process is mechanical and dynamic, allowing the turbine to be precisely configured
for optimal operation at any rated wind speed. One of the primary advantages of active pitch
control is its ability to maximize energy production without compromising safety or
performance. The blades are engineered to accelerate the rotor effectively, while the system
ensures proper adjustments to prevent slowing or stopping the turbine unnecessarily. This active
control capability makes pitch-controlled turbines significantly more efficient than their
stallcontrolled counterparts, which rely solely on passive blade design to manage wind loads.

Pitch Mechanism:

The pitch mechanism is the hardware responsible for executing blade adjustments as directed by
the pitch control system. It consists of gears housed within the hub of the turbine, which are
typically activated either electrically or pneumatically. By turning or "pitching" the blades out of
the wind, the mechanism helps regulate rotor speed. This control is vital for maintaining optimal
operation, especially in wind conditions that are too strong or too weak to produce electricity
efficiently.

The combination of pitch system control and the pitch mechanism ensures that modern wind
turbines operate safely and at peak efficiency, adapting dynamically to the constantly changing
wind environment.

b. Drive Train:

The drivetrain of a wind turbine is composed of the gearbox and the generator, the necessary
components that a turbine needs to produce electricity. The gearbox is responsible for connecting
the low-speed shaft attached to the turbine blades to the high-speed shaft attached to the
generator. Assisted by a series of gears of varying sizes, the gearbox converts the slow rotation of
the outer blades—typically 30–60 rotations per minute—to the roughly 1,000–1,800 rotations
per minute that the generator needs to begin producing electricity.

1. Low-Speed Shaft:

The low-speed shaft, also known as the main shaft, plays a critical role in the operation of a wind
turbine. It connects directly to the rotor, which typically operates at a low rotational speed of
3060 RPM while generating high torque. As the size of the rotor increases, the torque and the
forces acting on the shaft, known as moments, also grow significantly. The path through which
the torque is transmitted is referred to as the "load-path." To handle these extreme forces, the
main shaft is typically made from steel, ensuring it can withstand the large torque loads
generated by the rotor. This shaft not only transfers the torque to the rest of the drivetrain,
enabling the generation of electricity, but also supports the considerable weight of the rotor. The
main shaft is held in place by bearings, which are designed to absorb and transfer the reactionary
loads from the rotor to the main frame of the turbine. This arrangement ensures stability and
efficiency in the turbine's operation, even under varying wind conditions.

2. Gearbox:

The gearbox serves as a critical link between the low-speed shaft and the high-speed shaft in a
wind turbine. Its primary function is to amplify the rotational speed of the shaft, converting the
low rotational speed of 30 to 60 RPM generated by the rotor into the much higher speed of 1500
to 1800 RPM required by most generators to produce electricity efficiently. This significant
increase in speed ensures that the generator can operate effectively and maximize energy
production from the wind.

The gearbox is a costly (and heavy) part of the wind turbine. Engineers are exploring
“directdrive” generators that operate at lower rotational speeds and do not need gearboxes.

3. Coupling:

Couplings connect the shafts together and transmit torque between the two shafts. Couplings can
be effectively used to dampen torque fluctuations in the main shaft before power is converted to
electricity. They are typically found between the main shaft and the gearbox, and between the
gearbox output and the generator.

4. Brakes:

Turbines do not operate above certain wind speeds because they might be damaged by the high
winds and associated loads. Brakes – A disc brake can be applied mechanically, electrically, or
hydraulically to stop the rotor in emergencies, for maintenance, and when the threshold speed is
exceeded.

5. Yaw System:
The yaw control mechanism comprises a motor and drive. The main purpose of this arrangement
is to move the nacelle and blades according to the wind direction. It enables the wind turbine to
capture the maximum available wind.

Free yaw (typical in downwind/smaller turbines).

The turbine automatically orients due to the aerodynamic loads on the blades

Utility-grade turbines employ a yaw drive (gear-motor) and direction sensor (wind vane) to
orient the rotor blades into the wind.

A yaw motor, pinion gear, bull gear, and yaw brakes make up the yaw system

6. Generator:

Converts the (rotational) mechanical energy extracted into electrical energy using magnetic
fields. Usually alternating current operated at a constant speed to produce utility-grade 60Hz AC
power. Since induction-type generators draw large amounts of reactive power from the utility
grid, compensatory capacitors are necessary.

c. Nacelle:

The nacelle houses all the major components of a modern wind energy conversion system,
except the rotor. The nacelle sits atop the tower. It is more of a protective cover for the
components and is made of lightweight material. The nacelle does not carry any load and thus is
not a structural member.

d. Towers:

Wind turbine towers are crucial structural components designed to support the nacelle and
blades, ensuring stability and optimal energy production. Typically constructed from galvanized
steel in tubular or lattice (truss) forms, towers are also occasionally made from concrete,
particularly in taller or offshore installations requiring enhanced strength and corrosion
resistance. Smaller turbines may use guy lines for added stability. The tower elevates the rotor
and nacelle to heights proportional to the rotor diameter, reducing ground-level turbulence and
maximizing wind capture. It transmits static forces, such as the weight of the nacelle and rotor,
as well as dynamic forces and rotational moments, to the foundation, ensuring structural integrity
under varying wind loads. Tubular towers, while expensive, are favored for their durability and
ability to house internal ladders or lifts, providing safe, protected access for maintenance. As the
most costly component of modern turbines, the tower combines advanced materials and
engineering to fulfill its critical role in efficiency and reliability.

2. Onshore Wind Energy

onshore wind energy is the power that’s generated by wind turbines located on land driven by the
natural movement of the air. You’ll often see onshore wind farms in fields or more rural areas, as
they’re usually constructed in less populated areas where buildings and obstacles don’t interrupt
the air.

Onshore wind turbines offer several advantages as a renewable energy source. Here are the key
benefits:

• Reduced environmental impact: An onshore wind farm’s construction and operation

creates significantly less emissions than other energy sources, while the sites they’re
placed on can still be farmed

• Cost effective: It’s one of the least expensive forms of renewable energy (along with solar
PV) and significantly less expensive than offshore wind power. Cheaper infrastructure
and costs to run means onshore farms can help lower electricity bills.
• Quicker installation and easier maintenance: Onshore wind farms can be constructed in
months, at scale and are relatively cheap and cost-effective to maintain compared with
offshore.
• Multi-Use Land: The land around onshore wind farms can often be used for agricultural
purposes, such as farming or grazing livestock.
3. Offshore Wind Energy

Offshore wind turbines are renewable energy systems installed in oceans or large bodies of water
to harness wind energy. They are positioned in locations with stronger, more consistent winds
than onshore sites, allowing for higher energy production. Offshore turbines are typically larger
than their onshore counterparts, maximizing electricity generation. They can be fixed to the
seabed in shallow waters or placed on floating platforms in deeper waters.

There are many advantages for the offshore wind turbines:

• Offshore wind turbines are more efficient: Higher wind speeds and consistency in
direction means offshore installations require fewer turbines to produce the same amount
of energy as onshore wind farms.
• Reduced environmental impact: Being miles out from the coast, offshore turbines are
further away from the local population. Restricted access to their sites may even help to
protect the surrounding marine ecosystems.
• More space to construct in: Oceans provide the perfect location to build wind farms in
terms of scale and openness. More wind farms being built means more clean, sustainable
energy can be produced.
• Since they are located far from residential areas, offshore wind turbines have less visual
impact and generate minimal noise concerns for communities.
• Many major cities are located near coasts, and offshore wind farms can provide energy
directly to these urban centers, reducing transmission losses.

3.1. Challenges of Offshore Wind Turbines

1. High Installation and Maintenance Costs : installing turbines in water requires specialized
equipment, such as underwater foundations and advanced installation vessels, increasing
costs. Maintenance is also more challenging due to difficult sea conditions and the need
for specialized crews.
2. Environmental Impact: Potential disruption to marine ecosystems and habitats during
construction and operation. Noise and vibrations may affect marine life, especially during
installation.
3. Technical Challenges : Offshore turbines must withstand harsh marine environments,
including saltwater corrosion, high winds, and strong waves. Reliable anchoring and
floating technologies are essential for deep-water installations.
4. Grid Connection Costs: Transmitting electricity from offshore sites to the mainland
requires underwater cables, which are expensive and complex to install.