Wind Power Plant - Merged
Wind Power Plant - Merged
BSEE - 4D
GROUP 4
LEADER
BAYLET, MARK LORENCE S.
GROUP MEMBERS:
BRIONES, DANIEL LUIS M.
MONTAÑEZ, JEROME O.
SEDANTES, JOHN PATRICK V.
SUNGA, BIEN EFREN S.
During the second half of the 20th century, as the risks and environmental toll of fossil
fuel reliance grew increasingly apparent, there was a surge of interest in developing
cleaner, renewable sources of energy. One of the foremost among these clean energy
technologies has been wind power. The history of mankind's use of the wind as an
energy source is surprisingly long. In fact, it could be classified as one of humanity’s
oldest power sources. To trace wind energy back to its ultimate roots, we need to go
back in time, beyond the dawn of recorded history.
The first known wind turbine was said to have been built in Scotland, UK. Created by
Professor James Blyth of Anderson’s College in Glasgow (now Strathclyde University),
this turbine measured 10 meters high and was originally installed in the garden of
Blyth’s holiday home.
Since then, the way we view electricity has changed a lot, and we use it every day to
power our homes. We create that electricity through the use of wind, sun, water, and
heat produced naturally in the earth, and it is these renewable and sustainable energy
sources that we need to focus on to create a cleaner planet.
How a Wind Turbine Works
Wind power plants produce electricity by having an array of wind turbines in the same
location. The placement of a wind power plant is impacted by factors such as wind
conditions, the surrounding terrain, access to electric transmission, and other siting
considerations. In a utility-scale wind plant, each turbine generates electricity which runs
to a substation where it then transfers to the grid where it powers our communities.
Types of wind farms and advantages of each one
1. Onshore wind farms- An
onshore wind farm is a wind
farm located on land. These
wind turbines use the natural of
the surrounding air to generate
power. Typically, you will find
onshore wind farms in more
remote, rural areas of the
country, where the necessary
acreage is available and
buildings and other structures
cannot disrupt the wind flow. The construction of wind turbines on land involves
considering common wind patterns and speeds for optimal efficiency. For the
necessary energy transfer, onshore wind turbines must rotate at a consistent
speed. As the blades rotate, their energy first moves to a generator and then to
voltage cables. Finally, the energy moves to a substation, converting it to usable
electricity before distribution.
Turbine Types - In wind power plants, the primary turbine types are horizontal axis wind
turbines (HAWT) and vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT), with HAWT being the most commonly
used due to its higher efficiency in most wind conditions; VAWT designs include the Darrieus
and Savonius types.
1. Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs): The most common type, with the rotor shaft
and electrical generator at the top of a tower, and the blades facing into the wind.
2. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs): Less common, with the main rotor shaft arranged
vertically, allowing the turbine to capture wind from any direction without needing to
adjust orientation.
Key Components - It is the main component that forms the structure, base, and runs the whole
operation and function of a wind turbine.
1. Rotor Blades: Typically made of composite materials like fiberglass or carbon fiber,
designed to capture wind energy efficiently.
2. Nacelle: Houses the gearbox, generator, and other critical components.
3. Tower: Supports the nacelle and rotor blades, usually made of steel or concrete.
4. Foundation: Ensures stability and transfers loads from the tower to the ground.
Aerodynamic Design - It is the shaping of the turbine blades, specifically using airfoil profiles, to
maximize the lift force generated by the wind, allowing the blades to rotate efficiently and
produce the most power possible by harnessing the air flow around them, similar to how
airplane wings work; essentially, it's the science of optimizing the blade design to capture the
most energy from the wind.
It is the set of components within the turbine that convert the mechanical energy produced by
the spinning blades into electricity, including the generator, inverter, transformer, and control
systems, which work together to regulate voltage and frequency and deliver power to the grid;
essentially, it's the system that takes the rotational energy from the blades and turns it into
usable electricity.
Generator Types - The purpose of a generator in a wind turbine is to convert the mechanical
energy created by the spinning blades (due to wind) into electrical energy, essentially generating
electricity from the wind's kinetic energy; it acts as the key component that transforms the
rotational motion of the turbine shaft into usable electricity.
1. Induction Generators: Commonly used in older designs, requiring a grid connection to
operate.
2. Synchronous Generators: Used in modern turbines, capable of operating independently
of the grid.
3. Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators (PMSGs): Increasingly popular due to
higher efficiency and reliability.
Power Conversion - It is the process of transforming the kinetic energy of wind into electrical
energy by using the rotating blades to turn a generator, essentially converting wind's mechanical
energy into electricity that can be used on the power grid; this process involves the blades
capturing wind energy, transferring it through a shaft to the generator, which then produces
electricity.
1. Rectifiers and Inverters: Convert the variable frequency AC generated by the turbine into
a stable frequency suitable for the grid.
2. Transformers: Step up the voltage for efficient transmission over long distances.
Grid Integration - a collection of all activities related to connecting Wind Power Plants to the
grid. Also, it is the practice of developing efficient ways to deliver variable renewable energy
(RE) to the grid. Robust integration methods maximize the cost-effectiveness of incorporating
variable RE into the power system while maintaining or increasing system stability and reliability.
1. Grid Connection: Wind farms are connected to the electrical grid via substations.
2. Power Quality: Advanced control systems ensure stable voltage and frequency,
minimizing grid disturbances.
Wind Turbine Control Systems
It is the brain of a wind turbine, responsible for managing all its critical components to ensure
safe and optimized operation by adjusting blade pitch, yaw angle, and generator power output
based on wind conditions, maximizing energy production while protecting the turbine from
damage; essentially, it monitors and regulates the turbine's functions to generate electricity
efficiently in changing weather situations.
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) - a computer system with software tools
used for monitoring and controlling wind turbines and/or wind farms from an operations console
or center.
1. Monitoring: Real-time data collection on turbine performance, wind speed, and
environmental conditions.
2. Control: Remote operation and adjustment of turbine settings to optimize performance
and safety.
Pitch and Yaw Control - it is the adjusting of the angle of blades to optimize power generation by
controlling the amount of wind captured, while "Yaw Control" refers to rotating the entire nacelle
(the housing at the top of the tower) to always face directly into the wind, ensuring maximum
efficiency; essentially, pitch controls the blade angle and yaw controls the turbine's direction to
the wind.
1. Pitch Control: Adjusts blade angle to regulate rotor speed and power output.
2. Yaw Control: Rotates the nacelle to keep the blades facing the wind.
Safety Systems - A safety system in a wind turbine is a set of mechanisms designed to
protect the turbine from damage by automatically responding to potentially dangerous
conditions like high wind speeds, overvoltage, overheating, or grid failure, often including
features like blade pitch control, yaw control, overspeed protection, and lightning protection
systems to ensure safe operation.
1. Braking Systems: Mechanical and aerodynamic brakes to stop the rotor in emergencies.
Wind turbine specifications include the size of the blades, tower height, rotor diameter,
and electrical output.
1. Rotor Diameter: Typically ranges from 80 to 120 meters for onshore turbines, and up to
160 meters for offshore.
Wind Farm Specifications - A wind farm's specifications regarding wind turbines typically
include details like the turbine's rated power capacity usually in megawatts, blade length, tower
height, rotor diameter, cut-in wind speed (the minimum wind speed for power generation), rated
wind speed the optimal wind speed for maximum power, and the number of turbines within the
farm, all of which are chosen based on the specific wind conditions of the location to maximize
energy production.
1. Capacity: Ranges from a few MW for small farms to several hundred MW for large-scale
installations.
2. Number of Turbines: Varies based on site capacity and turbine size.
3. Annual Energy Production (AEP): Estimated based on wind resource and turbine
efficiency.
Wind Turbine Maintenance and Operation
Wind turbine maintenance and operation refers to the process of keeping wind turbines
in working order and generating electricity.
1. Inspections: Regular checks of blades, gearbox, generator, and other components.
2. Lubrication: Ensuring moving parts are properly lubricated to reduce wear and tear.
Predictive Maintenance - a proactive approach that uses data analysis and sensors to
monitor the condition of a turbine's components, allowing operators to anticipate potential
failures and schedule maintenance tasks before issues escalate, minimizing downtime and
optimizing operational efficiency; essentially, it's about predicting when a turbine might need
repairs by analyzing real-time data on factors like vibration, temperature, and speed, rather than
relying on scheduled maintenance intervals.
1. Condition Monitoring: Using sensors and data analytics to predict and prevent failures.
2. Remote Diagnostics: SCADA systems enable remote troubleshooting and diagnostics.
1. Weather Conditions: Extreme weather can impact turbine performance and maintenance
schedules.
2. Component Wear: High stress on components like gearboxes and bearings requires
frequent monitoring and replacement.
Wind Turbine Future Trends
Future trends in wind turbines include more powerful turbines, floating wind turbines, and
better integration into urban areas.
Offshore Wind Farms - a group of wind turbines constructed in the ocean, on the
continental shelf, where they harness the powerful and consistent winds blowing over the water
to generate electricity, essentially a large-scale wind farm situated out at sea, utilizing
specialized turbines designed to withstand the marine environment and anchored to the seabed.
1. Floating Turbines: Enabling deployment in deeper waters with higher wind speeds.
2. Larger Turbines: Increasing rotor diameters and hub heights to capture more energy.
Advanced Materials - refers to composite materials like carbon fiber reinforced polymers
(CFRP), which are used primarily in the turbine blades, offering high strength and stiffness while
remaining lightweight, allowing for larger and more efficient blade designs compared to
traditional fiberglass composites.
1. Composite Materials: Development of lighter and stronger materials for blades and other
components.
2. Smart Materials: Integration of materials that can change properties in response to
environmental conditions.
Digitalization and AI - use of advanced data collection and analysis systems to monitor
and optimize turbine performance, while "AI" (artificial intelligence) is the application of
algorithms that can learn from this data to make intelligent decisions, like adjusting blade pitch
or predicting maintenance needs, to maximize energy production and efficiency within a wind
farm.
1. Machine Learning: Optimizing turbine performance and predictive maintenance through
AI algorithms.
2. Digital Twins: Virtual replicas of wind farms for simulation and optimization.
Wind power plants are a critical component of the global transition to renewable energy.
Advances in turbine design, electrical systems, control technologies, and site selection continue
to improve the efficiency and reliability of wind energy. As the industry evolves, innovations in
offshore wind, advanced materials, and digitalization will further enhance the viability and
sustainability of wind power.
It is widely recognized that the resources of our planet are finite, which makes the development
of wind and solar power facilities for energy generation essential. As of 2024, India has an
installed capacity of over 90.76 GW of electrical energy. This positions India as the
fourth-largest producer of renewable energy in the world. This highlights the country's
commitment to producing renewable energy.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN A WIND POWER PLANT
SITE SELECTION AND FEASIBILITY STUDY
1) Wind Speed & Direction
a) Ideally, wind speeds should be 5–25 m/s (meters per second).
b) Use anemometers or wind maps to measure wind patterns.
2) Topography & Land Availability
a) Avoid obstacles (mountains, buildings, forests) that may disrupt wind flow.
b) Ensure enough space for turbine installation and maintenance.
3) Environmental Impact
a) Check for effects on wildlife, noise pollution, and local communities.
b) Conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
4) Grid Connectivity
a) Ensure the site is near a power grid to reduce transmission costs.
5) Government Regulations & Permits
a) Obtain necessary approvals from local authorities, energy boards, and
environmental agencies.
How to Select the Location of Wind Power Plants?
The location of the wind power plant is generally selected in the wind inlet and outlet of the
larger basin or the wind inlet and outlet of the larger ocean lake. Specific locations such as
valleys where high mountains surround basins (or oceans and lakes) are located, or where
there are karst caves running through the mountains, are more likely to have greater wind
power.
In terms of wind structure construction, the wind inlet and outlet should be selected to construct
a building with a wind device with a reverse check valve, and the sealing area will change from
large to small according to the law of wind velocity movement along the tuyere from bottom to
top. Therefore, the wind energy per unit area is increased to make the wind turbine run faster.
Therefore, the wind energy per unit area is increased to make the wind turbine run faster.
The flow of wind is affected by topography, and the velocity of wind is affected by seasonal
change. Therefore, the location selection of wind power plant should start from the following
factors.
1. Select the location where the wind is strong at the inlet and outlet of the canyon, such as
the valley where the air exchanges between the surrounding mountain basin and
low-lying terrain (including lakes, oceans, plains, deserts, etc.).
2. Wind power plants are constructed at locations where the average annual wind speed is
more than 3m/s and the operating wind speed is more than 4m/s, and the time to reach
the above two points is more than 4000 hours per year.
3. Choose the terrain that can build wind power structures and install wind turbines to build
wind power stations.
4. The area at the center of power consumption should be selected.
5. Traffic roads can be built near wind power stations to facilitate the transportation of
materials for wind power towers and the management of wind power stations.
It can be difficult and costly to obtain planning consent for onshore wind turbine projects and all
planning applications are inherently risky – some much more than others. It is important to
understand the extent and nature of these risks when considering a wind turbine project, and to
understand the costs, financial returns and environmental benefits. Once these are adequately
understood an objective view can be taken whether to proceed to a planning application and
incur the costs of doing so.
The purpose of a wind feasibility study is to :
● Determine the most appropriate scale and location of turbine for the site
● Initial assessment of on-site wind resource
● Technical assessment of physical and planning constraints and initial technical issues
that may affect the viability of the project
● Initial assessment of project costs, payment and return on investment
● Provide an objective view as to the level of risk should the project proceed to a planning
application
Capacity: Small (1-10 kW for homes), Medium (10-100 kW for businesses), Large (>100 kW for
commercial farms).
Type:
4. Installation Process
● Link the turbine to the inverter, batteries (if any), and grid.
● Regular Inspections – Check for wear and tear on blades, gears, and electrical
components.
● Lubrication & Cleaning – Prevent rusting and improve efficiency.
● Performance Monitoring – Use SCADA systems for real-time monitoring.
6. Cost Considerations
These are courtesy of Nabas Wind Farm which delivered its first power to the
Visayas Grid in 2015. The construction was led by PetroGreen Energy
Corporation (PGEC), a fully owned subsidiary of PetroEnergy Resources
Corporation (PERC). Barangay Pawa, a remote area in Nabas, is sited high up in
its mountain ranges. It is said that this barangay is where winds blow the
strongest among all other areas in Nabas.
4. PILILLA WIND FARM ( 54 MW CAPACITY)
Drive 40 kilometers southeast of Manila toward Pililla, Rizal, and green rolling hills start
to appear, some reaching up to 300 meters above sea level. On this site sit 27 wind
turbines from Gamesa of Spain, arranged in three clusters. Each turbine stretches up
125 meters, as tall as a 33-story building. In total, these turbines produce 54MW of wind
power per year, providing electricity to approximately 66,000 households in Manila.
Strategic placement and strong wind resources help make the Pililla wind farm a
commercial success. It is also a lively tourist destination that helps support the local
economy: During Holy Week, an average of 130,000 visitors travel to Pililla, increasing
appreciation for renewable energy in the Philippines, and providing opportunities for
residents to generate new streams of income.
5. PUERTO GALERA WIND FARM ( 48 MW CAPACITY)
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