Articles | Volume 10, issue 11
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-2729-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-2729-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
25 Nov 2025
Research article |
| 25 Nov 2025
| 25 Nov 2025
From the center of wind pressure to loads on the wind turbine: a stochastic approach for the reconstruction of load signals
Daniela Moreno
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, School of Mathematics and Science, Institute of Physics, Oldenburg, Germany
Jan Friedrich
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, School of Mathematics and Science, Institute of Physics, Oldenburg, Germany
Carsten Schubert
ICM, Institute for Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
Matthias Wächter
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, School of Mathematics and Science, Institute of Physics, Oldenburg, Germany
Jörg Schwarte
Nordex Energy SE & Co.KG, Erich-Schlesinger-Straße 50, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Gritt Pokriefke
Nordex Energy SE & Co.KG, Erich-Schlesinger-Straße 50, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Günter Radons
ICM, Institute for Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
Institute of Physics, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
deceased, 20 July 2024
Joachim Peinke
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, School of Mathematics and Science, Institute of Physics, Oldenburg, Germany
Related authors
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Wind Energ. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2025-158, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2025-158, 2025
Preprint under review for WES
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There are various simulation tools to provide load forecast in the wind energy field (BEM and LES models). A newly introduced concept is the Center of Wind Pressure, a quantity extracted from a wind field. In previous works a similar behaviour, then the main shaft bending moments, was shown. But a clear relationship is missing. In this work, this gap is filled by the introduction of a calibration parameter.
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For modern wind turbines, the effects of inflow wind fluctuations on the loads are becoming increasingly critical. Based on field measurements and simulations, we identify “bump” events responsible for high damage equivalent loads. In this article, we introduce a new characteristic of a wind field: the virtual center of wind pressure which highly correlates to the identified load events observed in the operational measured data.
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Unexpected load events measured on operating wind turbines are not accurately predicted by numerical simulations. We introduce the periods of constant wind speed as a possible cause of such events. We measure and characterize their statistics from atmospheric data. Further comparisons to standard modelled data and experimental turbulence data suggest that such events are not intrinsic to small-scale turbulence and are not accurately described by current standard wind models.
Khaled Yassin, Arne Helms, Daniela Moreno, Hassan Kassem, Leo Höning, and Laura J. Lukassen
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The current turbulent wind field models stated in the IEC 61400-1 standard underestimate the probability of extreme changes in wind velocity. This underestimation can lead to the false calculation of extreme and fatigue loads on the turbine. In this work, we are trying to apply a random time-mapping technique to one of the standard turbulence models to adapt to such extreme changes. The turbulent fields generated are compared with a standard wind field to show the effects of this new mapping.
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This study utilizes a method to analyze power conversion dynamics across different operational states, addressing non-stationarity with a correlation matrix algorithm. Findings reveal distinct dynamics for each state, emphasizing their impact on system behavior and offering a solution for hysteresis effects in power conversion dynamics.
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Short summary
Short summary
There are various simulation tools to provide load forecast in the wind energy field (BEM and LES models). A newly introduced concept is the Center of Wind Pressure, a quantity extracted from a wind field. In previous works a similar behaviour, then the main shaft bending moments, was shown. But a clear relationship is missing. In this work, this gap is filled by the introduction of a calibration parameter.
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Revised manuscript under review for WES
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Most human activity happens in the layer of the atmosphere which extends a few hundred meters to a couple of kilometers above the surface of the Earth. The flow in this layer is turbulent. Turbulence impacts wind power production and turbine lifespan. Optimizing wind turbine performance requires understanding how turbulence affects both wind turbine efficiency and reliability. This paper points to gaps in our knowledge that need to be addressed to effectively utilize wind resources.
Carsten Schubert, Daniela Moreno, Jörg Schwarte, Jan Friedrich, Matthias Wächter, Gritt Pokriefke, Günter Radons, and Joachim Peinke
Wind Energ. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2025-28, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2025-28, 2025
Preprint under review for WES
Short summary
Short summary
For modern wind turbines, the effects of inflow wind fluctuations on the loads are becoming increasingly critical. Based on field measurements and simulations, we identify “bump” events responsible for high damage equivalent loads. In this article, we introduce a new characteristic of a wind field: the virtual center of wind pressure which highly correlates to the identified load events observed in the operational measured data.
Daniela Moreno, Jan Friedrich, Matthias Wächter, Jörg Schwarte, and Joachim Peinke
Wind Energ. Sci., 10, 347–360, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-347-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-347-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Unexpected load events measured on operating wind turbines are not accurately predicted by numerical simulations. We introduce the periods of constant wind speed as a possible cause of such events. We measure and characterize their statistics from atmospheric data. Further comparisons to standard modelled data and experimental turbulence data suggest that such events are not intrinsic to small-scale turbulence and are not accurately described by current standard wind models.
Khaled Yassin, Arne Helms, Daniela Moreno, Hassan Kassem, Leo Höning, and Laura J. Lukassen
Wind Energ. Sci., 8, 1133–1152, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-1133-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-1133-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The current turbulent wind field models stated in the IEC 61400-1 standard underestimate the probability of extreme changes in wind velocity. This underestimation can lead to the false calculation of extreme and fatigue loads on the turbine. In this work, we are trying to apply a random time-mapping technique to one of the standard turbulence models to adapt to such extreme changes. The turbulent fields generated are compared with a standard wind field to show the effects of this new mapping.
Ingrid Neunaber, Joachim Peinke, and Martin Obligado
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Wind turbines are often clustered within wind farms. A consequence is that some wind turbines may be exposed to the wakes of other turbines, which reduces their lifetime due to the wake turbulence. Knowledge of the wake is thus important, and we carried out wind tunnel experiments to investigate the wakes. We show how models that describe wakes of bluff bodies can help to improve the understanding of wind turbine wakes and wind turbine wake models, particularly by including a virtual origin.
Sirko Bartholomay, Tom T. B. Wester, Sebastian Perez-Becker, Simon Konze, Christian Menzel, Michael Hölling, Axel Spickenheuer, Joachim Peinke, Christian N. Nayeri, Christian Oliver Paschereit, and Kilian Oberleithner
Wind Energ. Sci., 6, 221–245, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-6-221-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-6-221-2021, 2021
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This paper presents two methods on how to estimate the lift force that is created by a wing. These methods were experimentally assessed in a wind tunnel. Furthermore, an active trailing-edge flap, as seen on airplanes for example, is used to alleviate fluctuating loads that are created within the employed wind tunnel. Thereby, an active flow control device that can potentially serve on wind turbines to lower fatigue or lower the material used for the blades is examined.
Khaled Yassin, Hassan Kassem, Bernhard Stoevesandt, Thomas Klemme, and Joachim Peinke
Wind Energ. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2021-3, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2021-3, 2021
Revised manuscript not accepted
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When ice forms on wind turbine blades, the smooth surface of the blade becomes rough which changes its aerodynamic performance. So, it is very important to know how to simulate this rough surface since most CFD simulations depend on assuming a smooth surface. This article compares different mathematical models specialized in simulating rough surfaces with results of real ice profiles. The study presents the most accurate model and recommends using it in future airflow simulation of iced blades.
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Short summary
Increased sizes of modern turbines require extended descriptions of the atmospheric wind and its correlation to loads. Here, a surrogate stochastic method for estimating the bending moments at the main shaft is proposed. Based on the center of wind pressure dynamics, an advantage is the possibility of stochastically reconstructing large amounts of load data. Atmospheric measurements and modeled data demonstrate the validity of this method.
Increased sizes of modern turbines require extended descriptions of the atmospheric wind and its...
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