Articles | Volume 8, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-421-2023
© Author(s) 2023. 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-8-421-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Assessing the rotor blade deformation and tower–blade tip clearance of a 3.4 MW wind turbine with terrestrial laser scanning
Bremen Institute for Metrology, Automation and Quality Science, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Alex Intemann
Bremen Institute for Metrology, Automation and Quality Science, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Klaus-Peter Webersinke
LASE Industrielle Lasertechnik GmbH, 46485 Wesel, Germany
Axel von Freyberg
Bremen Institute for Metrology, Automation and Quality Science, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Michael Sorg
Bremen Institute for Metrology, Automation and Quality Science, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Andreas Fischer
Bremen Institute for Metrology, Automation and Quality Science, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Bremen Research Centre for Energy Systems (BEST), University of Bremen,
28334 Bremen, Germany
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Clemens Jonscher, Paula Helming, David Märtins, Andreas Fischer, David Bonilla, Benedikt Hofmeister, Tanja Grießmann, and Raimund Rolfes
Wind Energ. Sci., 10, 193–205, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-193-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-193-2025, 2025
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This study investigates dynamic displacement estimation using double-time-integrated acceleration signals for future application in load monitoring based on accelerometers. To estimate displacements without amplitude distortion, a tilt error compensation method for low-frequency vibrations of tower structures using the static bending line without the need for additional sensors is presented. The method is validated using a full-scale onshore wind turbine tower and a terrestrial laser scanner.
Marc Pillarz, Axel von Freyberg, and Andreas Fischer
J. Sens. Sens. Syst., 9, 273–282, https://doi.org/10.5194/jsss-9-273-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/jsss-9-273-2020, 2020
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The necessary reliability of wind turbine gearboxes increases the requirements for large gear measurements. However, standard measuring methods reach their limits for large gears with diameters > 1 m. Therefore a scalable optical gear measurement approach is presented. At first, simulation and experimental results prove the principle applicability of the measuring approach for small gear measurements. Geometric parameters of gears can be determined with a single-digit micrometer uncertainty.
Jan Osmers, Ágnes Patzkó, Oskar Hoppe, Michael Sorg, Axel von Freyberg, and Andreas Fischer
J. Sens. Sens. Syst., 7, 123–130, https://doi.org/10.5194/jsss-7-123-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/jsss-7-123-2018, 2018
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Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The laboratory results of a novel measurement approach for the internal eye pressure are presented, with an uncertainty of less than 1 mmHg. A physical model explaining the relation between eye pressure and the damping ratio of a coupled mechanical system is defined. This provides design parameters for a handheld self-tonometer for Glaucoma diagnosis and therapeutic follow-up, with high application potential in ophthalmology.
Related subject area
Thematic area: Materials and operation | Topic: Operation and maintenance, condition monitoring, reliability
On the modeling errors of digital twins for load monitoring and fatigue assessment in wind turbine drivetrains
Machine-learning-based virtual load sensors for mooring lines using simulated motion and lidar measurements
Unsupervised anomaly detection of permanent-magnet offshore wind generators through electrical and electromagnetic measurements
Full-scale wind turbine performance assessment using the turbine performance integral (TPI) method: a study of aerodynamic degradation and operational influences
A machine learning-based approach for active monitoring of blades pitch misalignment in wind turbines
Operation and maintenance cost comparison between 15 MW direct-drive and medium-speed offshore wind turbines
Sensitivity of fatigue reliability in wind turbines: effects of design turbulence and the Wöhler exponent
Active trailing edge flap system fault detection via machine learning
Grand challenges in the digitalisation of wind energy
Overview of normal behavior modeling approaches for SCADA-based wind turbine condition monitoring demonstrated on data from operational wind farms
Introducing a data-driven approach to predict site-specific leading-edge erosion from mesoscale weather simulations
Population Based Structural Health Monitoring: Homogeneous Offshore Wind Model Development
Wind turbine main-bearing lubrication – Part 2: Simulation-based results for a double-row spherical roller main bearing in a 1.5 MW wind turbine
Reduction of wind-turbine-generated seismic noise with structural measures
Very low frequency IEPE accelerometer calibration and application to a wind energy structure
Felix C. Mehlan and Amir R. Nejad
Wind Energ. Sci., 10, 417–433, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-417-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-417-2025, 2025
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A digital twin is a virtual representation that mirrors the wind turbine's real behavior through simulation models and sensor measurements and can assist in making key decisions such as planning the replacement of parts. These models and measurements are, of course, not perfect and only give an incomplete picture of the real behavior. This study investigates how large the uncertainty of such models and measurements is and to what extent it affects the decision-making process.
Moritz Gräfe, Vasilis Pettas, Nikolay Dimitrov, and Po Wen Cheng
Wind Energ. Sci., 9, 2175–2193, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-2175-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-2175-2024, 2024
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This study explores a methodology using floater motion and nacelle-based lidar wind speed measurements to estimate the tension and damage equivalent loads (DELs) on floating offshore wind turbines' mooring lines. Results indicate that fairlead tension time series and DELs can be accurately estimated from floater motion time series. Using lidar measurements as model inputs for DEL predictions leads to similar accuracies as using displacement measurements of the floater.
Ali Dibaj, Mostafa Valavi, and Amir R. Nejad
Wind Energ. Sci., 9, 2063–2086, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-2063-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-2063-2024, 2024
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This study emphasizes the need for effective condition monitoring in permanent magnet offshore wind generators to tackle issues like demagnetization and eccentricity. Utilizing a machine learning model and high-resolution measurements, we explore methods of early fault detection. Our findings indicate that flux monitoring with affordable, easy-to-install stray flux sensors with frequency information offers a promising fault detection strategy for large megawatt-scale offshore wind generators.
Tahir H. Malik and Christian Bak
Wind Energ. Sci., 9, 2017–2037, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-2017-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-2017-2024, 2024
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We explore the effect of blade modifications on offshore wind turbines' performance through a detailed analysis of 12 turbines over 12 years. Introducing the turbine performance integral method, which utilises time-series decomposition that combines various data sources, we uncover how blade wear, repairs and software updates impact efficiency. The findings offer valuable insights into improving wind turbine operations, contributing to the enhancement of renewable energy technologies.
Sabrina Milani, Jessica Leoni, Stefano Cacciola, Alessandro Croce, and Mara Tanelli
Wind Energ. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2024-100, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2024-100, 2024
Revised manuscript accepted for WES
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In this paper, we propose a novel machine-learning framework pitch misalignment detection in wind turbines. By using a minimal set of standard sensors, our method detects misalignments as small as 0.1deg and localizes the affected blades. It combines signal processing with a hierarchical classification structure and linear regression for precise severity quantification. Evaluation results validate the approach, showing notable accuracy in misalignment classification, regression, and localization
Orla Donnelly, Fraser Anderson, and James Carroll
Wind Energ. Sci., 9, 1345–1362, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-1345-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-1345-2024, 2024
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We collate the latest reliability data in operations and maintenance (O&M) for offshore wind turbines, specifically large turbines of 15 MW. We use these data to model O&M of an offshore wind farm at three different sites. We compare two industry-dominant drivetrain configurations in terms of O&M cost for 15 MW turbines and determine if previous results for smaller turbines still hold true. Comparisons between drivetrains are topical within industry, and we produce cost comparisons for them.
Shadan Mozafari, Paul Veers, Jennifer Rinker, and Katherine Dykes
Wind Energ. Sci., 9, 799–820, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-799-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-799-2024, 2024
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Turbulence is one of the main drivers of fatigue in wind turbines. There is some debate on how to model the turbulence in normal wind conditions in the design phase. To address such debates, we study the fatigue load distribution and reliability following different models of the International Electrotechnical Commission 61400-1 standard. The results show the lesser importance of load uncertainty due to turbulence distribution compared to the uncertainty of material resistance and Miner’s rule.
Andrea Gamberini and Imad Abdallah
Wind Energ. Sci., 9, 181–201, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-181-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-181-2024, 2024
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Active trailing edge flaps can potentially reduce wind turbine (WT) loads. To monitor their performance, we present two methods based on machine learning that identify flap health states, including degraded performance, in normal power production and idling condition. Both methods rely only on sensors commonly available on WTs. One approach properly detects all the flap states if a fault occurs on only one blade. The other approach can identify two specific flap states in all fault scenarios.
Andrew Clifton, Sarah Barber, Andrew Bray, Peter Enevoldsen, Jason Fields, Anna Maria Sempreviva, Lindy Williams, Julian Quick, Mike Purdue, Philip Totaro, and Yu Ding
Wind Energ. Sci., 8, 947–974, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-947-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-947-2023, 2023
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Wind energy creates huge amounts of data, which can be used to improve plant design, raise efficiency, reduce operating costs, and ease integration. These all contribute to cheaper and more predictable energy from wind. But realising the value of data requires a digital transformation that brings
grand challengesaround data, culture, and coopetition. This paper describes how the wind energy industry could work with R&D organisations, funding agencies, and others to overcome them.
Xavier Chesterman, Timothy Verstraeten, Pieter-Jan Daems, Ann Nowé, and Jan Helsen
Wind Energ. Sci., 8, 893–924, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-893-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-893-2023, 2023
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This paper reviews and implements several techniques that can be used for condition monitoring and failure prediction for wind turbines using SCADA data. The focus lies on techniques that respond to requirements of the industry, e.g., robustness, transparency, computational efficiency, and maintainability. The end result of this research is a pipeline that can accurately detect three types of failures, i.e., generator bearing failures, generator fan failures, and generator stator failures.
Jens Visbech, Tuhfe Göçmen, Charlotte Bay Hasager, Hristo Shkalov, Morten Handberg, and Kristian Pagh Nielsen
Wind Energ. Sci., 8, 173–191, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-173-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-173-2023, 2023
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This paper presents a data-driven framework for modeling erosion damage based on real blade inspections and mesoscale weather data. The outcome of the framework is a machine-learning-based model that can predict and/or forecast leading-edge erosion damage based on weather data and user-specified wind turbine characteristics. The model output fits directly into the damage terminology used by the industry and can therefore support site-specific maintenance planning and scheduling of repairs.
Innes Murdo Black, Moritz Werther Häckell, and Athanasios Kolios
Wind Energ. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2022-93, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2022-93, 2022
Revised manuscript accepted for WES
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Population based structural health monitoring is a low-cost monitoring campaign. The cost reduction from this type of digital enabled asset management tool is manifested by sharing information, in this case a wind farm foundation, within the population. By sharing the information in the wind farm this reduces the amount of sensors and physical model updating, reducing the cost of the monitoring campaign.
Edward Hart, Elisha de Mello, and Rob Dwyer-Joyce
Wind Energ. Sci., 7, 1533–1550, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-7-1533-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-7-1533-2022, 2022
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This paper is the second in a two-part study on lubrication in wind turbine main bearings. Investigations are conducted concerning lubrication in the double-row spherical roller main bearing of a 1.5 MW wind turbine. This includes effects relating to temperature, starvation, grease-thickener interactions and possible non-steady EHL effects. Results predict that the modelled main bearing would be expected to operate under mixed lubrication conditions for a non-negligible proportion of its life.
Rafael Abreu, Daniel Peter, and Christine Thomas
Wind Energ. Sci., 7, 1227–1239, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-7-1227-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-7-1227-2022, 2022
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In order to find consensus between wind energy producers and seismologists, we study the possibility of reducing wind turbine noise recorded at seismological stations. We find that drilling half-circular holes in front of the wind turbines helps to reduce the seismic noise. We also study the influence of topographic effects on seismic noise reduction.
Clemens Jonscher, Benedikt Hofmeister, Tanja Grießmann, and Raimund Rolfes
Wind Energ. Sci., 7, 1053–1067, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-7-1053-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-7-1053-2022, 2022
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This work presents a method to use low-noise IEPE sensors in the low-frequency range down to 0.05 Hz. In order to achieve phase and amplitude accuracy with this type of sensor in the low-frequency range, a new calibration procedure for this frequency range was developed. The calibration enables the use of the low-noise IEPE sensors for large structures, such as wind turbines. The calibrated sensors can be used for wind turbine monitoring, such as fatigue monitoring.
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Short summary
Using renewable energy such as wind energy is vital. To optimize the energy yield from wind turbines, they have increased in size, leading to large blade deformations. This paper measures these deformations for different wind loads and the distance between the blade and the tower from 170 m away from the wind turbine. The paper proves that the blade deformation increases in the wind direction with increasing wind speed, while the distance between the blade and the tower decreases.
Using renewable energy such as wind energy is vital. To optimize the energy yield from wind...
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