Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 6
wind turbines
Lawrence D. Willey
General Electric Energy Wind, USA.
Electric power generation is the single most important factor in the prosperity of
modern man. Yet, increasing concerns over carbon emissions from burning fossil
fuels have brought large-scale renewable energy technologies to the forefront of
technological development. Framework for the successful design and develop-
ment of large wind turbines (WTs) addresses the world's power generation needs.
The motivation for this work, the broad framework for success, the best approach
for product design, various techniques and special considerations, and develop-
ment aspects are presented. Horizontal axis WTs operating inland or in near-shore
applications are specifi cally addressed.
1 Introduction
Supplies of fossil fuels are inadequate to meet the growing need for more power
generation, which is driven by increasing demand for electricity [1, 2]. The hori-
zontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) is one of the most economical forms of modern
power generation. HAWTs have numerous benefi ts: they conserve dwindling fos-
sil fuel resources, reduce harmful emissions, and support a sustainable electric
energy infrastructure for posterity. Large wind turbines (WTs) are an engineering
challenge; they must endure some of the largest numbers of fatigue cycles for
structures while meeting size and cost constraints [49]. New WTs must maximize
reliability, availability, maintenance, and serviceability (RAMS) while having the
lowest cost of energy (CoE) and highest net present value (NPV) for a customer
and an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) [50]. One of the biggest motiva-
tions for accelerating technological development of WTs is in support for the U.S.
20% wind energy by 2030 initiative [3].
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