Peter Jamieson
University of Strathclyde, UK
Title: An Innovative Solution for Large Unit Capacity Wind Energy Converters Offshore
Biography
Biography: Peter Jamieson
Abstract
A 20 MW multi-rotor system, as developed in the Innwind.EU project, comprising 45 wind turbines of 450 kW rating is compared with very large single rotor designs. Having many rotors located on a single support structure, avoids a key upscaling disadvantage of the single large wind turbine. Swept area (energy capture value) increases as a square law whilst mass (cost) increases cubically. Huge savings in the total cost of rotors and drive trains (~80%) result compared to an equivalent single large rotor. Commercial risks (impact of a serial fault in production) are much reduced. Smaller turbines with standardized components, increased production volume and faster product development cycles all enable cost reduction and enhanced reliability. Power performance gains rather than losses in a large array of closely spaced turbines were found using vortex modelling and CFD. Yawing the complete system, comprising a lattice frame with turbines on nacelles tower on a jacket foundation, was determined as feasible and cost effective using a twin bearing system. O&M evaluation considered reliability and availability impacts showing overall cost reduction. An in-built overhead crane system avoids use of large jack-up vessels. A cost model independenly devloped in Innwind to assess a variety of innovations is employed and cost of energy reduction ~ 30% is predicted (without any account of the commercial impact of much reduced project risk). Limitations in the present level of design and analysis are ackowledged. Nevertheless, the MRS concept seems very deserving of accelerated research effort.