Determining wind turbine power curves based on operating conditions

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

L. T. Paiva (Author) FEUP; C. Veiga Rodrigues (Author) FEUP; J .M. L. M. Palma (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Wind Energy

Vol. 17 No. 10

Pages: 1563-1575

ISSN: 1095-4244

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 16 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 21 Citations

INSPEC

COMPENDEX

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Mechanical engineering

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Mechanical engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-SY8

DOI: 10.1002/we.1651

Abstract (EN): The relation between wind speed and electrical power—the power curve—is essential in the design, management and power forecasting of a wind farm. The power curve is the main characteristic of a wind turbine, and a procedure is presented for its determination, after the wind turbine is installed and in operation. The procedure is based on both computational and statistical techniques, in situ measurements, nacelle anemometry and operational data. This can be an alternative or a complement to procedures fully based on field measurements as in the International Electrotechnical Commission standards, reducing the time and costs of such practices. The impact of a more accurate power curve was measured in terms of the prediction error of a wind power forecasting system over 1 year of operation, whereby the methodology for numerical site calibration was presented and the concepts of ideal power curve and nacelle power curve introduced. The validation was based on data from wind turbines installed at a wind farm in complex topography, in Portugal, providing a real test of the technique presented here. The contribution of the power curve to the wind power forecasting uncertainty was found to be from 10% to 15% of the root mean square error.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific