Study on the Dynamic Characteristics of a Wind Turbine Tower Based on Wind Tunnel Experiments

Yong Yao, Chi Yu, Mumin Rao, Zhaowei Wang, Xugang Hua and Chao Chen ()
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Yong Yao: Guangdong Energy Group Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510630, China
Chi Yu: Guangdong Energy Group Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510630, China
Mumin Rao: Guangdong Energy Group Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510630, China
Zhaowei Wang: State Key Laboratory of Bridge Safety and Resilience, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Xugang Hua: State Key Laboratory of Bridge Safety and Resilience, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Chao Chen: State Key Laboratory of Bridge Safety and Resilience, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-20

Abstract: This study aims to comprehensively investigate the dynamic characteristics of the tower of a scaled wind turbine model through wind tunnel tests. A model was scaled from the NREL 5 MW prototype wind turbine with a geometric scale ratio of 1/75, based on the similarity rules in thrust coefficient and dynamic characteristics. A series of wind tunnel tests were carried out on the scaled wind turbine model under different operating conditions and parked conditions with different yaw angles, and the modal parameters of the scaled model were identified by the stochastic subspace identification method and rotor stop tests. It was found that the vibration response of the tower in the fore–aft direction achieved its maximum value when the yaw angle was 90° with feathered blades, while the tower vibration response in the side–side direction was relatively severe with the yaw angle ranging from 10° to 50°. These observations are found to be well aligned with the aerodynamic characteristics of the airfoil. Moreover, the experimental results indicate that the scaled wind turbine model can reflect the vibration responses of its full-scale counterpart in the fore–aft direction. The natural frequencies and mode shapes of the scaled model can be accurately identified by different methods, but the identified damping ratios are relatively scattered.

Keywords: wind turbine; wind tunnel test; modal identification; dynamic characteristic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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