Wind Turbine Design Cost and Scaling Model Page: 7 of 43
This report is part of the collection entitled: Office of Scientific & Technical Information Technical Reports and was provided to UNT Digital Library by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
" Self Erecting Tower and Nacelle Feasibility [4]
" Balance of Station Cost [5]
" Turbine Rotor Design Study [6]
" Drive Train Alternative Design Studies [7] [8]
The scaling relationships developed during these studies also evaluated the relationships
developed in the earlier Sunderland model for use or guidance. Where superior information was
developed during the study efforts, the Sunderland model was abandoned and new relationships
were defined.
In addition to looking at scaling issues, the turbine rotor design study [6] developed structural
models for more than 20 different turbine rotor and tower configurations and determined the
structural and cost impact of these different design configurations. This rotor design study
summarizes the scaling results up to the time of its completion in June 2002. The two alternative
drivetrain design studies extended this work for drivetrains by each exploring a number of
alternative drivetrain (gear box, generator, power converter) configurations at different machine
sizes, and the total impact of these configurations on total COE.
In 2002, the DOE Wind Energy Program began supporting LWST projects. These industry
partnerships extended the work of WindPACT by beginning the development of actual turbine
components and prototypes that would be expected to lower the COE for utility-scale wind
turbines. Several of these projects have been completed, and a number of them are still under
way and provide greater insight into the actual cost of systems and components in the large
machines. Though much of the data from these studies are confidential, the aggregate results can
be used to provide valuable additional data points and cross checks for scaling relationships.
The baseline turbines in all of these studies was a three bladed upwind turbine modeled after the
Zond/Enron/GE machines that evolved into the GE 1.5 MW machine. They are assumed to be
grid-connected, full span pitch controlled, variable speed turbines with active yaw and steel
tubular towers. However, the data for cost and mass of components in each of these studies were
derived independently of any Zond/Enron/GE data. Costs were based on a 50 MW wind farm
composed of machines of mature production installed in the upper Midwest. All cost
calculations were based on a low wind speed site with an annual average wind velocity of 5.8
meters per second with a wind shear of 1/7. A more detailed description of turbines in each
study can be found in the beginning of the study reports identified in the Appendix.
Beginning in late 2005, researchers at NREL's National Wind Technology Center began
developing a spreadsheet model of these scaling relationships to assist in projecting future wind
turbine costs. The purpose of this work was two-fold. First, it was to provide a traceable process
for projecting turbine cost and size impacts for the Government Performance and Results Act
(GPRA). This was to be accomplished by providing detailed reproducible cost models for use in
the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) runs. The second purpose of this work was to
provide a baseline tool for evaluating the impact of machine design and growth on cost for
proposed offshore wind turbine systems.3
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This report can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Report.
Fingersh, L.; Hand, M. & Laxson, A. Wind Turbine Design Cost and Scaling Model, report, December 1, 2006; Golden, Colorado. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc886232/m1/7/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.