Steady Operational Loads

This calculation generates wind turbine loads for a range of wind speeds \(U\) [\(\bunit{m/s}\)]. It also includes the calculation of partial derivatives which are useful for control design, and in particular for gain scheduling.

This calculation generates wind turbine loads as a function of wind speed, assuming uniform steady wind.

Use the Steady loads screen to define the following parameters for the calculation:

• Minimum wind speed: the low wind cut-in speed

• Maximum wind speed: the high wind cut-out speed

• WindCurrent speed step: the wind speed interval required

• Calculate pitch and speed change: select Yes to use the schedule defined by the steady control to define the pitch angle and rotor speed at each wind speed. Select No to calculate a simple power curve at fixed pitch angle and rotor speed:

If No is selected, also supply the following:

• Fixed pitch angle

• Fixed rotational speed of the rotor.

Assumptions

The whole turbine structure is simulated. This calculation will respect the flexibility option specified by the user for the Blade and Tower. The wind speed is assumed uniform across the entire turbine.

To compute a steady state solution for a particular operating point the rotor loading is assumed azimuth independent. A range of features are disabled to make the rotor loading azimuth independent. However drive train tilt is not disabled and neither is the presweep and prebend. These will introduce azimuth dependence in the aerodynamics loading calculation.

Last updated 23-08-2024