Fachhochschule Stralsund 01.02.

2017
Fachbereich Elektrotechnik und Informatik
Prof. Dr.-Ing. M. Bierhoff

Examination
„Wind Power Plants“
for RenCourse and ETM

Duration: 120 min

Permitted auxiliary means: Handwritten set of formulas (two pages of DIN/A4)
mathematical formula collection
pocket calculator

Surname:

Name:

Matr.Nr.:
________________________________________________________________

page 1 of 4
1. Wind measurement and statistics

A wind power plant with a rotor diameter dR should be designed. A weather station
next to the location where the designated WPP should be erected measures the wind
speed by means of a 2D ultrasonic anemometer (see fig. 1.1) at an altitude of hM.
The corresponding runtime differences for one measurement sequence are given in
the table below.

Measurement Runtime / µs

t1 551,0

t2 566,7

t3 619,3

t4 600,7

Fig. 1.1: Set up of ultrasonic anemometer

Diameter of designated wind power plant rotor: dR = 25 m

Mean wind speed at WPP: v1mean = 30 km/h
Distance between transducers of ultrasonic anemometer: d = 0,2 m
Density of dry air: ρ = 1,29 kg/m3

1.1 Determine the current speed of sound c.

1.2 Determine the current wind speed v1 as a two dimensional vector (by magnitude
and angle) according to the measurement results of the anemometer.

The mean wind speed at hub altitude has been determined as v1mean (see above). A
Rayleigh frequency distribution can be assumed for the wind speed at the given
premises.

Consider the following integral solution for the next task:

3 π −2
3
∞
−x v2
2∫ xv ⋅ e
4
dv ≈ x
0 4
1.3 If you assume a Rayleigh frequency distribution (probability density) for the
considered WPP location, what would be the annual energy yield Ea to be ex-
pected from the designated WPP in case of uninterrupted continuous service?

page 2 of 4
2. Rotor construction and aerodynamics

Consider a wind power plant with following rotor data.

Number of blades z=2

Inner radius of blades Ri → 0
Outer radius of blades Ro = 10 m
Density of dry air: ρ = 1,29 kg/m3
Design tip speed ratio: λA = 5
Current wind speed way before rotor: v1 = 30 km/h
Lift force coefficient: cA = 1,5 ≈ 2π α = const.
Drag force coefficient: cW = 0,01 = const.

2.1 What is the optimal rotational speed of the rotor shaft at given wind speed v1?

2.2 Determine the surface area of a rotor blade designed according to the Schmitz
criteria. Use the diagram depicted in fig. 2.1 for your solution.

2.3 What is the corresponding total blade twist angle at the blade tip?

2.4 The Schmitz power factor can roughly be expressed by the following approach:
cpSchmitz = cpBetz (1 – e-λA). Calculate the total mechanical wind power Pd ex-
tracted taking the wake rotation and aerodynamical losses into account.

The rotor of the wind power plant with the data given above shall be optimized in
terms of minimal aerodynamic losses. Use the rule of thumb derived with regard of
profile and tip losses only.

2.5 What mechanical wind power extraction Pd could be expected now?

2
1 1  1 
∫ sin 3 arctan xy   xdx
0   

y
Fig. 2.1: Numerical solution of integral

page 3 of 4
3. Electrical drive train

A wind power plant with linearized torque coefficient function (see below) shall be
operated with an induction generator. The induction generator with given data below
shall be directly coupled to the utility grid with nominal electrical parameters (Danish
principle).

cMlin(λ) = d + e λ

Rotor and wind data:

Constant d: d = 0,1
Coefficient e: e = -0,005
Rotor radius: R = 10 m
Density of dry air: ρ = 1,29 kg/m3
Mean wind speed: v1mean = 10 m/s

Machine data:
Maximum (pull-out) torque at nominal stator voltage / frequency: MkN = 1000 Nm
Rotational speed at max. torque and nominal stator
voltage / frequency: nkN = 1000 min-1
Stator resistance: R1 = 0
Pole pair number: p=2
Idle speed: n0 = 1500 min-1

3.1 Determine λA = λA(Pd,max) as tip speed ratio where the maximum power can be
expected.

3.2 What would be the appropriate gear box ratio i were the entire set up is oper-
ated at best aero-dynamical efficiency if mean wind speed v1mean is assumed?
What would be the corresponding torque at the rotor shaft M(Pd,max) and power
value Pd,max? Note: Assume the following approach (with nmax = n(Pd,max)):

ρ − 2i
π R 3 v12 (d + eλ A (Pd ,max )) = M (Pd ,max ) = M kN
2 f 1N − pn kN f − pin max
+ 1N
f1N − pin max f 1N − pn kN
− 2i
≈ M kN ( f1N − pinmax )
f 1N − pnkN

where f1N, nominal electrical stator frequency (50 Hz)

nmax, mechanical rotor speed at max. power Pd,max
i, gear box ratio (to be determined)

3.3 Determine the actual slip of the induction machine s for a new load torque of
M = 500 Nm at machine shaft side.

3.4 Calculate the electrical power Pel that would be processed to the utility grid for
the operation point proposed above in 3.3.

Good luck!

page 4 of 4