Design and Stability Analysis of an Offshore Floating Multi-Wind Turbine Platform

The multi-wind turbine platform technology has the potential to harness the significant source of offshore wind energy in deep waters. However, the wake interference between the turbines on the multi-wind turbine platform can cause a reduction in power production; hence, it is important to study the wake effects in the initial phase of the design. This paper studies the effects of wake interference between the wind turbines on three different platform configurations to find a suitable configuration for the wind turbines on a multi-turbine platform. The analytical Larsen wake model and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are used for evaluating the wake effects. The platform configuration required for the wind turbines is determined based on the results of wake effects, and then a novel platform is designed. The free-floating stability behavior of the multi-wind turbine platform is analyzed using the hydrostatic analysis of the modeled platform. The wave-body interaction between the platform and the waves is predicted using the hydrodynamic analysis. A preliminary cost analysis of the multi-turbine platform concept is evaluated and compared with a single wind turbine floating concept. The results showed that the presented design is a promising concept that can enhance the offshore wind industry

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Efficiency in Centralized DC Systems Compared with Distributed DC Systems in Photovoltaic Energy Conversion

Photovoltaic (PV) systems produce a significant amount of electrical energy used around the world. The performance of a PV array is affected by temperature, solar insolation, shading and array configuration. Obtainable maximum power generation from PV based energy production systems is only possible with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) methods. In order to maximize the efficiency of PV energy conversion systems, solar panels and arrays should be operated at maximum power points. At maximum power point, solar arrays generate the electric energy at maximum efficiency and minimum losses. This paper discusses the following issues: (1) what is the effect of MPPT unit in PV systems, (2) two connection methods between solar arrays and buck-boost DC/DC converter with MPPT unit, (3) determine behaviours of PV power generation systems in cloudy and sunny conditions

Design of a Robust Adaptive Controller for the Pitch and Torque Control of Wind Turbines

In this paper, robust adaptive control is designed for pitch and torque control of the wind turbines operating under turbulent wind conditions. The dynamics of the wind turbine are formulated by considering the five degrees of freedom system (rotor angle, gearbox angle, generator angle, flap-wise deflection of the rotor blade, and axial displacement of the nacelle). The controller is designed to maintain the rotor speed, maximize the aerodynamic efficiency of the wind turbine, and reduce the loads due to high wind speeds. Gaussian probability distribution function is used for approximating the wind speed, which is given as the disturbance input to the plant. The adaptive control algorithm is implemented to 2 MW and 5 MW wind turbines to test the robustness of the controller for varying parameters. The simulation is carried out using MATLAB/Simulink for three cases, namely pitch control, torque control, and the combined case. A case study is done to validate the proposed adaptive control using real wind speed data. In all the cases, the results indicate that the rotor speed follows the reference speed and show that the designed controller gives a satisfactory performance under varying operating conditions and parameter variations

Remote Data Acquisition Using UAVs and Custom Sensor Node Technology

Precision agriculture technology has advanced rapidly in the 21st century. Despite this, the vast majority of US farmers do not employ any form of precision agriculture. Reasons for this include the high initial cost, lack of internet connectivity in rural areas, and complex setup and operation. The basis of this project was to create a low-cost, energy-efficient data collection system using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as a mobile sink node in a local wireless system. This was accomplished through the design and manufacture of custom sensor nodes and a custom drone-mounted wireless receiver node. The sensor node and drone node enclosures were 3D printed and assembled using low-cost materials and internal components. The system was successfully tested in a field where it collected soil data, including soil moisture, soil temperature, and electrical conductivity. The cost and scalability of the system are discussed, as well as potential improvements and comparisons with existing technologies. The system was concluded to have many potential applications in its current state but with room to expand and improve its operation and features