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Access Type
Open Access
Document Type
thesis
Degree Program
Mechanical Engineering
Degree Type
Master of Science (M.S.)
Year Degree Awarded
2013
Month Degree Awarded
September
Keywords
Multi-Rotor, Wind Turbine, Design, Cost, Scaling, Analysis
Abstract
The current generation wind turbines are upscaled into multi megawatt range in terms of output power. However, the energy benefit from the turbine is offset by the increased mass and cost. Twenty MW wind turbines are now feasible with rotor diameters up to 200 m, according to a new report from the EU-funded UpWind project in 2011. The question is, how much bigger can wind turbines get realistically? One concept worth considering, and the one that is the subject of this thesis, is to have more than one rotor on a single support structure. Such turbines could have a greater power to weight ratio. Multi-rotor systems also offer the advantage of standardization, transportation and ease of installation and maintenance.
In this thesis the NREL 5 MW single rotor baseline wind turbine is compared with a 5 MW multi-rotor wind turbine. The multiple rotors are downscaled using scaling curves keeping the 5 MW baseline machine as reference.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/4460782
First Advisor
James F. Manwell
Second Advisor
Jon G. McGowan
Included in
Computer-Aided Engineering and Design Commons, Energy Systems Commons, Other Engineering Commons, Other Mechanical Engineering Commons, Structural Engineering Commons