08-06-2013, 12:19 PM
WIND POWER TODAY & TOMORROW
WIND POWER.pdf (Size: 4.65 MB / Downloads: 185)
INTRODUCTION
In 2003, the U.S. wind generating capacity increased by
more than 30%.Wind power plants of various size now
operate in 32 states with a total generating capacity of
6374 MW of power, enough to meet the energy needs of
more than 3 million homes.The research and development
(R&D) conducted under the U.S.Department of Energy
(DOE) Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program has
been a key element contributing to the rapid growth of
wind energy in the United States. Since the 1970s,DOE
researchers and their industry partners have sought ways
to produce competitive electricity with wind power, and in
the past 30 years, these partnerships have reduced the cost
of wind energy by more than 80%.
While wind energy technologies have come a long way—
from powering farm kitchen radios to powering entire
cities—researchers and industry members see this as a
small fraction of a wind crop that can provide at least 6%
of the nation’s electricity by 2020.The wind farms that have
been built to date primarily take advantage of our country’s
best wind resources (Class 6).However, our nation also
enjoys an abundance of lower-wind-speed resources.
Class 4 wind resources are more common and they are
located closer to the load centers on land and offshore,
making them easier and more economical to develop.To
develop those areas and ensure continued industry growth,
researchers are working to help industry develop technologies
that will be profitable in low wind speed environments.
Boosting Industry Growth through
Public/Private Partnerships
The objective of a subcontract awarded to Clipper Windpower, Inc., as
part of the Phase I research, is to develop a 1.5–2.5-MW Quantum prototype
turbine that will incorporate advanced turbine components projected to
achieve DOE’s low wind speed COE goals.The company is reducing capital
costs through innovative approaches to design and manufacturing processes.
Clipper’s innovative design will include a multiple-generator drivetrain and
advanced controls.They are also exploring a variable diameter rotor for
improved performance in low wind speed areas and are considering
including a self-erecting tower.
Advanced Tower Designs May Reduce Costs
As wind turbines increase in size and rise to greater
heights to take advantage of higher energy winds, their
towers require more materials and comprise a larger percentage
of the project’s cost (18% for today’s machines
and 20%–25% for the multimegawatt machines). Efficient
construction methods can optimize material quantities
and reduce costs.
According to a WindPACT study published in 2001,
traditional towers taller than 65 m (213 ft) present serious
logistical problems during transport and installation.With
traditional tapered steel tower designs, taller towers require
larger base diameters, causing problems and additional
expenses in transport.The taller tapered steel towers also
require large, expensive cranes for construction.