Abstract. This paper presents the state-of-the-art technologies and development trends of wind turbine drivetrains – the system that converts kinetic energy of the wind to electrical energy – in different stages of their life cycle: design, manufacturing, installation, operation, lifetime extension, decommissioning and recycling. Offshore development and digitalization are also a focal point in this study. Drivetrain in this context includes the whole power conversion system: main bearing, shafts, gearbox, generator and power converter. The main aim of this article is to review the drivetrain technology development as well as to identify future challenges and research gaps. The main challenges in drivetrain research identified in this paper include drivetrain dynamic responses in large or floating turbines, aerodynamic and farm control effects, use of rare-earth material in generators, improving reliability through prognostics, and use of advances in digitalization. These challenges illustrate the multidisciplinary aspect of wind turbine drivetrains, which emphasizes the need for more interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
WEC is an aggressive and unpredictable failure mode affecting bearings in particular in the wind energy sector. This paper focuses on the most common used method for WEC laboratory accelerated testing, the FE8 type test rigs using martensitic through hardened 100Cr6 cylindrical roller thrust bearings, analyzing the load conditions, test results and damage quantification. The surface and subsurface stress conditions as well as the surface frictional loading were analyzed using a half-space model. Simulations and experiments were conducted under different load conditions, including tests with different number of rollers and tests using dynamic load and speed. Tests under constant loads show a low load influence and prove that a WEC failure can occur both prematurely and after exceeding the rated lifetime. Dynamic conditions did not accelerate WEC failure, and only rollers (not washers) were affected by WEC under dynamic loading conditions. Damage characterization was performed using optical microscopy and ultrasound scanning. Advanced image analysis based on characterization of defect regions in the ultrasound scans was used for quantifying the subsurface damage. Tests showed WEC failure could be achieved consistently, however there were seemingly large random variations in the observed damage.
Abstract. This paper presents the state-of-the-art technologies and development trends of wind turbine drivetrains – the energy conversion systems transferring the kinetic energy of the wind to electrical energy – in different stages of their life cycle: design, manufacturing, installation, operation, lifetime extension, decommissioning, and recycling. Offshore development and digitalization are also a focal point in this study. The main aim of this article is to review the drivetrain technology development as well as to identify future challenges and research gaps. Drivetrain in this context includes the whole power conversion system: main bearing, shafts, gearbox, generator, and power converter. The paper discusses current design technologies for each component along with advantages and disadvantages. The discussion of the operation phase highlights the condition monitoring methods currently employed by the industry as well as emerging areas. This article also illustrates the multidisciplinary aspect of wind turbine drivetrains, which emphasizes the need for more interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
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