Abstract. In this study different multi-rotor wind turbine systems (MRSs) are designed in such a way that the space frame, forming the connection between rotor nacelle assemblies (RNAs) and the tower, is modeled as an ideal truss work. To dimension the tube diameters and wall thicknesses, a simplified load case is used with an adjusted safety factor for loads. This simplified approach allows for fast computations of a large variety of different support structure designs. By variation of rotor number, space frame topology, space frame depth and positioning of yaw bearings, it is possible to gain an understanding of the optimal MRS design. As such, the simplified approach is a preliminary step helping to choose a good design parameter combination for a more detailed and comprehensive analysis.
In this study different multi rotor wind turbine systems (MRSs) are designed in such a way that the space frame, forming the connection between rotor nacelle assemblies (RNAs) and tower, will be modeled and dimensioned as an ideal truss work. The main focus is on multi digit MRSs (MD-MRS) with a high number of rotors. To dimension the tube diameters and wall thicknesses, a simplified load case is used with an adjusted safety factor for loads. Parameters that are varied are the number of rotors, depth of the space frame, as well as the location of the fixed bearing for the yaw system. As such, the simplified approach is a preliminary step helping to choose a good design parameter combination for a more detailed and comprehensive analysis. Buckling is a main design driver, as well as the thrust forces. For a high number of rotors, a fixed bearing position and therefore tower height, halfway through the space frame height seems favorable regarding the cost.
Abstract. In this study different multi rotor wind turbine systems (MRSs) will be designed in such a way that the space frame, forming the connection between rotor nacelle assemblies (RNAs) and tower, will be modeled as an ideal truss work. To dimension the tube diameters and wall thicknesses, a simplified load case will be used with an adjusted safety factor for loads. This simplified approach allows fast computations of a large variety of different support structure designs. By variation of rotor number, space frame topology, space frame depth and the positioning of yaw bearings, it is possible to gain an understanding of the optimal MRS design. As such, the simplified approach is a preliminary step helping to choose a good design parameter combination for a more detailed and comprehensive analysis.
The upscaling of wind turbines results in fewer units per installed MW reducing infrastructure and maintenance costs of offshore wind farms. Multi rotor systems (MRS), comprising many wind turbine rotors on a single support structure, are potentially a means to maximize the upscaling benefit in achieving larger unit capacities than is feasible or economic with the conventional, 3-bladed horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT). The MRS has an inherent upscaling advantage which, for a system with many rotors compared to a single rotor, reduces the total weight and cost of rotor-nacelle assemblies by a large factor. An innovative MRS design is presented based on vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) rotors of the 2-bladed, H-type. Many disadvantages of VAWT design compared to HAWT in a single rotor system (reduced power performance and higher drive train torque, for example) are resolved in the MRS configuration. In addition, reduced component number and simpler components is advantageous for reliability and O&M cost. This MRS concept has many synergies arising from the choice of VAWT rotors. Results comprise a high-level evaluation of system characteristics and the first stage of more detailed investigation of aerodynamics of the high aspect ratio VAWT.
The goal of this study was to introduce a simplified method for preliminary designs of support structures for multi rotor wind turbine systems. We think we achieved that and laid out the groundwork for subsequent, more detailed analyses.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.