This paper is aimed at analysing the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of onshore wind turbine generators (WTGs) that are in operation beyond their design lifetime. In order to do so, the LCOE approach is introduced and input parameters are discussed for a UK deployment. In addition, a methodology is presented to support economic lifetime extension and investment decision making at the end of an asset's design lifetime. As part of a case study, a wind farm consisting of six 900 kW WTGs is subjected to different combinations of i) lifetime extension (5- 15 years), ii) input assumptions (pessimistic, central, optimistic), and iii) re-investment types (retrofits). Results indicate that in the central lifetime extension scenario, LCOE estimates of 22.40 £/MWh are achievable
The degradation of onshore, reinforced-concrete wind turbine foundations is usually assessed via above-ground inspections, or through lengthy excavation campaigns that suspend wind power generation. Foundation cracks can and do occur below ground level, and while sustained measurements of crack behaviour could be used to quantify the risk of water ingress and reinforcement corrosion, these cracks have not yet been monitored during turbine operation. Here, we outline the design, fabrication and field installation of subterranean fibre-optic sensors for monitoring the opening and lateral displacements of foundation cracks during wind turbine operation. We detail methods for in situ sensor characterisation, verify sensor responses against theoretical tower strains derived from wind speed data, and then show that measured crack displacements correlate with monitored tower strains. Our results show that foundation crack opening displacements respond linearly to tower strain and do not change by more than ±5 μm. Lateral crack displacements were found to be negligible. We anticipate that the work outlined here will provide a starting point for real-time, long-term and dynamic analyses of crack displacements in future. Our findings could furthermore inform the development of cost-effective monitoring systems for ageing wind turbine foundations.
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