Validation of a traceable efficiency determination method for wind turbines with a focus on measurement uncertainty

Abstract

Abstract. All around the world, new plans and strategies are being implemented for installing energy-efficient wind turbines in order to increase renewable energy capacities and meet the demand for clean energy. Advances in wind turbine technologies and their extremely sophisticated systems have led to an increasing need for proper efficiency determination methods, both in the field and on test benches, to keep up with the accelerated deployment of wind turbines around the globe. This paper examines the feasibility and practicability of new wind turbine efficiency determination methods on test benches that are based on international standards for electrical machines. Test methods and the static calibration certificates of the employed specialised instruments and sensors were used to evaluate the efficiency and associated measurement uncertainties in ambient conditions. Furthermore, the results were compared with those obtained through the innovative iso-efficiency method, which comprehensively maps the wide operating range of wind turbines.

Authors 7

1. Nijan Yogal corresponding

   Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt

   Affiliation as printed

   Explosion-protected Electrical Drive Systems, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig, 38116, Germany

2. Christian Lehrmann

   Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt

   Affiliation as printed

   Explosion-protected Electrical Drive Systems, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig, 38116, Germany

3. Paula Weidinger

   Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt

   Affiliation as printed

   Realisation of Torque, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig, 38116, Germany

4. Zihang Song

   Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt

   Affiliation as printed

   Realisation of Torque, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig, 38116, Germany

5. Hongkun Zhang

   Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems

   Affiliation as printed

   System Validation Mechanical Drive Train, Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems, Bremerhaven, 27572, Germany

6. Maximilian Zweiffel Aachen Chair for Wind Power Drives (CWD)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair for Wind Power Drives, RHWT Aachen University, Aachen, 52074, Germany

7. Christian Mester

   Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology

   Affiliation as printed

   Eidgenössisches Institut für Metrologie METAS, Bern-Wabern, 3003, Switzerland