Optimisation of a steel tower for a wind turbine structure

The main consideration in this wind turbine tower analysis was the use of Finite Element Modelling (FEM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling (CFD). For application, the first wind turbine installation was planned in the hilly region on the banks of the Danube, near Dunaujvaros, where wind speed measurements were recorded from the beginning of 1999. The topographical and wind speed measurement data were used as input for the pre-feasibility study. Flow around the tower was modelled with CFD, with the on-site wind measurement data used as inlet boundary condition for a dynamic system analysis. The aim was to find the most suitable height and cross section for tower design, considering the possible vibrations and torque. The results were verified with wind tunnel and vibration measurements on physical models.

New methods in wind turbine tower design

The policy perspective for RES development in the new member states of the EU

Nowadays, there are significant development projects and ideas related to increasing wind power plant efficiency. In Hungary, wind energy capacity increased between 2006 and 2010. The quota was fulfilled at the end of this period, and there weren't any new investments ever since, even though there would be a huge demand for new projects [12, 13]. A KF *8760 (hrs/year) variable shows the nominal utilization hours, which is hn/year (f.e. 8760 x 0,23 = 2018 hrs/year for a Pn performance). According to domestic calculations, the operation of a wind power plant is economically efficient for a nominal performance (Pn) of 2000hn/year, and the investment returns in 9-10 years with KÁT (feed-in tariff system) subsidy. The current wind energy capacity is 330MW, which is mainly supplied by modern units, designed for the wind patterns unique to Hungary. Energy production is quite good due to this, namely 740 GWh/year, and the capacity factor of 24.1% is good as well, making our system the 4 best in Europe (based on 2012 data). With this, we save about 220 million m of natural gases every year, and avoid ~400 000 tons of CO2 emission [15]. It's a fact that wind power plants after an investment return time of 9-10 years produce cheap energy. From a financial viewpoint, wind power plant utilization is an investment which has one of the most promising perspectives. Our analysis points out that the ambitious project of Hungary, planned to conclude by 2020 namely, increasing the utilization of renewable energy is unlikely to be successful without wind energy utilization. Keywords— Wind Power Plant, Wind Energy Capacity, Cost of Wind Energy, Power Plant Lifetime, Rotor Diameter

Capacity problems and structural Paradoxes of the installed wind power plants in Hungary

The main theme of this article is the economics of wind energy investment in Hungary. The first wind measurements evaluated in conformity with EU standards were made in the centre of Hungary. The first wind turbine installation was planned in the hilly region on the bank of the river Danube near Dunaujvaros. The local wind regime was described with on site measurements and calculations as the first step. The wind speed measurements were carried out from the beginning of 1999. The wind resource is favourable in this part of the country. The results and the feasibility study indicate that the wind power plant installation is feasible and would achieve financial payback of the investment in case of governmental support. Local tower production for local installation has also been investigated.

László Tóth

Papers

The activities in wind energy in Hungary