Multi-disciplinary constrained optimization of wind turbines

C. L. Bottasso, F. Campagnolo, A. Croce

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

101 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe procedures for the multi-disciplinary design optimization of wind turbines, where design parameters are optimized by maximizing a merit function, subjected to constraints that translate all relevant design requirements. Evaluation of merit function and constraints is performed by running simulations with a parametric high-fidelity aeroservo- elastic model; a detailed cross-sectional structural model is used for the minimum weight constrained sizing of the rotor blade. To reduce the computational cost, the multidisciplinary optimization is performed by a multi-stage process that first alternates between an aerodynamic shape optimization step and a structural blade optimization one, and then combines the two to yield the final optimum solution. A complete design loop can be performed using the proposed algorithm using standard desktop computing hardware in onetwo days. The design procedures are implemented in a computer program and demonstrated on the optimization of multi-MW horizontal axis wind turbines and on the design of an aero-elastically scaled wind tunnel model.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)21-53
Number of pages33
JournalMultibody System Dynamics
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aero-servo-elasticity
  • Holistic design
  • Multi-disciplinary optimization
  • Multibody dynamics
  • Wind turbine

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