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Investigation of main bearing fatigue estimate sensitivity to synthetic turbulence models using a novel drivetrain model implemented in OpenFAST
  • +3
  • Veronica Liverud Krathe,
  • Jason Jonkman,
  • Jakob Gebel,
  • Irene Rivera-Arreba,
  • Amir Nejad,
  • Erin E. Bachynski-Polić
Veronica Liverud Krathe
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet Institutt for marin teknikk

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jason Jonkman
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
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Jakob Gebel
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet Institutt for marin teknikk
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Irene Rivera-Arreba
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet Institutt for marin teknikk
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Amir Nejad
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet Institutt for marin teknikk
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Erin E. Bachynski-Polić
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet Institutt for marin teknikk
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Abstract

A coupled medium-fidelity drivetrain model is developed and implemented in OpenFAST for a 10-MW land-based reference turbine. The implementation is verified against a fully coupled multibody wind turbine model, including a detailed drivetrain. The new model can simultaneously and accurately estimate main bearing loads and represent elastic bending of the drivetrain. It has low computational cost, useful for early design phases, sensitivity analyses and complex systems like wind farms (where computational expense must be expended elsewhere). Here, the model is extended to a monopile offshore wind turbine and used to investigate sensitivity of predicted main bearing rolling contact fatigue to different synthetic turbulence models. Large eddy simulations (LES) intentionally targeting stable, neutral, and unstable atmospheric conditions at below-, near- and above-rated wind speeds, were used as a reference. The turbulence models recommended by IEC, the Mann spectral tensor model and the Kaimal spectral model with exponential coherence, were fitted to the LES data. Additionally, a constrained turbulence generator, PyConTurb, based on LES data, was applied in the aero-hydro-servo-elastic simulations. Taking PyConTurb as the baseline, the Kaimal model significantly underestimates fatigue of the downwind main bearing, with between 10 and 40% less damage. The Mann model also underestimates the downwind main bearing fatigue with up to 30%. The upwind main bearing damage is driven by mean loads, and differences between models are less significant, although the trends are similar. Reasons for these discrepancies are investigated and attributed to differences in spatial and temporal variations among the turbulence models.
22 Mar 2024Submitted to Wind Energy
22 Mar 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Apr 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Aug 20241st Revision Received
21 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
21 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
21 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Sep 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
22 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
28 Oct 20242nd Revision Received
28 Oct 2024Submission Checks Completed
28 Oct 2024Assigned to Editor
28 Oct 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending