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Testing of Small
Wind Turbines
October 2012
Volume 6 Issue 2
31
RE Feature
x blade
y shaft
x shaft
October 2012
Volume 6 Issue 2
z shaft
32
RE Feature
b. Mechanical load testing,
c. Mechanical component testing,
d. Environmental testing, and,
e. Tests on electrical sub-systems.
Tests to Verify Design Data: The design of the SWT is
quantified ultimately by the dimensions and the specification
of the operation of the individual components and hence the
tests which can be performed in-house by the manufacturer
to verify:
Designed power at rated wind speed,
Designed rpm,
Designed shaft torque at rated wind speed,
Maximum rpm, and,
Maximum yaw rate.
These verifications result in the appropriate technical
specification details finalised for the designed model.
Mechanical Load Testing: Since the material used in the
construction of the SWT, by virtue of its properties, has
to be capable enough to withstand the load flow occurring
during its operations; one critical test that has to be done
is to determine the loads induced at critical locations in
the structure along with the meteorological parameters
and SWT operational data (rotor speed, electrical power,
yaw position, turbine status). The loads may include blade
root bending moments, shaft loads and loads acting on the
support structure. These tests needs to be performed as per
IEC 61400-13[5].
Mechanical Component Testing: This procedure includes
tests carried on the load carrying components such as the
blade, hub, nacelle frame, yaw mechanism and gearbox.
These tests can be performed in-house by the
manufacturer. The resulting data from these tests provide
the concise picture of the components of capabilities and
whether they live up to the design requirements envisioned
on the design stage; in effect ensuring the reliability of
components.
Environmental Testing: If the SWT is designed for
external conditions such as extreme cold, hot, desert/
dusty conditions outside the normal external conditions,
the turbine shall be subjected to tests simulating those
conditions, thus ensuring that the design adequacy in these
spheres are verified.
Tests on Electrical Sub-Systems: Tests shall be carried
on all safety critical electrical sub-systems of the turbine
such as the electrical generators/alternators, electronic
sub-systems, etc. in compliance with the relevant IEC and
national standards.
Type Tests
October 2012
Volume 6 Issue 2
33
RE Feature
Fig 2. Type tests of SWTs
Type test
conformity statement
Safety
function
test
Other test
environmental
(optional)
Duration
test
34
October 2012
Volume 6 Issue 2
Duration Testing
This test is performed at the end of all the tests and is based
mostly on the visual observations at that point of time. The
Fig 3. Power Curve of a SWT
0.7
Electrical Power (P. U.)
Power
performance
test
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0
10
20
30
RE Feature
25 hours of power production in winds of 1.8 Vave and
above, where Vave is the annual average wind speed at
hub height. The Vave value is determined by the SWT
class under which the turbine falls. Reliable operation
means operational time fraction of at least 90 per cent
without the following events:
No major failure of the turbine or components in the
turbine system,
Significant wear, corrosion or damage to turbine
components, and,
Significant degradation of produced power at
comparable wind speeds.
Measurements that will be taken during the duration
test are power production, turbine operational time
fraction, and wind speed consisting of 10-minute
average, turbulence intensity and wind direction. Power
is measured by a power transducer at the point of
connection to the electrical load. To check any hidden
degradation in power performance, the power levels
shall be binned by wind speed every month. The binned
power levels shall be plotted as a function of time for each
wind speed and any visible trends shall be investigated.
At the completion of the duration test, a detailed
component wear and durability check for the entire
turbine will be conducted. It will include a visual
assessment of the structural integrity and material
degradation (corrosion, cracks, and deformations).
Conclusion
Inviting
articles for
Akshay Urja
The need to have a sustainable supply
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It is now an established fact that RE
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Today RE is an established sector with a
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mass awareness about their adoption.
Akshay Urja is an attempt to fulfil this
need through the dissemination of 20,000
copies in India and abroad. The magazine
publishes news, articles, research papers,
case studies, success stories, and writeups on RE. Readers are invited to send
material with original photographs and
statistical data. The photographs should
be provided in high resolution files on a
CD or through email. Akshay Urja will
pay a suitable honorarium to the authors
for each published article of 1500 words
and above. The publication material in
two copies, along with a soft copy on CD/
DVD/e-mail may be sent to
Editor, Akshay Urja
Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy
Issue 2
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