Aeroelastic Analysis of Wind Turbine Smart Blades Utilising Multiple Control Surfaces

摘要

The aeroelastic control of wind turbine blades employing active flow controllers is part of an ongoing research effort aiming to alleviate blade loads. Over the past years, the growing body of literature has confirmed the preliminary potential of active flow controllers and, in particular, of control surfaces in relieving wind turbine fatigue and extreme loads. The aim of present research is to investigate the feasibility, design and capability of a multi-component aero-structural load control system utilising light control surfaces such as trailing edge flaps and microtabs. This is achieved through the design of load alleviation control systems, and a detailed understanding of the aeroelastic dynamic of wind turbine blades equipped with control surfaces.ududAs part of this research, a Wind Turbine Aeroelastic Control (WTAC) simulator has been developed. WTAC is the combination of an unsteady aerodynamic module, a structural finite element analysis module, and a control module incorporating the aerodynamic models of control surfaces. The aeroelastic study of the NREL 5MW wind turbine whose blades are equipped with trailing edge flaps and microtabs is carried out using WTAC.