Sensitivity analysis of a Ground-Gen Airborne Wind Energy System design

Abstract

The architecture of a new multidisciplinary design and optimization framework for rigid wing Airborne Wind Energy Systems, named T-GliDe, is introduced and a Ground-Gen AWES is analyzed to illustrate the features of the design approach. T-GliDe features an optimization module and an uncertainty quantification module, allowing for a number of algorithm-based design techniques. T-GliDe performs an AWES design optimizing market-based objective functions, while satisfying constraints related to fight stability. The fight dynamics is modelled with analytical aerodynamic theories, allowing for fast and consistent design evaluations, without the use of time simulation codes and thus of active control. In this work, a reduced optimization problem is run to find optimal working-set points of a Ground-Gen AWES with respect to power production. The reel-out factor and the pitch angle as function of wind speed are considered as design variables and output trends are shown. A variance based sensitivity analysis is then run to investigate how the rigid body eigenvalues are influenced by a set of independent variables. Among the chosen independent variables, a sub-set of variables which bear an impact on the dynamics is identified and they will be considered in future design and optimization activities as design variables.