Numerical study of the aerodynamic loads on offshoreWind turbines under typhoon with full wind direction

Abstract

Super typhoon activity is likely to make the electric power network fail, or blow the wind-measuring device off, which all lead to the yaw control system of wind turbine being inactive. Under this condition, blades can be blown by the violent side wind from unfavorable directions, and the aerodynamic loads on the wind turbine will be increased by a large amount, which can lead to low-cycle fatigue damage and other catastrophic collapses. So far, not enough consideration has been given to the above problems in wind turbine design. Using the transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD), this study investigates the wind load characteristics of offshore wind turbines under typhoon condition with 360-degree full wind directions. Two primary influence factors of the aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbines are clarified: variation of the wind direction and different parking positions of the wind rotor. Using 3D-numerical simulation results, this study provides detailed references for the ultimate strength and fatigue life in wind turbine design, and presents the best parking position of the wind turbine with a free yawing strategy.