Wind Energy Handbook
Sep 18 - International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education
T. Burton, D. Sharps, N. Jenkinsand E. Bossanyi, Wind Energy Handbook,Wileey, 2001,642 pp., 85.
Where the book really starts to get into its stride is its treatment of the
aerodynamics of wind turbines. This section gets very mathematical very quickly
and demands close attention by the reader. It begins with relatively simple
actuator disc theory, through blade element momentum theory and on to the effect
of tip losses. A detailed analysis is given of yawed flow and the reader is then
introduced to the acceleration potential method developed from the study of
helicopter rotors allowing a more detailed picture of the pressure drop across a
wind turbine rotor than would be allowed from simple actuator disc theory. The
section on aerodynamics then rounds off with a look at unsteady flow across a
wind turbine rotor. This very well written and comprehensive section of the book
is slightly spoilt by a number of typographical errors in some of the equations.
The next part of the book deals with wind turbine performance introducing the
ubiquitous C^sub p^-[lambda] curve to describe power performance. The reader is
introduced to the various ways in which wind turbines are regulated including
pitching to feather and pitching to stall. Finally, this section deals with the
testing of wind turbines in the field and the associated standards. The book
then moves on to a very detailed description of the structural aspects of wind
turbines covering the various design loads experienced by a horizontal axis
machine, including extreme loads, fatigue loading, stationary blade loading and
loading during normal operation. A good analysis of the dynamic response of
tower and blades including teetering motion then follows.
A less mathematical section follows which describes how and why wind turbines
are designed as they are, including the pros and cons of different types of
power regulation, fixed and variable speed wind turbines, synchronous and
induction generators, drive train logistics and upwind versus downwind
configurations. The next section deals with the design of the different
components of a wind turbine focussing on the blades but also touching on the
rotor, gearbox, generator, brakes, yaw mechanism, tower and foundations. The
book now moves on to the electrical aspects of wind turbines focussing on the
turbine controller and its design to facilitate the different methods of power
control and power quality.
At this point, the book focuses on the planning aspects of wind farms, taking
some examples from the WindFarm computer program written by ReSoft. This section
also covers the analysis of noise and electromagnetic interference from wind
turbines. The section is rounded off by a brief look at finance and funding
mechanisms for wind turbines looking mainly at the UK. The book concludes with a
look at the electrical grid aspects of wind turbines when embedded in
distribution networks covering such topics as power quality, electrical
protection, lightning protection, connection charging and the impact on the
system.
This book gives the reader a very rounded introduction to wind turbines at
both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The coverage of aerodynamics and
structural dynamics of wind turbines is quite specialist and very mathematical
and is most suited for students at the postgraduate and research level. The
price tag of 85 may seem a little high but represents good value for money for a
book of this detail. This is an essential textbook for those who wish for a
better understanding of the field of wind energy.
Simon Watson Loughborough University
Copyright Manchester University Press Jan 2004