Project: Wind energy optimization by numerical wind modelling
Accurate wind simulations the key to success within wind energy_x000D__x000D_For many industries, precise knowledge of local wind conditions is crucial for their business performance. This is particularly true in the wind energy sector, where the technical and financial viability of wind farm developments is heavily dependent on the wind conditions. _x000D__x000D_Wind simulation software – Our position_x000D__x000D_We have created WindSim, the most accurate wind simulation software available in the market. WindSim is the result of more than ten years of research and development at WindSim AS. The software was launched in 2003 as an off-the-shelf PC program for industry professionals. Today WindSim is used by turbine manufacturers, developers and consulting companies. Among our users we count leading manufacturers such as Enercon, Gamesa, GE Energy, Siemens, Suzlon and Vestas, likewise leading developers like Enel, Iberdrola and Vattenfall._x000D__x000D_Key observation_x000D__x000D_The energy content in a wind field is proportional with the wind speed in third cube. Hence, a 10% increase of the wind speed gives 30% more energy output. This extreme sensitivity on the wind speed yields significant variation in the production from the various turbines within a wind farm. There is a great potential of energy optimization with accurate wind simulation software._x000D__x000D_Current situation_x000D__x000D_A simplified method for wind modelling was developed in Denmark in the 1980s. This method works well only in flat terrain. Nevertheless, it has become the industry standard, used in all terrain situations. It is well know that the simplified method introduces large inaccuracies in complex terrain, and even in fairly simple terrain. _x000D__x000D_Our vision - a new industry standard based on CFD_x000D__x000D_WindSim AS established the Norwegian Wind Atlas in 1998. During this project the methodology in WindSim was set forth. WindSim is based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) a method for solving the three-Dimensional Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations. WindSim can be used in complex terrain and with challenging climatologically conditions._x000D__x000D_Realizing our vision_x000D__x000D_The current industry standard is easy to use; it is robust and fast in terms of simulation time. The CFD method has to improve on: user friendliness, robustness, speed and accuracy. With the Eurostars project we can realize our vision. The WPs are divided in three groups: _x000D__x000D_1) CFD innovations _x000D__x000D_Synthesizing advanced simulation and remote sensing results, actuator disk wake modelling (modelling of the reduced wind speed area downstream of a wind turbine) and production prognosis based on coupling with Numerical Weather Models are all examples of innovative use of CFD. These tasks are addressed in WPs 2 to 4._x000D__x000D_2) CFD – the new industry standard_x000D__x000D_An improved CFD application, handling the special requirements seen within the wind sector; will be developed. Robustness, speed and accuracy are issues addressed in WPs 5 to 8._x000D__x000D_3) Validation_x000D__x000D_WP 9 concerns validation, it will run through the whole project period._x000D__x000D_Market_x000D__x000D_Europe is still an important market in terms of installed capacity, but the markets in North America, China and India show impressive growth rates. WindSim AS has distributors in 4 countries, and branch offices in Italy and USA._x000D__x000D_Project consortium_x000D__x000D_The project consortium consists of WindSim AS (Norway) as CO participant and CHAM Ltd (UK) and IBERDROLA Ingeniería (Spain) as Ps._x000D__x000D_VECTOR AS, the predecessor of WindSim AS, was founded in 1993. The business idea is to offer consulting services, research and development within Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD. Since 1997 all resources within the company have been focused towards the wind energy sector. In 2005 the company name was changed from VECTOR AS to WindSim AS aligned with the strategy of making the software WindSim the core of the business._x000D__x000D_CHAM Ltd business is, and has been since the 1970s, the provision of software and related services concerned with the computer simulation of processes involving of fluids, together with the stresses and temperatures in solids in contact with them. PHOENICS is its principal software product, a general-purpose CFD package, first launched in 1981 and still pioneering new features._x000D__x000D_Iberdrola is Spain’s number one energy group, one of the five largest electricity companies in the world and a world leader in wind power. Iberdrola has established itself as one of the four largest energy companies in the world by market capitalization._x000D__x000D_IBERDROLA Ingeniería y Construcción S.A a wholly owned subsidiary of Iberdrola, and it is the branch of Iberdrola Group which develops all the technical works related to renewable energy projects._x000D__x000D_The aim of this project is to engage WindSim AS, with its expertise within CFD based wind resource assessment, CHAM Ltd, with its expertise within CFD and Iberdrola as wind farm developer into a common R&D project. The outcome will be innovative software for wind energy optimization.
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Acronym
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WINDSIM
(Reference Number: 5150)
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Duration
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07/06/2010 - 07/12/2011
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Project Topic
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The goal of this project is to make innovative wind modelling software. A CFD based software will set a new industry standard within the wind energy sector. Accurate knowledge of the wind conditions is of utmost importance for optimization of the energy output from wind turbines.
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Network
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Eurostars
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Call
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Eurostars Cut-Off 3
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Project partner
