Wind Turbine Technology

In this course, you will be introduced to wind turbine technology. You will get a general introduction to different wind turbine components and wind turbine concepts. Furthermore, your will learn to describe, calculate, and evaluate the components and concepts based on basic knowledge in different engineering disciplines. During the course, you will work with the following:

• General introduction of wind turbine systems
• Specific wind turbine terminology
• Aerodynamics
• Aeroelasticity
• Structural design and structural mechanics
• Electrical systems
• Wind turbine control
• Wind turbine loads - Levelized cost of energy This course is concluded with a written exam, conducted online. You can follow the course as a single course or as part of the full professional Master programme in Wind Energy (60 ECTS in total).

After the course you will be able to: describe basic wind turbine concepts and components using specific terminology, determine and calculate aerodynamic loads on a wind turbine rotor, calculate power and thrust as function of wind speed, describe different aeroelastic stabilities, wind conditions and wind turbine design load cases and methods to calculate aeroelastic loads, distinguish and describe wind turbine fatigue and ultimate loads, distinguish different load sources, explain the wind turbine responses and describe the load path on wind turbines, explain conversion of wind flow power to electrical power as well as different control strategies (passive stall, active stall and pitch control strategies), explain different control options and calculate related parameters, explain and illustrate the principle of different generator types and main electrical system types of wind turbines, explain, calculate and formulate material selection criteria and basic structural design principles related to wind turbines, describe, explain and calculate structural design features related to different parts of a wind turbine blade, explain and apply the basics of classical laminate theory, explain the concept of LCoE models, identify the main cost driver for onshore/offshore wind turbines sites, calculate the LCoE for a simple onshore/offshore wind turbine site, compare the cost of onshore/offshore wind turbines sites, identify the relative potential for future LCoE reductions.

Graded

Admission to the course requires a BSc or BEng degree or higher and at least, two years of relevant working experience. The relevant working experience could be – but is not necessarily restricted to – employment in: The wind energy industry/Oil and gas companies/Shipping companies/Companies performing environmental assessment/Public agencies with responsibilities related to engineering and natural sciences. We strongly recommend that you have mathematics and programming skills equivalent to BSc. or BEng. level or higher.