Turbine Efficiency 2: A Comprehensive Guide to Measuring Wind Turbine Performance

Turbine efficiency 2, also known as the productive efficiency metric, is a crucial measure of a wind turbine’s performance that takes into account the entire valid wind spectrum, from the cut-in wind speed to the cut-out wind speed. This metric provides a more comprehensive assessment of a turbine’s efficiency compared to the peak power coefficient, as it integrates over a wider range of wind speeds.

Understanding Turbine Efficiency 2

Turbine efficiency 2 is calculated using data from wind turbine control systems, such as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and field measurements. The data used in the calculation includes:

  1. Wind speed: The wind speed at the turbine’s hub height.
  2. Standard deviation of wind speeds: The variability of wind speeds, which can impact turbine performance.
  3. Pitch positions of the blades and the pitch reference: The angle of the turbine blades, which affects power generation.
  4. Yaw position: The orientation of the turbine relative to the wind direction.
  5. Generator RPM: The rotational speed of the generator, which is linked to power output.
  6. Main shaft RPM: The rotational speed of the turbine’s main shaft, which drives the generator.
  7. Power output: The electrical power generated by the turbine at a specific height.

Calculating Turbine Efficiency 2

turbine efficiency 2

To calculate the productive efficiency, the raw performance data of the turbine is first cleaned to remove outliers. This is an essential step to ensure the accuracy of the calculations. Next, a deep neural network (DNN) model is used to estimate the age-related performance degradation of the turbine based on the cleaned data.

The efficiency index for quantifying the age-related performance deficit is defined as the ratio of the actual power output of the turbine to the predicted power output based on the DNN model. This index provides a quantitative measure of the turbine’s performance degradation over time.

The formula for calculating the turbine efficiency 2 is:

Turbine Efficiency 2 = (Actual Power Output) / (Predicted Power Output)

where the predicted power output is based on the DNN model’s estimation of the turbine’s performance.

Advantages of Turbine Efficiency 2

Turbine efficiency 2 has several advantages over the peak power coefficient:

  1. Wider Wind Spectrum Coverage: Turbine efficiency 2 takes into account the entire valid wind spectrum, from the cut-in wind speed to the cut-out wind speed, providing a more comprehensive assessment of the turbine’s performance.
  2. Sensitivity to Performance Changes: The productive efficiency metric is more sensitive in measuring a turbine’s performance change than the peak power coefficient, as it integrates over a wider range of wind speeds.
  3. Age-related Performance Degradation Estimation: The efficiency index derived from the turbine efficiency 2 calculation can be used to estimate the age-related performance degradation of the turbine, which is crucial for maintenance and optimization strategies.

Practical Applications of Turbine Efficiency 2

Turbine efficiency 2 has several practical applications in the wind energy industry:

  1. Performance Monitoring: The productive efficiency metric can be used to continuously monitor the performance of wind turbines, allowing for early detection of performance degradation and the implementation of preventive maintenance strategies.
  2. Turbine Optimization: By analyzing the turbine efficiency 2 data, wind farm operators can identify opportunities to optimize turbine performance, such as adjusting blade pitch, yaw, or other operational parameters.
  3. Asset Management: The efficiency index derived from the turbine efficiency 2 calculation can be used to inform asset management decisions, such as the timing of major component replacements or the need for repowering.
  4. Benchmarking and Comparison: Turbine efficiency 2 can be used to benchmark the performance of different turbine models or wind farms, enabling more informed decision-making in turbine selection and wind farm development.

Conclusion

Turbine efficiency 2, or the productive efficiency metric, is a comprehensive measure of a wind turbine’s performance that takes into account the entire valid wind spectrum. By using data from wind turbine control systems and field measurements, this metric provides a more sensitive and accurate assessment of a turbine’s performance compared to the peak power coefficient. The practical applications of turbine efficiency 2 in performance monitoring, turbine optimization, asset management, and benchmarking make it a valuable tool for wind farm operators and the broader wind energy industry.

Reference:

  1. Ding, Y., Barber, S., & Hammer, F. (2022). Data-Driven wind turbine performance assessment and quantification using SCADA data and field measurements. Frontiers in Energy Research, 10, 1050342. doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2022.1050342
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  4. A production economics analysis for quantifying the efficiency of wind turbines. (2017). Wind Energy, 20(4), 859-871. doi: 10.1002/we.2105
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