Entry requirements

120 credits in science/engineering including Multivariable Calculus, Electromagnetism, Automatic Control and a basic course in statistics. Participation in Mechanics Basic Course, or it could be taken in parallel. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• judge qualitatively how the terrain influences the wind resource
• calculate and analyse wind resource and energy production for a wind turbine from wind speed distribution, wind shear and power curve
• by and large describe and motivate the design of typical wind turbines
• explain the main differences between horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines regarding design and properties

  make some dimensioning calculations for wind turbines

• describe typical control methods for wind turbines, as well as control problems
• make a simple economical analysis of a wind turbine facility
• give examples of rules (grid code) for connecting wind turbines to an electric grid
• give an account of how wind turbines influence the environment and are influenced by the environment, as well as make some calculations related to environmental impact.

Content

History: early wind power, technical development, influence of society and science

Winds: physical background, energy content, variation in time and in space, geographical resource distribution, influence of terrain, measurement methods, statistical analysis

Turbines: free flow, principles of drag and lift, aerodynamics, design of turbine blades, horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines, Betz' and Glauert's turbine theories, the BEM method

Mechanics: static and dynamic loads (oscillations), rotor dynamics, solid mechanics, mechanical

modelling, aeroelasticity

Electric generation: synchronous/ asynchronous generators, winding/ permanent magnetised generators, constant/ variable speed, transformers, power electronics, power converters

Design: horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines, blades, control mechanisms, drive train, tower,

nacelle, foundation, choice of materials, manufacture, adaptation to different climates

Control: control targets, system modelling, control strategies (pitch and stall regulation), hardware

Systems: wind power parks, transports, erection, grid connection, operation, maintenance

Economy: financing, investment, costs during the life time of a wind turbine, value of wind energy, business and market overview

Society: environmental issues, law, forms of government support, technical aspects of environment

Small scale wind power: technology, economy, paths of development

Instruction

Lectures, lessons, laboratory work (1 credit), project work (1.5 credits) and study visit(s).

The teaching is done in English.

Assessment

Written exam with theoretical questions and calculation tasks (7.5 credits out of 10 credits).

Laboratory course (1 credit out of 10 credits).

Grade levels on the laboratory course: U, G (passed)

Project work (1.5 credits out of 10 credits)

Grade levels on the project work: U, G

To pass the course, it is also required that the laboratory course and the project work (oral presentation and written report, both in English) have been passed.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.