Within the D4REL project the aim is to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCoE) of an offshore wind turbine by 6.4%. This is realized by looking at the different parts of the wind turbine and analysing those to see where improvements can be done. Four technologies have been developed to reduce the LCoE. These are:
WP1: Electrical generator systems for reliability:
Aim: improving the availability of electrical generator systems by using modular conversion system concepts that are fault tolerant, re-configurable and self-healing.
WP2: Next Generation of Robust Offshore Blades:
Aim: generating the knowledge and design capability that enables the development of the next generation of larger and lighter offshore wind turbine blades that do not rely on failure prone features and thereby lower the cost of energy.
WP3: Reduction of uncertainties by integral substructure design:
Aim: realizing cost reduction in the support structure of offshore wind turbines while keeping a sound, safe and reliable design by using integral probabilistic structural design techniques; developing self-adaptive control algorithms dealing with constantly changing environmental conditions (e.g. water depth changes due to tides and/or scour, ice formation, etc.).
WP4: Self adapting control using system identification for robust control:
Aim: to improve the availability of offshore wind turbines by developing, (a) innovative adaptive controllers that optimize their performance using estimation of time-varying turbine parameters from system identification, and (b) condition based control that delays approaching failures by operating the turbine at reduced loading on parts with deteriorated condition.
In this report a quantitative analysis is performed on the impact of the developed technologies on the Cost of Energy (CoE). This is first done on component level, considering the individual developments in the different work packages (Chapter 2-5). Finally, in Chapter 6-7, the individual improvements are combined to arrive at an estimate of 3.8% of lower CoE on system level.