This book reconsiders the basic approaches behind the BEM method and in particular assesses and validates the equations forming the general momentum theory. One part of the book concerns the validation, using numerical fluid mechanics (CFD), of the different terms in the equations forming the momentum theory. Other parts present new ideas for extending the theory and for enhancing the accuracy of the BEM approach. Besides a general introduction and explanation of the momentum theory, the book also deals with specialized topics, such as diffusor-augmented rotors, wind tunnel corrections, tip corrections, and combined momentum/vortex theory for design of wind turbine rotors. The book contains new as well as already published material, and the author has strived to put the material into a new and more consistent context than what usually is found in similar text books. The book is primarily intended for researchers and experienced students with a basic knowledge in fluid mechanics wishing to understand and expand their knowledge on wind turbine aerodynamics. The book is self-consistent, hence all necessary derivations are shown, and it should not be necessary to seek help in other literature to understand the contents of the book.

Explains the key aspects of wind turbine technology and its application in a single readable text.

Wind energy’s bestselling textbook- fully revised. This must-have second edition includes up-to-date data, diagrams, illustrations and thorough new material on: the fundamentals of wind turbine aerodynamics; wind turbine testing and modelling; wind turbine design standards; offshore wind energy; special purpose applications, such as energy storage and fuel production. Fifty additional homework problems and a new appendix on data processing make this comprehensive edition perfect for engineering students. This book offers a complete examination of one of the most promising sources of renewable energy and is a great introduction to this cross-disciplinary field for practising engineers. “provides a wealth of information and is an excellent reference book for people interested in the subject of wind energy.” (IEEE Power & Energy Magazine, November/December 2003) “deserves a place in the library of every university and college where renewable energy is taught.” (The International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education, Vol.41, No.2 April 2004) “a very comprehensive and well-organized treatment of the current status of wind power.” (Choice, Vol. 40, No. 4, December 2002)

As the fastest growing source of energy in the world, wind has a very important role to play in the global energy mix. This text covers a spectrum of leading edge topics critical to the rapidly evolving wind power industry. The reader is introduced to the fundamentals of wind energy aerodynamics; then essential structural, mechanical, and electrical subjects are discussed. The book is composed of three sections that include the Aerodynamics and Environmental Loading of Wind Turbines, Structural and Electromechanical Elements of Wind Power Conversion, and Wind Turbine Control and System Integration. In addition to the fundamental rudiments illustrated, the reader will be exposed to specialized applied and advanced topics including magnetic suspension bearing systems, structural health monitoring, and the optimized integration of wind power into micro and smart grids.

This textbook is intended to provide an introduction to the cross-disciplinary field of wind engineering. It includes end-of-chapter tutorial sections (solutions manual available) and combines both academic and industrial experience.

The book introduces the fundamentals of fluid-mechanics, momentum theories, vortex theories and vortex methods necessary for the study of rotors aerodynamics and wind-turbines aerodynamics in particular. Rotor theories are presented in a great level of details at the beginning of the book. These theories include: the blade element theory, the Kutta-Joukowski theory, the momentum theory and the blade element momentum method. A part of the book is dedicated to the description and implementation of vortex methods. The remaining of the book focuses on the study of wind turbine aerodynamics using vortex-theory analyses or vortex-methods. Examples of vortex-theory applications are: optimal rotor design, tip-loss corrections, yaw-models and dynamic inflow models. Historical derivations and recent extensions of the models are presented. The cylindrical vortex model is another example of a simple analytical vortex model presented in this book. This model leads to the development of different BEM models and it is also used to provide the analytical velocity field upstream of a turbine or a wind farm under aligned or yawed conditions. Different applications of numerical vortex methods are presented. Numerical methods are used for instance to investigate the influence of a wind turbine on the incoming turbulence. Sheared inflows and aero-elastic simulations are investigated using vortex methods for the first time. Many analytical flows are derived in details: vortex rings, vortex cylinders, Hill's vortex, vortex blobs etc. They are used throughout the book to devise simple rotor models or to validate the implementation of numerical methods. Several Matlab programs are provided to ease some of the most complex implementations.