BruWind Research Topics

Brussels Wind Energy Research Institute

The purpose of BruWind is to consolidate the wind energy research
present at several research institutions in Brussels and to facilitate
cooperation and maximize visibility.

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AimsBruWind
 Centralizing knowledge on wind energy inBrussels
By grouping Brussels academic Institutions in one
multidisciplinaryresearch platform
 Sharing knowledge about wind energy
 Increasing credibility by working together
In relation to others, each of us represents everybody
Providing our jointexpertise and infrastructure to others
 Increasingvisibility of our knowledge and expertise
Creating a Website / Brochure
Participation at conferences and trade fairs
 Participating in European Networks
Attracting European contracts
Cooperation with other international groups
 Developing an Industrial Advisory Board
Closing the gap between industry needs and academic research
Organizing networking events

BruWind = facilitator
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BruWind Institutions

VUB ULB

EhB

Brussels Wind Energy Research Institute is joining the efforts of several research
groups in Brussels active in the field of wind energy. Its research program covers
several aspects of modern wind turbine technology.
3

BruWind Members: Research Groups

MEMC FLUI

ATM
AVRG

SAAS
TONA

BATIR SURF

IWT
BEAMS

Brussels Wind Energy Research Institute is joining the efforts of several research
groups in Brussels active in the field of wind energy. Its research program covers
several aspects of modern wind turbine technology.
4

PRESENTATION RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

BEAMS: POWER SYSTEMS
Grid integration and Electrical Machines

GOALS:
 Grid integration, electrical machine, train and
power plant protections
 Power Quality analysis
 wide area monitoring, protection and control
 numerical electromagnetics
 design and modelling of electrical machines
 fault detection and fault tolerance
 simulation and control of electrical drives

SAAS: OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Fault detection and control
GOALS:
Fault detection
 Development of systems for the & localization

detection and the localization of incipient
faults in the sensors, the actuators and
the components of wind-turbines with a
view to predictive maintenance
 Assessment and monitoring of the
performance of the control loops
 Development of advance control
methods achieving suitable trade-offs
between the different control objectives
over the entire operating range of the
wind-turbine
 Development of control reconfiguration
strategies allowing to keep the wind-
turbine in operation, possibly in a
degraded mode, after the occurrence of
a fault

AVRG - NOISE AND VIBRATIONS:
Dynamic Behavior of Wind Turbines

GOALS:
 Identifying the dynamic behavior form structures
during their operating conditions, using responses
only
 Continuous monitoring of damping values and
resonant frequencies
 Using advanced operational modal analysis
techniques for rotating machines using e.g.
transmissibility measurements

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BATIR: Vibration based Structural Health
Monitoring

GOALS:
 Automated strategies for on-line monitoring
under variable environmental conditions
 Ambient vibrations
 Efficient signal processing
 Data-based techniques
 Automated processing
 Statistical analysis
 Optimal Sensor Placement
 Instrumentation for permanent vibration
monitoring
 State-of-the-art technology
 Accelerometers (seismic)
 Strain gauges
 Fiber optic FBGS sensors
 Research on new sensor technologies
 Long gauge strain sensors (FBGS based)
 Piezoelectric sensors

MEMC - STRENGTH AND MATERIALS
Biaxial Material Behaviour

Biaxial behavior in e.g. GOALS:
wind turbine blade Biaxial test method at MeMC
 Identifying the material behavior
during biaxial loads

Cruciform specimen design

=> Experimental data needed In-plane loading of Glassfibre reinforced epoxy material
cruciform specimen Layup frequently used for wind turbine blades
(LM Glassfibre)

MEMC - STRENGTH AND MATERIALS:
Blade Subcomponent Testing
GOALS:
 Identifying the material behavior of wind turbine
blades using subcomponent tests during biaxial
loads
Flanges, web,
bondlines

sandwich

Blade root

4-point bending and cantilever tests on I-
Aim = tests at mid-scale => subcomponent tests beams to test bonding in real blade

Acoustics & Vibration Research Group

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Load and Source Identification

GOALS:
 Identifying time-varying wind loads on structures from in situ
vibration response data using inverse methods
 Identifying acoustic sources on structures from in situ pressure
data using inverse methods

{P} -1
[H] [H]
{Q} {Q}

Advanced measurement techniques

GOALS:
 Development of advanced data processing
techniques for contact-less measurements using
e.g. laser dopplervibrometer
 Visualization and analysis of structural vibrations

Long distant LDV
Long distant LDV can measure up to a distant of 200m

In combination with Modal Analysis software a strong tool to
determine the resonate frequencies, damping factors and
mode shapes

AVRG - NOISE AND VIBRATION
Structural Health Monitoring

GOALS:
 Acquiring and testing state of the art monitoring
systems e.g.MEMS Sensors, fiber optic sensors
 Development of advanced data processing
techniques, automated monitoring, tracking and
clustering techniques
 Monitoring of blades, towers and foundations using
Operational Modal Analysis and Transmissibility
measurements

TONA -OPTICAL SENSORS
Microstructured optical fiber sensors
Microstructured optical fiber sensors successfully embedded
in carbon-fiber reinforced polymer
GOALS:
 Development of optical fiber sensors
with highly improved transverse load
sensitivity
 Development of optical fiber sensors
Insensitivity to temperature
 Embedding optical fiber sensors in
wind turbine blades for structural
health monitoring

Transversal load sensitivity of our sensor is 10x
larger than in state-of-the-art fibers

SURF - CORROSION MANAGEMETNS
Predictions and Validation
Corrosion management, by
prediction validation
- Potential model (distribution), - Sensor to detect and quantify
together with Elsy.ca (SURF Spin-off) corrosion taking place on structure
- Including cathodic protection (CP) - Continuous and in-line monitoring
predictions (condition monitoring)
- Possibility to integrate specific - Can be coupled with CP to reduce
corrosion effects (local corrosion, CP cost
galvanic coupling…) - Used to schedule repainting / repair
- Influence of liquid film on structure cycles
- Influence of evolving splash zone - Can cover specific targets or general
structure

Prototype

CFD FLUI - AERODYNAMICS AND AEROELASTICS
Simulations over Complex Terrains
CFD simulations over complex terrains

GOALS:
 Computational Fluid Dynamics used to predict the wind over complex terrains
 Development of new algorithms: RANS approach with wall functions
 The use of new meshing strategies unstructured grids

New Meshing Strategies (unstructured grids) Wind Flow over complex terrains

IWT - RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
Micro-siting

GOALS:
 Resource assessment using CFD, site geometry, google
earth geographical data, measurements
 Determine optimal location for turbine(s) on given site
especially complex terrain, incl. (semi-)built environment

CFD FLUI - AERODYNAMICS AND AEROELASTICS
Simulations over Complex Terrains
Wind Farm Optimization
GOALS:
 Optimizing the yield of wind farms taking in account the wakes

•Optimization based on
•CFD simulations
• Neural networks
• Genetic algorithms
•Robust optimization using non-deterministic methods
•Two optimizations are considered
•Wind farm layout: positioning of wind turbines in the farm
• Wind farm control: power setting of individual turbines for
max wind farm production

Wind Farm Layout optimization Wind Farm Control optimization

NOT acceptable layout Acceptable layout

Current online Activities

www.bruwind.eu
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Share knowledge and Increase Visibility

Byorganizingmeetings and
events,creatingawebsite and
brochure,joiningfares...

www.bruwind.eu
22

BruWind Research Topics

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