Open AccessTrends in the evolution of wind turbine generator configurations and systems
Author(s) -
Thresher Robert W.,
Dodge Darrell M.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
wind energy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1099-1824
pISSN - 1095-4244
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1824(199804)1:1+<70::aid-we2>3.0.co;2-9
Subject(s) - turbine , wind power , generator (circuit theory) , marine engineering , steam turbine , aerospace engineering , engineering , mechanical engineering , physics , electrical engineering , power (physics) , quantum mechanics
Wind turbine design has evolved during the 20th century. Early turbine designs were driven by three basic philosophies for handling loads: 1) withstanding the loads; 2) shedding loads; and 3) managing them mechanically, electrically, or both. Modern turbines evolved from these early designs and can be classified as two‐or three‐bladed. Key turbine design considerations today include wind regime, cost, rotor type, generator type, load and noise minimisation, and control approach. Advanced configurations for the future include megawatt‐scale turbines and lightweight turbine concepts. These new concepts will survive based on performance as market forces will continue to drive turbine configurations for years to come. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This paper was produced under the auspices of the US Government and is therefore not subject to copyright in the US.