Selected Publications on Wind Turbine Research and Development

Below are recent publications on wind turbine R&D topics. These documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

• Blades
• Certification
• Components
• Computer Modeling
• Control Systems
• Drivetrains
• Dynamometer Testing
• Emerging Applications
• Manufacturing
• Partnerships
• Small Turbine Verification Project
• Towers

Blades

Announcement of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) Opportunity for a Large-Scale Blade Test Facility Partnership (PDF 504 KB)
Authors: Cotrell, J.

Determination of Elastic Twist in Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) (PDF 7.8 MB)
Authors: Stoddard, F.; Nelson, V.; Starcher, K.; Andrews, B.

DOE Wind Program Update: June 4, 2006 (PDF 292 KB)
Authors: Cotrell, J., Miner, L., O'Dell, K.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Reducing Cost of Energy Through Rotor Aerodynamics Control; Global Energy Concepts, LLC. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 216 KB)
Author: Laxson, A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Sweep-Twist Blade Design and Fabrication with Atmospheric Test Verification. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 244 KB)
Authors: Ashwill, T.; Schrek, S.

Necessity and Requirements of a Collaborative Effort to Develop a Large Wind Turbine Blade Test Facility in North America (PDF 947 KB)
Authors: Cotrell, J.; Musial, W.; Hughes, S.

Optical Blade Position Tracking System Test (PDF 672 KB)
Author: Fingersh, L. J.

Rotationally Augmented Flow Structures and Time Varying Loads on Turbine Blades: Preprint.   (PDF 573 KB)
Authors: Schreck, S. J.

Smart Sensor System for Structural Condition Monitoring of Wind Turbines: May 30, 2002 — April 30, 2006 (PDF 1.8 MB)
Authors: Schulz, M. J.; Sundaresan, M. J.

Structural Testing of 9 m Carbon Fiber Wind Turbine Research Blades: Preprint. (PDF 667 KB)
Authors: Paquette, J.; van Dam, J.; Hughes, S.,

User's Guide to PreComp (Pre-Processor for Computing Composite Blade Properties) (PDF 630 KB)
Author: Bir, G. S.

WindPACT Turbine Rotor Design Study: June 2000—June 2002 (Revised) (PDF 1.3 MB)
Authors: Malcolm, D. J.; Hansen, A. C.

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Certification

Comparison of Wind-Turbine Aeroelastic Codes Used for Certification: Preprint (PDF 537 KB)
Authors: Buhl, M. L., Jr.; Manjock, A.

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Components

Announcement of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) Opportunity for a Large-Scale Blade Test Facility Partnership (PDF 504 KB)
Authors: Cotrell, J.

Breakthrough in Power Electronics from SiC: May 25, 2004 - May 31, 2005 (PDF 2.9 MB)
Authors: Marckx, D. A.

Designing and Testing Controls to Mitigate Tower Dynamic Loads in the Controls Advanced Research Turbine: Preprint. (PDF 737 KB)
Authors: Wright, A. D.; Fingersh, L. J.; Stol, K. A.  

New Family of Multilevel Matrix Converters for Wind Power Applications. (PDF 5.3 MB)
Authors: Erickson, R.; Angkititrakul, S.; Almazeedi, K.

Smart Sensor System for Structural Condition Monitoring of Wind Turbines: May 30, 2002 — April 30, 2006 (PDF 1.8 MB)
Authors: Schulz, M. J.; Sundaresan, M. J.

Structural Testing of 9 m Carbon Fiber Wind Turbine Research Blades: Preprint. (PDF 667 KB)
Authors: Paquette, J.; van Dam, J.; Hughes, S.,

WindPACT Turbine Rotor Design Study: June 2000—June 2002 (Revised) (PDF 1.3 MB)
Authors: Malcolm, D. J.; Hansen, A. C.

Wind Partnerships for Advanced Component Technology: WindPACT Advanced Wind Turbine Drivetrain Designs; Northern Power Systems, Inc. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 220 KB)
Author: Laxson, A.

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Computer Modeling

Aeroelastic Instabilities of Large Offshore and Onshore Wind Turbines: Preprint.   (PDF 758 KB)
Authors: Bir, G.; Jonkman, J.

Characteristics of Wind Turbines Under Normal and Fault Conditions: Preprint. (PDF 688 KB)
Authors: Muljadi, E.; Butterfield, C. P.; Parsons, B.; Ellis, A.

Comparing Pulsed Doppler LIDAR with SODAR and Direct Measurements for Wind Assessment. (PDF 1.4 MB)
Authors: Kelley, N. D.; Jonkman, B. J.; Scott, G. N.; Pichugina,  Y. L.

Comparison of Wind-Turbine Aeroelastic Codes Used for Certification: Preprint (PDF 537 KB)
Authors: Buhl, M. L., Jr.; Manjock, A.

Coupled Dynamic Modeling of Floating Wind Turbine Systems: Preprint (PDF 1.2 MB)
Authors: Wayman, E. N.; Sclavounos, P. D.; Butterfield, S.; Jonkman, J.; Musial, W.

Designing and Testing Controls to Mitigate Tower Dynamic Loads in the Controls Advanced Research Turbine: Preprint. (PDF 737 KB)
Authors: Wright, A. D.; Fingersh, L. J.; Stol, K. A.  

Determination of Elastic Twist in Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) ( PDF 7.8 MB)
Authors: Stoddard, F.; Nelson, V.; Starcher, K.; Andrews, B.

Development of Fully Coupled Aeroelastic and Hydrodynamic Models for Offshore Wind Turbines: Preprint (PDF 881 KB)
Authors: Jonkman, J. M.; Sclavounos, P. D.

Development and Validation of WECC Variable Speed Wind Turbine Dynamic Models for Grid Integration Studies. (PDF 525 KB)
Authors: Behnke, M.; Ellis, A.; Kazachkov, Y.; McCoy, T.; Muljadi, E.; Price, W.; Sanchez-Gasca, J.

Development and Verification of a Fully Coupled Simulator for Offshore Wind Turbines: Preprint. (PDF 1.3 MB)
Authors: Jonkman, J. M.; Buhl, M. L. Jr.

Effect of Blade Torsion on Modeling Results for the Small Wind Research Turbine (SWRT): Preprint (PDF 1 MB)
Authors: Corbus, D.; Hansen, A. C.; Minnema, J.

Electrical Collection and Transmission Systems for Offshore Wind Power: Preprint. (PDF 465 KB)
Authors: Green, J.; Bowen, A.; Fingersh, L.J.; Wan, Y. 

Engineering Challenges for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines. (PDF 725 KB)
Authors: Butterfield, S.; Musial, W.; Jonkman, J.; Sclavounos, P.

Equivalencing the Collector System of a Large Wind Power Plant: Preprint (PDF 537 KB)
Authors: Muljadi, E.; Butterfield, C. P.; Ellis, A.; Mechenbier, J.; Hochheimer, J.; Young, R.; Miller, N.; Delmerico, R.; Zavadil, R.; Smith, J. C.

JEDI II: Jobs and Economic Development Impacts from Coal, Natural Gas and Wind Power (PDF 328 KB)
Authors: Tegen, S.; Goldberg, M.; Milligan, M.

Loads Analysis of a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Using Fully Coupled Simulation: Preprint. (PDF 1.4 MB)
Authors: Jonkman, J. M.; Buhl, M. L., Jr.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Development of an Operations and Maintenance Cost Model for LWST; Global Energy Concepts. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 274 KB)
Author: Laxson, A.

Model Validation at the 204 MW New Mexico Wind Energy Center: Preprint (PDF 714 KB)
Authors: Muljadi, E.; Butterfield, C. P.; Ellis, A.; Mechenbier, J.; Hochheimer, J.; Young, R.; Miller, N.; Delmerico, R.; Zavadil, R.; Smith, J. C.

Model Validation at the 204-MW New Mexico Wind Energy Center (PDF 422 KB)
Authors: Muljadi, E.; Butterfield, C. P.; Ellis, A.; Mechenbier, J.; Hochheimer, J.; Young, R.; Miller, N.; Delmerico, R.; Zavadil, R.; Smith, J. C.

OC3 -- Benchmark Exercise of Aero-Elastic Offshore Wind Turbine Codes: Preprint. (PDF 1.1 MB)
Authors: Passon, P.; Kuhn, M.; Butterfield, S.; Jonkman, J.; Camp, T.; Larsen, T. J. 

Overview of the TurbSim Stochastic Inflow Turbulence Simulator: Version 1.21 (Revised February 1, 2001).   (PDF 355 KB)
Authors: Kelley, N. D.; Jonkman, B. J.

Rotationally Augmented Flow Structures and Time Varying Loads on Turbine Blades: Preprint.   (PDF 573 KB)
Authors: Schreck, S. J.

Spectral Content and Spatial Scales in Unsteady Rotationally Augmented Flow Fields: Preprint.   (PDF 613 KB)
Authors: Schreck, S. J.

TurbSim User's Guide: Revised February 2007 for Version 1.21.  (PDF 657 KB)
Authors: Jonkman, B. J.; Buhl, M. L., Jr.

User's Guide to PreComp (Pre-Processor for Computing Composite Blade Properties) (PDF 630 KB)
Author: Bir, G. S.

Wind Farm Aggregation Impact on Power Quality.   (PDF 799 KB)
Authors: Bialasiewicz, J. T.; Muljadi, E.

Wind Turbine Blade Flow Fields and Prospects for Active Aerodynamic Control: Preprint. (PDF 831 KB)
Authors: Schreck, S.; Robinson, M.

Wind Turbine Design Cost and Scaling Model. (PDF 972 KB)
Authors: Fingersh, L.; Hand, M.; Laxson, A.

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Control Systems

Breakthrough in Power Electronics from SiC: May 25, 2004 - May 31, 2005 (PDF 2.9 MB)
Author: Marckx, D. A.

Designing and Testing Controls to Mitigate Tower Dynamic Loads in the Controls Advanced Research Turbine: Preprint. (PDF 737 KB)
Authors: Wright, A. D.; Fingersh, L. J.; Stol, K. A.  

Lidar for Turbine Control: March 1, 2005 — November 30, 2005 (PDF 1 MB)
Authors: Harris, M.; Hand, M.; Wright, A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase I: Advanced Independent Pitch Control; Advanced Energy System, Inc. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 181 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase I: Advanced Power Electronics for Low Wind Speed Turbine Applications; Northern Power Systems, Inc. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 296 KB
Author: Grace, R.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Breakthrough in Power Electronics from Silicon Carbide; Peregrine Power LLC. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 241 KB)
Authors: Milligan, M.; Porter, K.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: LIDAR for Turbine Control. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 216 KB)
Author: Shreck, S.

New Family of Multilevel Matrix Converters for Wind Power Applications. (PDF 5.3 MB)
Authors: Erickson, R.; Angkititrakul, S.; Almazeedi, K.

Optical Blade Position Tracking System Test (PDF 672 KB)
Author: Fingersh, L. J.

Testing State-Space Controls for the Controls Advanced Research Turbine: Preprint (PDF 783 KB)
Authors: Wright, A. D.; Fingersh, L. J.; Balas, M. J.

Wind Turbine Blade Flow Fields and Prospects for Active Aerodynamic Control: Preprint. (PDF 831 KB)
Authors: Schreck, S.; Robinson, M.

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Drivetrains

Development and Validation of WECC Variable Speed Wind Turbine Dynamic Models for Grid Integration Studies. (PDF 525 KB)
Authors: Behnke, M.; Ellis, A.; Kazachkov, Y.; McCoy, T.; Muljadi, E.; Price, W.; Sanchez-Gasca, J.

Improving Wind Turbine Gearbox Reliability: Preprint. (PDF 675 KB)
Authors: Musial, W.; Butterfield, S.; McNiff, B.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Development of a 2-MW Direct-Drive Wind Turbine for Low Wind Speed Sites; Northern Power Systems. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 195 KB)
Author: Laxson, A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Investigation of the Application of Medium-Voltage Variable-Speed Drive Technology to Improve the Cost of Energy from Low Wind Speed Turbines; Behnke, Erdman and Whitaker Engineering, Inc Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 287 KB)
Author: Laxson, A.

Wind Partnerships for Advanced Component Technology: WindPACT Advanced Wind Turbine Drivetrain Designs; Northern Power Systems, Inc. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 220 KB)
Author: Green, J.

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Dynamometer Testing

225-kW Dynamometer for Testing Small Wind Turbine Components: Preprint (PDF 576 KB)
Author: Green, J.

225-kW Dynamometer for Testing Small Wind Turbine Components (PDF 537 KB)
Author: Green, J.

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Emerging Applications

Aeroelastic Instabilities of Large Offshore and Onshore Wind Turbines: Preprint.  (PDF 758 KB)
Authors: Bir, G.; Jonkman, J.

Development and Verification of a Fully Coupled Simulator for Offshore Wind Turbines: Preprint. (PDF 1.3 MB)
Authors: Jonkman, J. M.; Buhl, M. L. Jr.

Energy from Offshore Wind: Preprint (PDF 537 KB)
Authors: Musial, W.; Butterfield, S.; Ram, B.

Engineering Challenges for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines. (PDF 725 KB)
Authors: Butterfield, S.; Musial, W.; Jonkman, J.; Sclavounos, P.

Integrated Wind Energy/Desalination System: October 11, 2004 - July 29, 2005. (PDF 3.7 MB)
Authors:

Loads Analysis of a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Using Fully Coupled Simulation: Preprint. (PDF 1.4 MB)
Authors: Jonkman, J. M.; Buhl, M. L., Jr.

OC3 -- Benchmark Exercise of Aero-Elastic Offshore Wind Turbine Codes: Preprint. (PDF 1.1 MB)
Authors: Passon, P.; Kuhn, M.; Butterfield, S.; Jonkman, J.; Camp, T.; Larsen, T. J. 

Ocean Energy Technology Development (Presentation). (PDF 744 KB)
Authors: Robinson, M.

Wind Energy Applications for Municipal Water Services: Opportunities, Situation Analyses, and Case Studies: Preprint (PDF 2.1 MB)
Authors: Flowers, L.; Miner-Nordstrom, L.

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Manufacturing

Annual Report on U.S. Wind Power Installation, Cost, and Performance Trends: 2006. (PDF 2.5 MB)
Authors: Wiser, R.; Bolinger, M.

High Wind Penetration Impact on U.S. Wind Manufacturing Capacity and Critical Resources. (PDF 692 KB)
Authors: Laxson, A.; Hand, M. M.; Blair, N.,

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Partnerships

Integrated Wind Energy/Desalination System: October 11, 2004 - July 29, 2005. (PDF 3.7 MB)

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase I: Advanced Independent Pitch Control; Advanced Energy System, Inc. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 181 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase I: Advanced Power Electronics for Low Wind Speed Turbine Applications; Northern Power Systems, Inc. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 296 KB)
Author: Grace, R.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase I: Clipper Turbine Development Project; Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 224 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase I: Evaluation of Design and Construction Approaches for Economical Hybrid Steel/Concrete Wind Turbine Towers; BERGER/ABAM Engineers Inc. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 479 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase I: Prototype Multi-Megawatt Low Wind Speed Turbine; General Electric Wind Energy, LLC. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 193 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Breakthrough in Power Electronics from Silicon Carbide; Peregrine Power LLC. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 241 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Design and Demonstration of On-Site Fabrication of Fluted-Steel Towers Using LITS-Form(TM) Process. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 222 KB)
Author: Shreck, S.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Developing Techniques to Evaluate the Designs and Operating Environments of Offshore Wind Turbines in the Mid-Atlantic and Lower Great Lakes Region; AWS Truewind, LLC. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 188 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Development of an Operations and Maintenance Cost Model for LWST; Global Energy Concepts. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 274 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Integrated Wind Energy/Desalination System; General Electric Global Research. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 243 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: LIDAR for Turbine Control. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 216 KB)
Author: Shreck, S.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Low Wind Speed Turbine Developments in Convoloid Gearing; Genesis Partners LP. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 155 KB)
Author: Shreck, S.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Offshore Floating Wind Turbine Concepts: Fully Coupled Dynamic Response Simulations; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 190 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Reducing Cost of Energy Through Rotor Aerodynamics Control; Global Energy Concepts, LLC. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 216 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

New Family of Multilevel Matrix Converters for Wind Power Applications. (PDF 5.3 MB)
Authors: Erickson, R.; Angkititrakul, S.; Almazeedi, K.

Wind Partnerships for Advanced Component Technology: WindPACT Advanced Wind Turbine Drivetrain Designs; Northern Power Systems, Inc. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 220 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Semisubmersible Platform and Anchor Foundation Systems for Wind Turbine Support; Concept Marine Associates, Inc. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 188 KB)
Author: Laxson. A.

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Small Turbine Verification Project

NREL conducted power performance, noise, safety, and duration tests on each of the three turbine models used in the Field Verification Project at the NWTC: the AOC 15/50, Bergey Excel, and Whisper H40.

AOC 15/50

• Duration Test Report for the AOC 15/50 (PDF 1.1 MB)
• Power Performance Test Report for the AOC 15/50 (PDF 2.4 MB)
• Safety and Function Test Report for the AOC 15/50 (PDF 592 KB)
• Acoustic Noise Test Report for the AOC 15/50 (PDF 2.4 MB)

Bergey Excel 10 kW

• Duration Test Report for the Bergey Excel-S/60 (PDF 2.6 MB)
• Power Performance Test Report for the Bergey Excel-S/60 Wind Turbine with BW03 Airfoil Blades (PDF 2.4 MB)
• Power Performance Test Report for the Bergey Excel-S/60 Wind Turbine with SH3052 Airfoil Blades (PDF 1.1 MB)
• Safety and Function Test Report for the Bergey Excel-S with Gridtek Inverter (PDF 1.3 MB)
• Acoustic Noise Test Report for the Bergey Excel (PDF 3.8 MB)

Whisper H40

• Duration Test Report for the Whisper H40 (PDF 4.5 MB)
• Power Performance Test Report for the Whisper H40 (PDF 2.1 MB)
• Safety and Function Test Report for the Whisper H40 (PDF 1.8 MB)
• Acoustic Noise Test Report for the Whisper H40 (PDF 1.6 MB)

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Towers

Coastal and Marine Tall-Tower Data Analysis: Preprint.   (PDF 649 KB)
Authors: Schwartz, M.; Elliott, D.; Scott, G.

Designing and Testing Controls to Mitigate Tower Dynamic Loads in the Controls Advanced Research Turbine: Preprint. (PDF 737 KB)
Authors: Wright, A. D.; Fingersh, L. J.; Stol, K. A.  

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase I: Evaluation of Design and Construction Approaches for Economical Hybrid Steel/Concrete Wind Turbine Towers; BERGER/ABAM Engineers Inc. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 479 KB)
Author: Laxson, A.

Low Wind Speed Technology Phase II: Design and Demonstration of On-Site Fabrication of Fluted-Steel Towers Using LITS-Form™ Process. Wind Energy Program Technology Portfolio (Fact Sheet) (PDF 222 KB)
Author: Shreck, S.

Wind Shear Characteristics at Central Plains Tall Towers: Preprint (PDF 716 KB)
Authors: Schwartz, M.; Elliott, D.

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See also selected publications on wind energy technologies and wind issues.