SET 11: Operating Agent - IEA Wind Task 37 on Wind Energy Systems Engineering

IEA Wind Task 37 has the goal of establishing recommended practices for systems engineering in the field of wind energy. Systems engineering is the discipline of considering a complex system like a wind power plant in its entirety, when making engineering decisions throughout the lifetime of the facility. This involves technical aspects, namely multidisciplinary physical models of system components; but also the consideration of different stakeholders (OEMs, plant owner/operators, regulatory bodies, local communities, general public) and their needs. Eight countries (China, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, UK, USA) are participating in the Task. Participants come from universities, research institutes, and the wind industry. Some highlights of the results of IEA Wind Task 37 are: - Construction of ontology for wind turbines and plants. An ontology is a hierarchical definition of a wind plant's system topology, including data and interface variables. This provides a standard by which analysis tools for different disciplines, like aerodynamics, structures, and electrical systems, can be coupled together. - Definition of a 3.6 MW land-based wind turbine, and 10 MW and 15 MW offshore wind turbines, for public-domain research. The turbines represent the state-of-the-art in modern commercial designs. - Definition of a 740 MW offshore reference wind power plant, for case studies in multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization (MDAO). - Case studies in MDAO of wind turbines and wind power plant layouts.

IEA Wind Task 37 has delivered significant benefits to the wind industry. Methods associated with the Task's theme of systems engineering have been used in industry to develop the latest advanced wind turbine blades. The case studies have lead to fundamental advances in the wind plant layout optimization problem, where methods have been developed to handle multiple local minima associated with wind turbine wakes. Such advances will benefit Norwegian operators like Equinor and Aker Offshore Wind.

SINTEF Energy Research has a role as Operating Agent in IEA Wind Task 37 on Wind Energy Systems Engineering. System engineering encompasses the design and optimization of multidisciplinary models (in this case aerodynamic, structural, controls, electrical components, and electricity markets) in order to best satisfy the needs of stakeholders (owners, operators, customers, society). Focus is placed on the way in which one constructs system models, so as to give the flexibility needed to leverage different methods and component designs, as well as which algorithms and cost models are chosen to optimize the system. There are three work packages: WP1, Guidelines on a common framework for wind energy systems; WP2, Reference wind energy systems (turbines and plants); and WP3, MDAO case study activities at difference system levels (turbines and plants). SINTEF Energy Research leads WP2, and is also active in WP1 and WP3. Task Operating Agents are responsible for recruiting participants and coordinating the technical work, reporting results to the IEA Wind Executive Committee, and disseminating results publically, via publications and workshops.