Wind turbines: current status, obstacles, trends and technologies

[摘要] The last decade the installation of wind farms around the world is spreading rapidly and wind energy has become a significant factor for promoting sustainable development. The scope of the present study is to indicate the present status of global wind power expansion as well as the current state of the art in the field of wind turbine technology. The RAM (reliability/availability/maintenance) section is also examined and the Levelized Cost of Energy for onshore/ offshore electricity production is presented. Negative consequences that go with the rapid expansion of wind power like accidents, environmental effects, etc. are highlighted. Especially visual impact to the landscape and noise pollution are some factors that provoke social reactions. Moreover, the complicated and long permitted process of a wind power plant, the high capital cost of the investment and the grid instability due to the intermittent nature of wind, are also significant obstacles in the development of the wind energy production. The current trends in the field of research and development of onshore and offshore wind power production are analyzed. Finally the present study is trying to achieve an estimation of where the wind industry targets for the years to come.

[发布机构] Democritus University of Thrace, School of Engineering, Department of Production Engineering and Management, Section of Materials, Processes and Engineering Vas, Building i, Office 103, Central University Campus, Sofias str., Xanthi; 67100, Greece^1

[效力级别] 能源学

[关键词] Electricity production;Intermittent nature of winds;Levelized cost of energies;Off-shore wind power;Research and development;State of the art;Wind energy production;Wind turbine technology