Wind Technology 101
Note: The course can be attended as a stand-alone session but also provides an excellent way to introduce yourself to or refresh your knowledge of wind power before attending the Wind Power Manufacturing & Supply Chain Summit USA conference on the following days.
Course objectives
This one-day training course ensures you are up-to-speed with the key, fundamental technology aspects of wind power, both on and offshore.
You will learn about the scale, availability and variability of wind energy resources, how wind turbines operate – including their methods and limitations in harnessing the wind's energy - plus the planning, construction and operational factors which will decide the commercial success or failure of wind as a power source. Throughout the day, technologies are discussed within their commercial and business context, in a “hype-free” manner, and including reference to the wider power market and other relevant external and competitive factors.
Style
The course is run in an informal manner which allows and encourages time for discussion and questions, ensuring that participants get the most out of their day.
Although scientific and technical principles are included, no prior knowledge is required, making this course ideal for those in non-engineering roles or new to the Wind Power business.
Previous events in our “101” series have benefitted a wide range of attendees, particularly those from investment & finance, sales & marketing, legal, management and other commercial roles.
Approximate Timing
Course begins: 09:00
Course ends: 17:00
(Timings are approximate and include lunch plus morning and afternoon refreshment breaks)
About Green Power Academy
Green Power Academy exists to provide the quality, impartial, informative and enjoyable training needed to increase and distribute knowledge and skills to green energy industry professionals.
Whether you are new to the industry, have recently changed jobs or simply wish to refresh your knowledge, our training should become a key part of your personal or company professional development programme.
Course Content
Wind Resources and Markets:
- Wind power maps and world resources.
- A market review: current wind power usage and growth trends.
- Comparing and contrasting Onshore and Offshore wind.
Wind Power and Energy:
- Introducing the key measures and concepts in measuring energy and power
- Which matter the most from a commercial perspective?
- Standard wind formulas
- How wind energy varies with speed, height and other factors.
- Gathering wind data.
- “Average” wind speed measurements and what these really mean:
- Wind speed distributions (such as “Rayleigh” and “Weibull”)
Wind Turbines and Farms
- Wind turbine designs: HAWTS, VAWTS - the differences and similarities, pros and cons.
- Wind turbine aerodynamics: how turbines collect energy.
- Wind turbine power curves and coefficients.
- Basics of operation and control, including power vs. RPM vs. torque.
- Other system components that make up turbines and wind farms.
- Project development stages in wind farm deployment.
- Wind Farm layout, land/area usage and planning
- Environmental Impact Assessments
- Health and Safety issues for wind farms both on- and offshore
- Offshore installation and foundation challenges.
- Capital and operating cost contributors and scales.
Wind Power Output and the Grid
- The fundamentals of Grid Power:
- Sources and types of generation,
- Variations in demand and methods of balancing supply.
- Wind Power Variability and solutions to integrate wind into the grid.
- Truths and myths about “backup” generation to cope with wind variability.
- Electrical systems and grid integration.
- Offshore grids: concepts, proposals and commercial challenges.