Application of the Nacelle Transfer Function by a Nacelle-Mounted Light Detection and Ranging System to Wind Turbine Power Performance Measurement

Abstract

To examine the applicability of the nacelle transfer function (NTF) derived from nacelle light detection and ranging (LIDAR) measurements to wind turbine power performance testing without a met mast, wind turbine power performance measurement was carried out at the Dongbok wind farm on Jeju Island, South Korea. A nacelle LIDAR was mounted on the nacelle of a 2-MW wind turbine to measure wind conditions in front of the turbine rotor, and an 80-m-high met mast was installed near another wind turbine to measure the free-stream wind speed. The power measurement instruments were installed in the turbine tower base, and wind speeds measured by the nacelle anemometer of the turbine were collected by the SCADA (Supervisory control and data acquisition) system. The NTF was determined by the table method, and then the power curve drawn using the NTF by the nacelle LIDAR (PCNTF, NL) was compared with the power curves drawn in compliance with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, 61400-12-1 and 61400-12-2. Next, the combined standard uncertainties of the power curves were calculated to clarify the magnitude of the components of the uncertainties. The uncertainties of annual energy production (AEP) were also estimated by assuming that wind speed is a Rayleigh cumulative distribution. As a result, the PCNTF, NL was in good agreement with the power curves drawn in accordance with the IEC standards. The combined standard uncertainty of PCNTF, NL was almost the same as that of the power curve based on IEC 61400-12-2.