U.S. patent application number 14/061453 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-01 for wind farm and method for installing a wind farm.
This patent application is currently assigned to ALSTOM RENOVABLES ESPANA, S.L.. The applicant listed for this patent is ALSTOM RENOVABLES ESPANA, S.L.. Invention is credited to Arturo Rodriguez Tsouroukdissian.
Application Number | 20140115987 14/061453 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47172567 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140115987 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rodriguez Tsouroukdissian;
Arturo |
May 1, 2014 |
WIND FARM AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING A WIND FARM
Abstract
It comprises a number of wind turbines having a modular jacket
formed of at least an upper substructure, an intermediate
substructure, and a lower substructure that are connectable to each
other. At least the intermediate substructure in a wind turbine
foundation is different in height (h) from at least one
substructure in another wind turbine foundation in order to adapt
the different wind turbines of the wind farm to a site having
differences in depth (.DELTA.H) where the wind turbines of the wind
farm are installed of the order of about 20 to 60 m.
Inventors: |
Rodriguez Tsouroukdissian;
Arturo; (Barcelona, ES) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ALSTOM RENOVABLES ESPANA, S.L. |
Barcelona |
|
ES |
|
|
Assignee: |
ALSTOM RENOVABLES ESPANA,
S.L.
Barcelona
ES
|
Family ID: |
47172567 |
Appl. No.: |
14/061453 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61747927 |
Dec 31, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/298 ; 52/292;
52/741.41; 52/745.17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02B 17/0004 20130101;
F05B 2240/96 20130101; Y02E 10/727 20130101; E02B 17/027 20130101;
F05B 2240/915 20130101; E04H 12/34 20130101; F03D 13/25 20160501;
E02D 27/425 20130101; Y02E 10/728 20130101; E02D 27/42 20130101;
F05B 2240/95 20130101; E02B 2017/0091 20130101; E02B 2017/006
20130101; Y02E 10/72 20130101; E04H 2012/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/298 ; 52/292;
52/745.17; 52/741.41 |
International
Class: |
E02D 27/42 20060101
E02D027/42; E04H 12/34 20060101 E04H012/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 30, 2012 |
EP |
12382417.9 |
Claims
1. A wind farm comprising: at least two wind turbines, each wind
turbine including a foundation provided with a modular jacket, the
modular jacket comprising a number of substructures connectable to
each other, wherein at least one substructure of one foundation is
different in height (h) from at least one substructure of the other
foundation in order to adapt the wind turbines of the wind farm to
a site having differences in depth (.DELTA.H) where the wind
turbines of the wind farm are to be installed.
2. The wind farm (500) of claim 1, wherein the modular jacket
comprises at least an upper substructure, an intermediate
substructure, and a lower substructure, the substructures being
connectable to each other, and wherein at least the intermediate
substructure in the one wind turbine foundation is different in
height (h) from at least the intermediate substructure in the other
wind turbine foundation in order to adapt the different wind
turbines of the wind farm to the site having differences in depth
(.DELTA.H) where the wind turbines of the wind farm are
installed.
3. The wind farm of claim 2, wherein the upper substructure and
lower substructure of the one foundation is at least similar in
height (h) to the respective upper substructure and lower
substructure of the other foundation.
4. The wind farm of claim 2, wherein the lower substructure
comprises a foot unit including a number of pins that are adapted
for receiving at least one portion of a length of corresponding
piles suitable for being inserted into a surface of the site.
5. The wind farm of claim 4, wherein a grouting chamber is defined
between the pins and the piles for receiving grout in order to
establish a grouted connection.
6. The wind farm of claim 1, wherein the modular jacket includes
grouted connections for connecting the substructures to each
other.
7. The-wind farm of claim 1, wherein the at least one substructure
of the one foundation that is different in height (h) from the at
least one substructure in the other foundation is such that the at
least two wind turbines in the wind farm can be adapted to the site
where differences in depth (.DELTA.H) range from about 20 to 60
m.
8. The wind farm of claim 2, wherein the upper substructure of the
modular jacket has at least one inclined portion.
9. The wind farm of claim 2, wherein the intermediate substructure
of the modular jacket is substantially vertical.
10. The wind farm of claim 2, wherein the lower substructure of the
modular jacket has at least one inclined portion.
11. A method for installing a wind farm, the wind farm comprising
at least two wind turbines to be installed in a site surface, each
of which including a foundation provided with a modular jacket
including at least an upper substructure, an intermediate
substructure, and a lower substructure, at least the intermediate
substructure in one foundation being different in height (h) from
at least the intermediate substructure in the other foundation in
order to adapt the different wind turbines to a site having
differences in depth (.DELTA.H) where the wind turbines are
installed, the method comprising, for each wind turbine: providing
the lower substructure; fitting piles into the site surface;
attaching the piles to the lower substructure; attaching the
intermediate substructure to the lower substructure; and attaching
the upper substructure to the intermediate substructure.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one attachment of the
intermediate substructure to the lower substructure and the upper
substructure to the intermediate substructure is a grouting
attachment.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] A wind farm and method for installing such a wind farm.
[0002] As used herein, a wind farm is a group of at least two wind
turbines that are installed in the same location for producing
electric power. Locations, such as offshore or onshore are herein
envisaged for the present wind farm.
[0003] The present disclosure is particularly focused to foundation
structures of wind turbines in a wind farm comprising jackets.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Jacket foundations are known in wind turbine foundations.
They comprise a structure intended to support the wind turbine, and
particularly the wind turbine tower. Jacket foundations typically
comprise a steel frame in the form of a lattice tower including a
number of connecting members. The connecting members are connected
to each other by means of bracings and tubular joints.
[0005] In offshore applications, for example, the jacket
foundations are fitted in conjunction with a number of piles into
the sea bed for appropriately transferring structural loads from
the tower to the sea bed. The piles are steel elongated pieces
intended to be driven into the sea bed. Piles are shaped for
receiving corresponding pins. The pins are elongated connecting
members extending downwards from the wind turbine foundation.
[0006] When the pins are inserted into the corresponding piles a
high performance concrete-like mass such as grout is injected. The
grout is injected typically through the bottom of a chamber formed
between the pile and the pin thus forming a grouted joint. Grout
injection serves the purpose of establishing a firm connection
between the piles and the pins. Grout injection also helps to avoid
undesirable horizontal deflections and inhibit corrosion. The grout
provides an increased energy absorption capacity to the structure
of the foundation.
[0007] Jacket foundations formed of a number of substructures are
known in the art. They are used in applications such as in the oil
and gas sector. Jacket foundations comprising substructures in the
field of wind energy are totally dynamically different from oil and
gas structures, and they are starting their development.
[0008] At present, wind turbine foundations are constructed with
varying structural features in order to adapt to different sites
having different characteristics, such as sea depth. In order to
obtain the highest level of standardization of the wind turbine
foundations while adapting to most sites, the distance between the
piles in the jacket may be made constant. This however has the
disadvantage that the inclination of the connecting members of the
jacket needs to be varied. This has the disadvantage that the
joints in the vertical and diagonal bar members of the jacket
structure are changed. A known alternative solution is keeping the
inclination of the connecting members of the jacket constant. This
however has the disadvantage that the foot unit or base is changed
so that a different specific foot unit or base is required to be
made for each position in the site in order to properly fit the
piles.
[0009] In document U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,239 a modular jacket
assembly is disclosed comprising interchangeable stackable
substructures. The substructures comprise vertical members, some of
which are adapted to allow the passage of piles. The technical
problem this document deals with is the manufacture of parts having
different sizes to be adapted to different sites having different
features.
[0010] Document WO2012052029 discloses wind turbine foundations
comprising stackable substructures arranged on a base placed on the
sea bed and a plurality of tensioning elements extending from the
base to a location adjacent the surface of the water. As above,
this solution is focused on the manufacturing of different
foundations to be adapted to different sites having different
features.
[0011] The above arrangements do not deal with the same wind farm
site having different features. There are many locations where a
wind farm is installed having large differences in sea depth, for
example in the case of offshore applications. In the prior art,
this involves the use of quite different jacket structures for wind
turbines installed in the same wind farm site where varying
features such as sea depth, in offshore applications, are present.
This directly affects the design of most of the wind turbine
components, resulting in complex and costly manufacturing,
transportation and installation processes. This is particularly
relevant since in recent years, larger offshore turbines have been
developed due to their greater rated capacity and where a wind farm
has a large number of wind turbines.
[0012] Therefore, a more efficient yet cost effective wind farm is
desirable which solves these problems directed to wind turbine
foundations, particularly in offshore structures, but not limited
to this, and which makes wind energy industry projects economically
more cost effective.
SUMMARY
[0013] A wind farm having a combination of technical features is
herein disclosed. The technical features include at least two wind
turbines, each wind turbine including a foundation provided with a
modular jacket, the modular jacket comprising a number of
substructures connectable to each other, wherein at least one
substructure of one foundation is different in height (h) from at
least one substructure of the other foundation in order to adapt
the wind turbines of the wind farm to a site having differences in
depth (.DELTA.H) where the wind turbines of the wind farm are to be
installed.
[0014] Also disclosed is a method of installing such a wind farm.
The wind farm comprises at least two wind turbines to be installed
in a site surface, each of which including a foundation provided
with a modular jacket including at least an upper substructure, an
intermediate substructure, and a lower substructure, at least the
intermediate substructure in one foundation being different in
height (h) from at least the intermediate substructure in the other
foundation in order to adapt the different wind turbines to a site
having differences in depth (.DELTA.H) where the wind turbines are
installed, the method comprising, for each wind turbine: [0015]
providing the lower substructure; [0016] fitting piles into the
site surface; [0017] attaching the piles to the lower substructure;
[0018] attaching the intermediate substructure to the lower
substructure; and [0019] attaching the upper substructure to the
intermediate substructure.
[0020] As stated above, a wind farm as used herein comprises two or
more wind turbines installed in the same location, such as
offshore, onshore, etc. for producing electric power.
[0021] The wind turbines in the wind farm comprise a tower and a
nacelle. The nacelle is rotatably mounted on the tower. A rotor hub
provided with rotor blades is rotatably mounted on the rotor hub.
The nacelle houses an electrical generator that is connected to the
rotor blades. Power control and mechanical equipment is also
received into the nacelle. The rotor blades are caused to spin as
they are struck by the wind. The rotational energy of the rotor
blades is converted into electrical energy within the generator.
The resulting electrical energy is transformed by a transformer and
fed into the electricity grid.
[0022] Wind turbine towers are in turn supported by a foundation
structure. The foundation advantageously comprises a modular
jacket. The modular jackets in the present wind farm are formed of
a number of substructures. The substructures of the modular jacket
are connectable to each other.
[0023] In the present wind farm at least one of the substructures
of the modular jacket of one wind turbine is different in height
from at least one substructure of another modular jacket. Such
height difference in the different wind turbines of the wind farm
is such that the foundation, i.e. the modular jacket, can be well
adapted to a site with variable depths. The term depth as used
herein when referring to offshore applications, i.e. sea depth, is
intended to designate the distance or height from the sea level to
the sea bed, in the same wind farm site where wind turbines are
installed.
[0024] As stated above, the modular jacket of the wind turbines in
the present wind farm are formed of a number of substructures. In
one example, these substructures may be at least an upper
substructure, an intermediate substructure, and a lower
substructure. These substructures are connectable to each other.
The jacket may include grouted connections for connecting the
substructures to each other.
[0025] The upper substructure may have at least one inclined
portion while the intermediate substructure may be substantially
vertical. The substantially vertical configuration of the
intermediate substructure is advantageous since it provides a good
resistance to the large bending moments induced by the wind and
wave loads. On the other hand, the lower substructure may comprise
at least one inclined portion and may include a foot unit. This
foot unit of the lower substructure may include a number of pins.
The pins may be adapted for receiving at least one portion of the
length of corresponding piles. The piles are adapted to be inserted
into a surface of the site, such as the sea bed in offshore
applications. A grouting chamber may be defined between the pin and
the pile for receiving grout in order to establish a grouted
connection.
[0026] According to one important feature of the present wind farm,
at least the intermediate substructure in one wind turbine
foundation is different in height from at least the intermediate
substructure in another wind turbine foundation. This allows
different wind turbines of the wind farm to be easily adapted to a
site where varying sea depths are present, thus reducing overall
costs associated with wind turbine foundations in the wind farm.
The remainder substructures in at least two different wind turbine
foundations may be at least similar in height to each other.
[0027] In practice, the present wind farm is such that at least one
substructure in a wind turbine foundation that is different in
height from at least one substructure in another wind turbine
foundation. Different wind turbines in the wind farm can be adapted
easily and with lower costs to a site where sea depth varies for
example from about 20 to 60 m.
[0028] Due to the modular nature of the jacket in the above
disclosed wind farm, a number of specific substructures of jacket
may be standardized. This makes foundations easier to manufacture
in series resulting in lower manufacturing costs. This advantage is
more important as the number of wind turbines in the wind farm
increases. Complexity is reduced as the number of jacket
substructures having different designs is greatly reduced, that is,
fewer site-specific parts have to be manufactured. Logistics of the
whole wind farm is thus facilitated. The present wind farm is
particularly advantageous in arrangements including a large number
of wind turbines.
[0029] The method for installing the above described wind farm
comprises providing the lower substructure; fitting piles into the
site surface such as the sea bed; attaching the piles to the lower
substructure; attaching the intermediate substructure to the lower
substructure; and attaching the upper substructure to the
intermediate substructure.
[0030] In some advantageous embodiments, at least one of the
attachments of the intermediate substructure to the lower
substructure and the upper substructure to the intermediate
substructure is a grouting attachment.
[0031] Additional objects, advantages and features of embodiments
of the present wind farm will become apparent to those skilled in
the art upon examination of the description, or may be learned by
practice thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The present disclosure refers to particular embodiments of
the present wind farm shown by way of non-limiting examples in the
appended drawings.
[0033] In said drawings:
[0034] FIG. 1a diagrammatically shows a wind farm of the prior
art;
[0035] FIGS. 1b and 1c are perspective and elevational views
respectively of the jacket structure in the wind turbines of the
prior art wind farm shown in FIG. 1a;
[0036] FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows one example of the present
wind farm; and
[0037] FIG. 3 is an exploded elevational view of one example of a
modular jacket in which the upper substructure, the intermediate
substructure, and the lower substructure have been depicted in an
unassembled state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0038] One example of a standard prior art wind farm 100 is shown
in FIG. 1 of the drawings. One example of the present wind farm 500
is shown in FIGS. 2-3 of the drawings. Throughout the description
of all the views in the drawings, like reference numerals refer to
like parts.
[0039] The wind farm 100 of the prior art shown in FIG. 1 comprises
three wind turbines 101, 102, 103. The present wind farm 500 shown
in FIG. 2 comprises two wind turbines 501, 502. A different number
of wind turbines other than those depicted for the wind farms 100
and 500 are also possible as long as they comprise two or more wind
turbines.
[0040] The wind farms 100, 500 have their corresponding wind
turbines 101, 102, 103, 501, 502 each installed in a corresponding
site 10. In this specific example, the site 10 of the wind farms
100, 500 is offshore. In the bottom of the site 10, that is, the
sea bed 600, the wind turbines 101, 102, 103, 501, 502 are partly
fitted.
[0041] The wind turbines 101, 102, 103, 501, 502 in both wind farms
100, 500 respectively comprise a tower 200 and a nacelle 210. The
nacelle 210 is rotatably mounted on the tower 200. A rotor is
rotatably mounted on the nacelle 210. The rotor conventionally
comprises a hub having rotor blades 220.
[0042] The rotor blades 220 are caused to spin as they are struck
by the wind which rotational energy is converted into electrical
energy within a generator (not shown) placed within the nacelle
210. The electrical energy is transformed by a transformer (not
shown) and fed into the electricity grid.
[0043] The tower 200 of wind turbines 101, 102, 103, 501, 502 in
both wind farms 100, 500 are supported by a foundation. The
foundation of the wind turbines 101, 102, 103 in the wind farm 100
of the prior art shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c comprises a standard
jacket 300. The foundation of the wind turbines 501, 502 in the
present wind farm 500 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a modular
jacket 300'. The jackets 300, 300' are adapted to transfer loads
from the wind turbine tower 200 to the bottom of the site 10. The
jackets 300, 300' of the wind farms 100, 500 are designed according
to the conditions of the site 10.
[0044] One important site condition in the present example of
offshore applications is sea depths H1, H2 . . . , and more
specifically the difference between sea depths .DELTA.H=H1-H2. As
shown in the figures, the water depths H1, H2 . . . correspond to
the different values of the distance or height from the sea level
601 to the sea bed 600 in the particular site 10 of the wind farm
100, 500.
[0045] The examples of the wind turbines 101, 102 and 103 in the
wind farm 100 of the prior art in FIG. 1 show different strategies
used to adapt jacket structures to sites having different
characteristics. This has been illustrated merely as an example: in
the same wind farm, only one strategy is usually adopted.
[0046] In the configuration of the foundation in wind turbine 102
the inclination of the jacket is similar to that of the wind
turbine 101 while the size of the foot unit (distance between
piles) is different. In contrast, in the configuration of the
foundation in wind turbine 103 the size of the foot unit (distance
between piles) is not varied while the inclination of the jacket is
different. Therefore, wind turbines 102 and 103 show two different
strategies to obtain a high level of standardization.
[0047] However, in the present wind farm 500 shown in FIGS. 2 and
3, the strategy is quite different. Specifically, the foundation in
the present wind farm 500 comprises a modular jacket 300'. The
modular jacket 300' is adapted to be pinned into the sea bed 600 by
means of piles 346. The modular jacket 300' consists of a frame
that is suitably formed of three modules or substructures 310, 320,
330. The substructures 310, 320, 330 are connectable to each other
through suitable grouted connections.
[0048] Now referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the first module of
the jacket 300' is the upper substructure or transition piece 310.
This is intended to support the wind turbine tower 200. The
transition piece 310 further includes a working platform 315. The
working platform 315 is arranged just below the wind turbine tower
200 as shown in FIG. 3.
[0049] Continuing with the example shown in FIG. 3, the second
module of the jacket 300' is an intermediate substructure 320. The
intermediate substructure 320 is formed of a number of
substantially vertical main connecting members 325 and a number of
oblique secondary connecting members 326. The substantially
vertical configuration of the intermediate substructure 320 can
provide good resistance to large bending moments induced by the
wind and wave loads present at the site 10 where the wind turbines
501, 502 are installed.
[0050] Again referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the third module
of the jacket 300' is a lower substructure 330. The lower
substructure 330 comprises one inclined portion 335 and a foot unit
340. The foot unit 340 is advantageously used in the present
embodiment as a template for pilling. Specifically, the foot unit
340 of the lower substructure 330 includes four pins 345. The pins
345 are arranged spaced at a distance d apart from each other. The
pins 345 are conveniently adapted for receiving at least one
portion of the length of corresponding piles 346. When installing
the foundation, the piles 346 are inserted into the sea bed 600 and
into the pins 345. Between the pins 345 and the piles 346 a
grouting chamber is defined (not shown) for receiving grout.
[0051] In the present wind farm 500 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the
drawings, the intermediate substructure 320 in the wind turbines
501, 502 are different in height h from each other. Differences in
height h between the wind turbines 501, 502 of the wind farm 500
allows the modular jackets 300' to be well adapted to the different
sea depths H1, H2 . . . of the sea bed 600 at the site 10 where the
wind turbines 501, 502 are installed.
[0052] Manufacturing only intermediate substructures 320 to account
for wind turbines 501, 502 with different heights h from each other
is more cost effective than manufacturing different whole jacket
structures to account for differences in wind turbine heights. This
can be carried out for example by inserting brace elements and
adapting the tubular thicknesses and diameters of the connecting
members 325, 326 of the intermediate substructures 320. Other
elements such as the piles 346 depend not only on differences in
sea depths .DELTA.H=H1-H2 and loads, but on the soil type. Piles
346 are also site-specific like the intermediate substructures 320.
Piles 346 may vary in height, while diameter may be constant. This
is not, however, a problem since manufacture of several types of
piles 346 is cost effective.
[0053] The remaining substructures, that is, the upper and lower
substructures 310, 330 of different wind turbines 501, 502 may be
at least similar in height to each other. In one example, the
intermediate substructures 320 in the wind turbines 501, 502 can be
well adapted to sites 10 where differences in the sea depth
.DELTA.H=H1-H2 range from about 20 to 60 m, such as 40 m. For
example, H1 may be of the order of 15 m and H2 may be of the order
of 55 m.
[0054] The main inclined portion 335 of the lower substructure 330
is substantially vertical in each wind turbine 501, 502 of the
present wind farm 500 as stated above. This means the distance d
between the pins 345 is constant regardless of differences in the
sea depth .DELTA.H at the site 10.
[0055] In contrast, the standard jackets 300 of the wind turbines
101, 102 in the wind farm 100 of the prior art shown in FIGS. 1a,
1b, 1c should be manufactured quite differently as to height and
inclination in order to be adapted for the varying conditions of
the site 10. As clearly shown in FIG. 1a of the drawings, the
inclination of the connecting members 300 as between wind turbines
101, 103 varies according to the differences in the sea depth
.DELTA.H at the site 10. This has undesirable consequences in
higher manufacturing, installation and transportation costs.
[0056] In the present modular configuration of the jacket 300 of
the present wind farm 500 the upper and lower substructures 310,
330 may be thus standardized while adapting the intermediate
substructure 320 in height h to the differences in the sea depth
.DELTA.H at the site 10. The present jacket structures 300 are
easier to manufacture in series which advantage is more important
as the number of wind turbines 501, 502 in the wind farm 500
increases.
[0057] The wind farm (500) may be installed by first providing the
lower substructure (330), then fitting piles (346) into the site
surface (600) and subsequently attaching said piles (346) to the
lower substructure (330). The intermediate substructure (320) is
then attached to the lower substructure (330) and the upper
substructure (310) is finally attached to the intermediate
substructure (320). It is preferred that said attachments, i.e.
that of the intermediate substructure (320) to the lower
substructure (330) and the upper substructure (310) to the
intermediate substructure (320), are grouting attachments.
[0058] Although only a number of particular embodiments and
examples of the present wind farm have been disclosed herein, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that other
alternative embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and
equivalents thereof are possible.
[0059] For example, the embodiment of present wind farm has been
disclosed for offshore. In this particular application, one
important varying feature is the sea depth. In this case, the sea
depth has been defined herein as the distance from the sea level to
the sea bed. For the purposes of the present wind farm, depth
differences .DELTA.H may range from about 20 to about 60 m.
However, the present wind farm may also be of the onshore type, in
which case, the important varying feature is the height. In onshore
applications, the height may be defined as the distance from the
ground to the hub. Therefore, this disclosure covers all possible
embodiments of the present wind farm and combinations thereof.
Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by
particular embodiments, but should be determined only by a fair
reading of the claims that follow.
* * * * *