sustainable energy solutions sustainable energy solutions research team: twomey, overcash, kalla,...

Sustainable Energy SolutionsSustainable Energy SolutionsResearch Team: Twomey, Overcash, Kalla, Griffing

Importance and Expected Results:Wind energy community and researchers will have a life-

cycle database for assessing environmental impacts and making technology decisions throughout the wind system life-cycle.

Milestones: Month 1 to Month 6: Complete, document, and post an LCI

of 30 to 40 processes and 25 materials. 50% completed.

Importance and Expected Results:Wind energy community and researchers will have a life-

cycle database for assessing environmental impacts and making technology decisions throughout the wind system life-cycle.

Milestones: Month 1 to Month 6: Complete, document, and post an LCI

of 30 to 40 processes and 25 materials. 50% completed.

Technical Approach:

Create two life-cycle databases (materials and manufacturing processes) based on a generic methodology:•Provide overview of unit process/material and conduct exhaustive literature review. •Develop parameters of the life-cycle inventory (lci) with lci energy calculations and lci mass loss calculations. •Validate results with the community and publish on internet.

Technical Approach:

Create two life-cycle databases (materials and manufacturing processes) based on a generic methodology:•Provide overview of unit process/material and conduct exhaustive literature review. •Develop parameters of the life-cycle inventory (lci) with lci energy calculations and lci mass loss calculations. •Validate results with the community and publish on internet.

DOE Grant DE-FG36-08GO88149 Wichita State University College of Engineering December 2008

Focus Areas: Environmental Impacts of Wind Energy Systems

Problem Description: Manufacturing /materials are the principal life-cycle environmental components because wind energy is a non-fuel source. The few existing life-cycles are too specific and lacking in transparency to be widely useful.

Project Objective: Develop a life-cycle database that is transparent and accessible to the wind energy community.

Progress/ Results/ Pictures• Top-level materials identified and supply chains

developed for steel, glass-reinforced plastic, copper, concrete, and aluminum. Carbon fiber and neodymium magnets are to be studied for future designs.

• Generic format for manufacturing unit process heuristics developed, established large scale taxonomy of manufacturing unit processes, and in-depth reports on several of these heuristics prepared.

Progress/ Results/ Pictures• Top-level materials identified and supply chains

developed for steel, glass-reinforced plastic, copper, concrete, and aluminum. Carbon fiber and neodymium magnets are to be studied for future designs.

• Generic format for manufacturing unit process heuristics developed, established large scale taxonomy of manufacturing unit processes, and in-depth reports on several of these heuristics prepared.

Sustainable Energy SolutionsSustainable Energy SolutionsResearch Team: Jewell, Cetinkaya

Importance and Expected Results:The communications and control network must be reliable, resilient, and provide support for different types of traffic. The network architecture, protocol suite, and control mechanisms will be designed and developed.

Importance and Expected Results:The communications and control network must be reliable, resilient, and provide support for different types of traffic. The network architecture, protocol suite, and control mechanisms will be designed and developed.

Technical Approach: •Use commercially available power systems, educational laboratory equipment, and networking components to construct a model:•Identify and specify needed components.•Design and develop network architecture, protocol suite, and control mechanisms that provide the necessary functionality, quality of service, and resilience for the overall system. •Construct network in lab and interface with various power system components.

Technical Approach: •Use commercially available power systems, educational laboratory equipment, and networking components to construct a model:•Identify and specify needed components.•Design and develop network architecture, protocol suite, and control mechanisms that provide the necessary functionality, quality of service, and resilience for the overall system. •Construct network in lab and interface with various power system components.


Focus Areas: Network Monitoring and Control

Problem Description: Distributed generation in a concept called microgrids is a key component of future power systems. Common microgrid concepts use minimal or no communications to achieve desired objectives.

Project Objective: Develop a scale model distribution system with communication infrastructure.

Progress/ Results/ Pictures• Design model power system: Initial design is complete.

Equipment specifications are being developed, and equipment will be ordered when they are complete.

• A flow-based Weighted Fair Queuing (WFQ), a class-based WFQ, and a priority mechanism for a single-hop network have been developed.

• A paper was submitted on the networking accomplishments to the Journal of Ad Hoc Networks.

Progress/ Results/ Pictures• Design model power system: Initial design is complete.

Equipment specifications are being developed, and equipment will be ordered when they are complete.

• A flow-based Weighted Fair Queuing (WFQ), a class-based WFQ, and a priority mechanism for a single-hop network have been developed.

• A paper was submitted on the networking accomplishments to the Journal of Ad Hoc Networks.

Milestone Anticipated ActualDesign model power system. 11/08Develop network algorithm. 1/09Construct model power system. 2/09Test model power system. 4/09Implement network. 6/09Interface power system and network. 6/09

Sustainable Energy SolutionsSustainable Energy SolutionsResearch Team: Steck, Horn, Kral, Phan, Niknam

Importance and Expected Results:Increased turbine life and improved system maintainability will reduce the cost of turbine ownership.Milestones: •Develop system reliability model •Develop testbed for accelerated degradation testing of bearings; collect vibration data; develop degradation-feature extraction techniques; and obtain test data for bearings•Develop diagnostic and prognostic tools based on degradation features and a bearing-degradation/stress model•Investigate feasibility of integrating sensors into the blade structure; identify appropriate sensors for in-service monitoring

Importance and Expected Results:Increased turbine life and improved system maintainability will reduce the cost of turbine ownership.Milestones: •Develop system reliability model •Develop testbed for accelerated degradation testing of bearings; collect vibration data; develop degradation-feature extraction techniques; and obtain test data for bearings•Develop diagnostic and prognostic tools based on degradation features and a bearing-degradation/stress model•Investigate feasibility of integrating sensors into the blade structure; identify appropriate sensors for in-service monitoring

Technical Approach: •Explore redundancy strategy to improve reliability of critical rotating components•Investigate continuous structural health monitoring•Develop fault diagnostic and prognostic tool•Investigate misalignment detection and analysis•Investigate various sensor technologies to monitor for cracks•Develop prognostic tool by incorporating a degradation/load model

Technical Approach: •Explore redundancy strategy to improve reliability of critical rotating components•Investigate continuous structural health monitoring•Develop fault diagnostic and prognostic tool•Investigate misalignment detection and analysis•Investigate various sensor technologies to monitor for cracks•Develop prognostic tool by incorporating a degradation/load model


Focus Areas: Wind Turbine Reliability and Maintainability

Problem Description: Wind turbine reliability is jeopardized by misalignment of rotating components; bending, fatigue, and impact damage to blades and bearing supports ; and cracking of blades due to fatigue and aging.

Project Objective: Enhance the reliability and maintainability of wind turbines through system wide structural health monitoring (SHM)

Progress/ Results/ Pictures• Conducted literature review and created an initial

summary of technologies that have potential use the structural health monitoring (SHM) of blades

• Initiated the assessment of the SHM technologies• Conducted literature review and summarized the

technologies associated with monitoring bearing integrity

• Initiated the preliminary design of the testbed for bearings

Progress/ Results/ Pictures• Conducted literature review and created an initial

summary of technologies that have potential use the structural health monitoring (SHM) of blades

• Initiated the assessment of the SHM technologies• Conducted literature review and summarized the

technologies associated with monitoring bearing integrity

• Initiated the preliminary design of the testbed for bearings

Sustainable Energy SolutionsSustainable Energy SolutionsWind Energy Supply Chain and Logistics Wind Energy Supply Chain and Logistics

ProblemsProblemsResearch Team: Yildirim

Importance and Expected Results:Careful considerations should be given to short, medium and long term planning activities in the wind energy supply chains. The proposed research will result in proposed research to address some of the challenges in system integration and planning. Milestones: •Do a literature review in order to determine the state of the art in supply chain and logistics problems for wind energy systems•Foster relations with the wind energy industry. •Identify problems that wind energy companies face

Importance and Expected Results:Careful considerations should be given to short, medium and long term planning activities in the wind energy supply chains. The proposed research will result in proposed research to address some of the challenges in system integration and planning. Milestones: •Do a literature review in order to determine the state of the art in supply chain and logistics problems for wind energy systems•Foster relations with the wind energy industry. •Identify problems that wind energy companies face

Technical Approach: •Interview with the industry representatives•Perform a literature review•Define the problems and propose a general solution methodology as future research

Technical Approach: •Interview with the industry representatives•Perform a literature review•Define the problems and propose a general solution methodology as future research


Focus Areas: Expand number of faculty in the College of Engineering working in Wind Energy Systems(Wind Energy Supply Chain)

Problem Description: Characterizing wind energy supply chains and identifying the logistics and transportation problems Project Objective: To initiate a research effort to investigate the larger sized wind turbine supply chains and determine the challenges at this level.

Potential Problems• Crane Scheduling Problems• Revenue Management for wind farm contractors • Supplier selection• Project management in the construction of the wind

mill• Logistics and transportation• Capacity planning• Forecasting the demand and supply of electricity• Inventory and maintenance planning

Potential Problems• Crane Scheduling Problems• Revenue Management for wind farm contractors • Supplier selection• Project management in the construction of the wind

mill• Logistics and transportation• Capacity planning• Forecasting the demand and supply of electricity• Inventory and maintenance planning

Sustainable Energy SolutionsSustainable Energy SolutionsResearch Team: Minaie

Importance and Expected Results:This project will result in an effective utilization of resin-dispensing equipment, and the manufacturing process will be optimized to produce defect-free blades.

Milestones: Month 1 to Month 4: Simulate filling during VARTM manufacturing of the blades. 100% completed.Month 4 to Month 8: Simulate curing to determine temperatures in the blade. 50% completed.

Importance and Expected Results:This project will result in an effective utilization of resin-dispensing equipment, and the manufacturing process will be optimized to produce defect-free blades.

Milestones: Month 1 to Month 4: Simulate filling during VARTM manufacturing of the blades. 100% completed.Month 4 to Month 8: Simulate curing to determine temperatures in the blade. 50% completed.

Technical Approach: Utilize mold filling and curing simulation to optimize the manufacturing process parameters using cost-effective vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). The objective of the flow simulation is to eliminate or significantly reduce defect formation by determining the optimum configuration for the location of the inlet gates, exit vents, and enhanced flow media distribution.

Technical Approach: Utilize mold filling and curing simulation to optimize the manufacturing process parameters using cost-effective vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). The objective of the flow simulation is to eliminate or significantly reduce defect formation by determining the optimum configuration for the location of the inlet gates, exit vents, and enhanced flow media distribution.


Focus Areas: Intelligent Manufacturing of Hybrid Carbon-Glass Fiber-Reinforced Composite Wind Turbine Blades

Problem Description: Cost-effective manufacturing processes are needed for carbon-glass fiber-reinforced composite wind turbine blades.

Project Objective: Improve the manufacturability of carbon-glass fiber-reinforced composite blades.

Progress/ Results/ Pictures• Simulation software has been obtained and is being

used for simulation of filling and curing. • Geometry and mesh of the wind turbine blade has

been finalized. • Filling pattern simulations have been completed.• Curing simulations are currently being carried out.

Progress/ Results/ Pictures• Simulation software has been obtained and is being

used for simulation of filling and curing. • Geometry and mesh of the wind turbine blade has

been finalized. • Filling pattern simulations have been completed.• Curing simulations are currently being carried out.

Sustainable Energy SolutionsSustainable Energy SolutionsResearch Team: Ravigururajan

Importance and Expected Results:I The Fuel Cell technologies are emerging technologies and the long term application and success depends on the cost effectiveness and efficiency of the chosen technologyThe seed grant is expected to select the most promising Fuel cell technology for further development of a research program in Kansas.Milestones: 0 – 3 Months: Analyze the PEM Fuel Cells3 – 6 Months: Comparative analysis of other Fuel cell technologies.

Importance and Expected Results:I The Fuel Cell technologies are emerging technologies and the long term application and success depends on the cost effectiveness and efficiency of the chosen technologyThe seed grant is expected to select the most promising Fuel cell technology for further development of a research program in Kansas.Milestones: 0 – 3 Months: Analyze the PEM Fuel Cells3 – 6 Months: Comparative analysis of other Fuel cell technologies.

Technical Approach: A Analyze various Fuel Cell technologies B Consult DoE personnel and visit manufacturers C Develop and propose a research plan

Technical Approach: A Analyze various Fuel Cell technologies B Consult DoE personnel and visit manufacturers C Develop and propose a research plan


Focus Areas: Expand number of faculty in the College of Engineering working in Wind Energy Systems(Co-Generation Technologies (PEM Fuel Cells))

Problem Description: Analyze Fuel Cell technologies as power storage systems for Wind energy generation, and develop a research plan to develop the Fuel Cell research project at WSU

Project Objective: Expand expertise within the CoE to better serve Kansas in its effort to promote wind energy – with a focus on co-gen technologies (PEM fuel cells, SOFC)

Progress/ Results/ Pictures• Analysis of PEM Fuel Cells and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells are

completed. Discussion held with DoE personnel working in the area of SOFC – one of the active technologies being considered for future energy storage applications particularly with Wind Energy generation.

Progress/ Results/ Pictures• Analysis of PEM Fuel Cells and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells are

completed. Discussion held with DoE personnel working in the area of SOFC – one of the active technologies being considered for future energy storage applications particularly with Wind Energy generation.

Sustainable Energy SolutionsSustainable Energy SolutionsResearch Team: Asmatulu

Importance and Expected Results:The nanocomposite coatings will improve the coating performance on the fiber reinforced composite turbine blades and reduce the repair and replacement costs.

Milestones: Month 1 to Month 6: The formulation of nanocomposite coatings were completed and UV degradations and corrosion studies are being conducted now.

Importance and Expected Results:The nanocomposite coatings will improve the coating performance on the fiber reinforced composite turbine blades and reduce the repair and replacement costs.

Milestones: Month 1 to Month 6: The formulation of nanocomposite coatings were completed and UV degradations and corrosion studies are being conducted now.


Focus Areas: UV Degradation Prevention on Fiber-Reinforced Composite Blades

Problem Description: Degradation of blades due to environmental conditions

Project Objective: Prepare nanocomposite coatings to protect blades from UV and corrosion degradation due to the environmental conditions

Technical Approach: •Develop nanocomposite coatings for wind turbine blades: •Find out the exisiting problems for UV degradations on the •Find out the existing problems for UV degradations on the blades.•Understand the real mechanism(s) of degradations in harsh environment.•Develop physically strength nanocomposite coatings using various nanoscale inclusions. •Verify the coating systems in this environment.•Implement the new coating systems to the wind energy.

Technical Approach: •Develop nanocomposite coatings for wind turbine blades: •Find out the exisiting problems for UV degradations on the •Find out the existing problems for UV degradations on the blades.•Understand the real mechanism(s) of degradations in harsh environment.•Develop physically strength nanocomposite coatings using various nanoscale inclusions. •Verify the coating systems in this environment.•Implement the new coating systems to the wind energy.

AFM images showing the surface defects of the coatings in the presence and absence of 4% salt.

sustainable energy solutions sustainable energy solutions research team: twomey, overcash, kalla,...

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