A study was conducted of an intermittent binary control strategy for trailing edge flaps and leading edge spoilers installed on wind turbine blades for the purpose of load alleviation. Cost estimation models were developed for the systems to predict overall impact on levelized cost of energy over the lifecycle of the turbine system. Aeroelastic simulations of turbines with the control strategy implemented showed improved levelized cost for some, but not all cases.
The novel Hydromine harvests energy from flowing water with no external moving parts, resulting in a robust system with minimal environmental impact. Here two deployment scenarios are considered: an offshore floating platform configuration to capture energy from relatively steady ocean currents at megawatt-scale, and a river-based system at kilowatt-scale mounted on a pylon. Hydrodynamic and techno-economic models are developed. The hydrodynamic models are used to maximize the efficiency of the power conversion. The techno-economic models optimize the system size and layout and ultimately seek to minimize the levelized-cost-of-electricity produced. Parametric and sensitivity analyses are performed on the models to optimize performance and reduce costs.