Grand challenges in designing resilient wind energy systems in areas prone to tropical cyclones | CU Experts

Abstract. Deployment of wind energy systems in cyclone-prone regions faces considerable challenges due to risks posed by tropical cyclones (TCs). These storms can generate very high winds and waves that have the potential to cause severe structural damage to turbines, disrupt energy production, and result in large financial losses. As such, it is important to better understand and quantify the risks associated with TCs and adapt design standards and operational guidelines to meet the increased reliability requirements for systems in these high-risk areas. Addressing these challenges requires important advancements in modeling capabilities, the collection of high-quality data, and the integration of these resources to ensure that wind systems in cyclone-prone regions achieve a level of reliability comparable to systems in non-cyclone regions (e.g., the North Sea). This article aims to shed light on the grand challenges in designing resilient wind energy systems in cyclone-prone regions by presenting the current state of research and engineering practices and identifying key research gaps. It also aims to offer recommendations for future work, highlighting the need for enhanced modeling tools and data integration techniques and for more resilient design approaches.

Deskos G; Wang J; Arwade S; Fisher M; Hirth B; Larsén XG; Lundquist JK; Myers A; Pang W; Pringle WJ

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