Optimal Offshore Wind Power Generation Systems

研究目标和方法本提案的目标是创建一个海上风力发电系统的设计过程。设计过程将探索各种先进的电气机械技术，以及电力转换和与岸电的电气连接。该研究项目的方法是将优化设计应用于一个概念上的海上风电场，考虑到无数有前途的新技术，以实现高性能、低重量和可扩展性。该提案的智力价值来自于设计高效、紧凑和可靠的海上风力发电系统的新方法的发展。系统的主要组成部分应精心设计和优化。该方案的目标是克服兆瓦级发电机、变流器和输电系统的设计挑战，最终实现并网。更广泛的影响海上风力发电已经在欧洲扎根，并计划未来在美国实施。从风能的可采收量、“绿色”工作的经济影响以及美国能源组合多样化的实力来看，这种特殊的能源生产形式看起来很有希望。拟议的研究将进一步了解现有和潜在的海上风力发电技术，并有助于更快地采用这些技术。首席研究员将把这项研究的科学发现直接运用到她所教授的可再生能源课程中，由于长期的社会因素，这些课程往往吸引少数民族和女性学生。

Research Objectives and ApproachesThe objective of this proposal is to create a design process for offshore wind generation systems. The design process will explore a variety of advanced technologies for the electric machinery as well as the power conversion and electrical connection to shore power. The approach for this research project is to apply optimal design to a notional offshore wind farm considering a myriad of promising new technologies so as to achieve high performance, low weight and scalability.Intellectual MeritThe intellectual merit of this proposal comes about from development of novel approaches to design highly efficient, compact and reliable offshore wind power generation systems. The main components of the system should be designed carefully and optimally. The goal of this proposal is to overcome the challenges regarding the design of megawatt level generators, power converters and transmission system and finally grid integration.Broader ImpactsOffshore wind power production has taken root in Europe and is planned for future implementation in the U.S. This specific form of energy production looks promising in terms of the amount of wind energy that can be harvested, the economic impact of "green" jobs, and the strength in diversifying the U.S. energy portfolio. The proposed research would further knowledge of existing and potential technologies of offshore wind generation and assist quicker adoption of these technologies. The principal investigator will flow down scientific findings from this research directly into courses she is teaching in renewable energy which, due to the long-term social component, tend to attract minorities and females students.