The effects of tower motion on the dynamic response of a windmill rotor are studied. The blade lagging and side tower motion are taken into consideration in the analysis. The equations of motion for the system are a set of linear ordinary differential equations having periodic coefficients. The periodic coefficients of the equations of motion for a three bladed rotor are eliminated by using the multiblade coordinate transformation method. For a two bladed rotor, the equations of motion are solved by using the harmonic balance method. In addition to both methods, the Floquet Transition Matrix method is shown to be an effective way in dealing with the linear ordinary differential equations having periodic coefficients. The differences between the instability regions for a three bladed system and for a two bladed system are discussed.

Information is presented concerning basic wind turbine energy conversion; wind behavior and site selection; power and energy requirements; the components of a wind energy conversion system; selecting a wind energy conversion system and system economics; and legal aspects.

Several generation-exansion alternatives for small electric utilities which include windpower were evaluated using the municipal electric system of Hart, Michigan, as an example. Assumed wind turbine configurations with machines rated at 500-kW and 1,500-kW together with a 1,000-kW hydroelectric facility were combined with conventional Hart diesel generation plus bulk purchase and then evaluated. For comparison, a new 3,600-kW oil-fueled diesel generator was also evaluated. Wind data from US Coast Guard stations in the Hart vicinity was processed and verified by means of a 2-year measurement program. It was discovered that wind velocities along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan are significantly higher than indicated for the area by nationally-published wind density information. Average velocities range from 5 to 7 meters per second (m/s).

This assessment of Economic Incentives to Wind Systems Commercialization is an analysis of the quantitative and qualitative impacts of a variety of Government funded economic incentives on Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS). The purpose of this study is to achieve better understanding of the relationship between implementation of specific economic incentives for WECS, and the factors surrounding WECS commercial introduction.

An interpretation of eolian features, using remote sensing techniques, for part of the Southern High Plains demonstrates the use of remote sensing as an inexpensive and easily applicable tool to assess wind-energy potential. The most useful eolian features in such an interpretation are sand dunes, blowouts, dust plumes, clay dunes, playa plumes, and playa orientation. Although the relief is low to moderate in this area, topographic channeling is the most important factor in determining high wind-energy areas. Interpretation of eolian features detectable on LANDSAT imagery provided information for a regional assessment of wind-energy potential in the Southern High Plains. A map was compiled summarizing the interpretation and the wind-energy information.

Under Department of Energy (DOE) sponsorship, Sandia Laboratories has implemented a program to develop vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) systems. One aspect of this program has been the development of an instrumented test site adjacent to Sandia Laboratories' Technical Area I on Kirtland Air Force Base. Three VAWTs are now in operation on this test site. This paper describes the data acquisition and analyses system developed to meet the needs of the VAWT test site. The system employs a 16-bit work-length minicomputer as the major element in a stand-alone configuration. A variety of peripheral devices perform the required data acquisition functions and provide for data display and analysis. Included is a disk-based software operating system that supports a mass storage-file system, high-level language, and auxiliary software procedures.

A closed-form equation is derived for root mean square (rms) value of velocity change (gust rise) that occurs over the swept area of wind turbine rotor systems and an equation for rms value of velocity change that occurs at a single point in space. These formulas confirm the intuitive assumption that a large system will encounter a less severe environment than a small system when both are placed at the same location. Assuming a normal probability density function for the velocity differences, an equation is given for calculating the expected number of velocity differences that will occur in 1 hr and will be larger than an arbitrary value. A formula is presented that gives the expected number of velocity differences larger than an arbitrary value that will be encountered during the design life of a wind turbine. In addition, a method for calculating the largest velocity difference expected during the life of a turbine and a formula for estimating the risk of exceeding a given velocity difference during the life of the structure are given. The equations presented are based upon general atmospheric boundary-layer conditions and do not include information regarding events such as tornados, hurricanes, etc.

The purpose of the program was to analyze and up-date the design of the Madaras Rotor Power Plant concept that had been developed in the 1930's to determine the technical and economic feasibility of this system to be competitive with conventional horizontal axis wind turbines. The Madaras concept uses rotating cylinders, vertically mounted on flat cars, to react with the wind like a sail and propel an endless train of connected cars around a closed track at constant speed. Electricity is generated by alternators on each car that are geared to the wheels. Electrical power is transmitted from each car to the power house by a trolley system. A four-task program consisting of a series of wind tunnel tests, an electro-mechanical analysis, a performance analysis, and a cost analysis was conducted.

Color composite LANDSAT images of the five-state Pacific Northwest area (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming) were interpreted to identify eolian landforms that might serve as indicators of areas of high wind energy within that region. Eolian landforms identified included sand dunes, playas, and scour features. These features were identified and their locations were then plotted. Several smoke plumes were also identified on the LANDSAT images. These are indicated as aerosols. The features have not yet been mapped in detail or field checked; therefore, the map presents no quantitative estimates of wind energy and must be considered a preliminary map. The map serves as an inventory of prominent eolian features, most of which occur in the arid basin areas. The broad distribution of these features gives an indication of the usefulness of eolian landforms as indicators of wind characteristics in the Pacific Northwest.

MATHEW, a regional three-dimensional time-independent wind field model, utilizes a variational analysis technique to determine a three-component non-divergent velocity field which can be used to provide the advection velocities in atmospheric pollutant transport and diffusion models. The regions of interest have horizontal distances of 10 to 200 km and extend less than 2 km above topography.