Development of a wireless, non-intrusive, MEMS-based pressure and acoustic measurement system for large-scale operating wind turbine blades

Abstract

As the wind energy industry is maturing and wind turbines are becoming larger, there is an increasing need for cost-effective monitoring and data analysis solutions to understand the complex aerodynamic and acoustic behaviour of the flexible blades. Published measurements on operating rotor blades in real conditions are very scarce due to the complexity of the installation and use of measurement systems. However, recent developments in electronics, wireless communication and MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) sensors are making it possible to acquire data in a cost-effective and energy-efficient way. In this work, therefore, a cost-effective MEMS-based aerodynamic and acoustic wireless measurement system that is thin, non-intrusive, easy to install, low power and self-sustaining is designed and tested in a wind tunnel. The measurement system does not require an electrical connection to the wind turbine and can be mounted and removed without damaging the blade.The results show that the system is capable of delivering relevant results continuously, although work needs to be done on calibrating and correcting the pressure signals as well as on refining the concept for the attachment sleeve for weather protection in the field. Finally, two methods for using the measurements to provide added value to the wind energy industry are developed and demonstrated: (1) inferring the local angle of attack via stagnation point detection using differential pressure sensors near the leading edge and (2) detecting and classifying leading edge erosion using instantaneous snapshots of the measured pressure fields. Ongoing work involves field tests on a 6 kW operating wind turbine in Switzerland.