About this course: How tall is a modern wind turbine and how can it possibly generate power from the wind? This course gives an overview of key aspects in wind energy engineering. Whether you are looking for general insight in this green technology or your ambition is to pursue a career in wind energy engineering, 'Wind Energy' is an excellent starting point. Experts located in the wind pioneering country of Denmark will take you on a tour through the most fundamental disciplines of wind energy research such as wind measurements and resource assessment, aerodynamics, wind turbine technology, structural mechanics, materials, financial and electrical systems. You will gain a rational understanding of wind energy engineering and, through hands-on exercises, you will learn to perform wind energy calculations based on simple models. Working with the different course disciplines will give you a taste of what wind energy engineering is all about. This allows you to identify the most interesting or relevant aspects of wind energy engineering to be pursued in your future studies or in your professional career. View our video: https://youtu.be/he4UWTGHxrY
Created by: Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Taught by: Merete Badger, Senior Scientist
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Alma Salnaja, Student helper
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Lars Pilgaard Mikkelsen, Associate Professor
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Ameya Sathe, Postdoc
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Vladimir Fedorov, Researcher
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Tom Cronin, Special advisor
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Torben Krogh Mikkelsen, Professor of Remote Sensing for Wind Energy
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Morten Hartvig Hansen, Professor
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Niels-Erik Clausen, Associate professor
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Bonnie Ram, Guest Senior Researcher
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Sven-Erik Gryning, Dr. Scient. and PhD
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Kim Branner, Senior Research Scientist
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Poul Ejnar Sørensen, Professor
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Hilmar Kjartansson Danielsen, Senior Researcher
Department of Wind Energy
Taught by: Henrik Bredmose, Associate professor
Department of Wind Energy
| Commitment | 5 weeks of study, 7-8 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
About this course
This module gives you an overview of the course content and learning objectives. You will see the recommended prerequisites for following the course and find out how to earn points towards your course certificate.
1 video, 7 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: Course video
- Video: Course overview
- Reading: Learning objectives
- Reading: Course elements
- Reading: Pre-requisites
- Practice Quiz: Math pre-requisites
- Reading: Grading policy
- Reading: Code of Conduct
- Discussion Prompt: Discuss this module
- Reading: Provide your feedback
Introduction to wind energy
In this module, you will learn why there is a need for wind energy and how wind energy projects are planned. When you have completed the module, you will be able to explain why there is a need for wind energy and what an EIA is. You will also know how to get the most out of the course through interaction with other course participants.
2 videos, 3 readings
- Video: The need for wind energy
- Video: Siting challenges and stakeholder involvement
- Reading: Activity: Get to know your peers
- Discussion Prompt: Meet and Greet
- Discussion Prompt: Discuss this module
- Reading: Supporting literature
- Reading: Provide your feedback
WEEK 2
Wind resources
It is all about the wind! In this module you will learn how the wind varies with height and during the day and night. You will find out how the wind power density and the power production can be modeled for an area based on different terrain properties. When you have completed the module, you will be able to apply basic engineering models for wind speed and determine the annual energy production for a wind turbine.
2 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Wind profiles
- Video: Wind resource assessment
- Reading: Introduction to quiz: Wind profiles and wind resources
- Discussion Prompt: Discuss this module
- Reading: Supporting literature
- Reading: Provide your feedback
Graded: Wind profiles and wind resources
Test and measurements
‘Test and measurements’ is about different ways to measure the wind and how to to interpret wind observations. When you have completed this module, you will be able to analyse measured wind data and determine the mean wind speed and turbulence.
3 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Brief introduction with focus on wind energy
- Video: Important concepts used in wind energy
- Video: Wind Scanner - remote sensing of wind
- Reading: Introduction to quiz: Wind data analysis
- Discussion Prompt: Discuss this module
- Reading: Supporting literature
- Reading: Provide your feedback
Graded: Wind data analysis
WEEK 3
Economy
In this module you will learn about financial aspects during the entire lifetime of a wind turbine. When you have completed the module, you will be able to perform simple calculations for assessing wind farm projects and for calculating the cost of energy from wind.
3 videos, 3 readings
- Video: The cost of wind farms
- Video: Energy production and revenue
- Video: Tools for wind energy economics
- Reading: Introduction to quiz: Economics of wind energy
- Discussion Prompt: Discuss this module
- Reading: Supporting literature
- Reading: Provide your feedback
Graded: Economics of wind energy - Net Present Value (NPV)
Graded: Economics of wind energy - Levellised Cost of Energy (LCoE)
Wind turbine technology
It is now time to focus on the wind turbine itself. In this module you will learn about different wind turbine designs including the modern three-bladed turbine. When you have completed the module, you will be able to account for the configuration and energy production of different wind turbine designs.
2 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Wind energy technology concepts
- Video: Wind turbine terminology and components
- Reading: Introduction to quiz: Wind energy technology concepts
- Discussion Prompt: Discuss this module
- Reading: Supporting literature
- Reading: Provide your feedback
Graded: Wind Energy Technology Concepts
WEEK 4
Aerodynamics
This module on ‘Aerodynamics’ will outline the fundamental principle of a wind turbine and you will learn what makes it turn. When you have completed the module, you will be able to carry out calculations of thrust and power for a wind turbine.
2 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Power, thrust and optimum rotors
- Video: Flow and forces around the wind turbine blade
- Reading: Introduction to Quiz: Aerodynamics
- Discussion Prompt: Discuss this module
- Reading: Supporting literature
- Reading: Provide your feedback
Graded: Aerodynamics - 1D Momentum theory
Graded: Aerodynamics - Rotational theory and velocity triangle at r = 40m
Materials
Wind turbines are composed of a variety of materials. In order to create stronger and lighter wind turbine components, especially the blades, new types of materials are being invented. When you have completed this module, you will be able to calculate the mass of a turbine blade based on different material’s properties.
3 videos, 3 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Video: Fatigue and mechanical properties of metals
- Video: Material requirements for wind turbine blades
- Video: Composite materials for wind turbine blades
- Reading: Introduction to quiz: Wind turbine blade
- Practice Quiz: Stresses in the blade cross section
- Discussion Prompt: Discuss this module
- Reading: Supporting literature
- Reading: Provide your feedback
Graded: The weight of a wind turbine blade
WEEK 5
Structural mechanics
In this module you will discover which forces act on a wind turbine blade. A blade can be considered as a beam and therefore beam theory is applied. When you have completed the module, you will be able to define boundary conditions and loads on beams and calculate reactions and internal forces.
2 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Structural Design of Wind Turbine Blades
- Video: Beam Theory
- Reading: Introduction to quiz: Beam theory
- Discussion Prompt: Discuss this module
- Reading: Supporting literature
- Reading: Provide your feedback
Graded: Beam Theory
Electrical systems
One of the biggest challenges in wind energy engineering is to integrate the very variable power production from wind turbines into the electrical system. In this module, you will learn to account for the role of wind energy in the energy supply. When you have completed the module, you will be able to apply a strategy for controlling the rotor speed of a variable speed wind turbine.
3 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Grid connection of wind power
- Video: Control of wind turbines and wind power plants
- Video: Integration of variable wind power generation
- Reading: Introduction to Quiz: Wind turbine rotor speed control strategy
- Discussion Prompt: Discuss this module
- Reading: Supporting literature
- Reading: Provide your feedback
Graded: Wind turbine rotor speed control strategy
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
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Certificates
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Creators
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
DTU focuses on research in technical and natural sciences that contributes to the development of society. As an industrially orientated university, our goal is to supply high-level international research based on combining theory with constructing models and empirical methods.
Ratings and Reviews
Broad course that covers all aspects. Overall a good intro , despite some tedious algebra at certain points
Great Course, for anyone interested in Sustainability and/or Energy in general.
Muy buen curso
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MR
A very interesting and pleasant course with the acquisition of crossfunctional skills (Mechanics, Electrical Systems, Materials,...). Accessible to any engineer.