Wind Energy Engineering

Basic Skill: Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers are responsible for the characterization of the wind and for the transformation and of the kinetic energy into mechanical energy. Therefore, special emphasis is set on aerodynamics and aeroelasticity, structural mechanics and –dynamics and the field of fibre-reinforced composite.

Planning and economic competences can be achieved through selection of a competence area or through modules.

Competence Areas

Wind and mechanical energy transformation
Project Planning, Production, Construction and Operation

Competence Area: Wind and Mechanical Energy Conversion

A mechanical engineer is typically responsible for the mechanical energy conversion, i.e. they take care that the kinetic energy of the wind can be used as mechanical energy. The field of work is extended to the probalistic characterization of the wind field, the aerodynamic and structural design of rotor blades and moreover the design of drive train components such as the hub, bearings and the gearbox. Aeroelastic simulations of the full system enables you to analyse interactions between the turbine and the wind and even between components of the turbine themselves, so that an advanced level of understanding can be developed and optimization potentials can be recognized.

During your studies you will have the possibility to put the newly acquired knowledge into praxis by learning various software programs. Excel and Matlab are basic software tools that are widely used within our research. However, prior knowledge is not required. Depending on the specialization und personal interest further software tools might be added to that list. Check the module description for further information on software. A software catalogue with discounted offers for students enrolled at the Leibniz University can be found here. The university and the institutes offer tutorials for most of the software tools mentioned above.

Highlights

Rotor blade design for wind turbines

Perform an aerodynamic and structural design of a rotor blades with regard to energy yield and load optimizing in Matlab
Üroduction of a model rotor blade of approx. 2m length that will be given as a price to the student with the best homework

Aeroelastic stability depending on the center of gravity [Hansen]

Aerodynamics and Aeroelasticity of Wind Turbines

Imparting of mechanical knowledge about the simulation of the dynamic response of a wind turbine
Addresses amongst others aeroelastic instability, modal reduction of rotor blades, unsteady aerodynamics and mechanical damping

Fibre Composite Lightweight Structures

The students gain a comprehensive knowledge about fibre-reinforced polymers as a material and how to design and calculate fibre-reinforced lightweight structures.

Competence area: Project, Production, Construction and Operation

A mechanical engineer with the specialization „Project Planning, Production, Construction and Operation“ is responsible for the planning and economic aspects of the wind industry. You plan and optimize wind farm layouts and study all essential aspects from the construction to the operation of a wind farm. In the field of production a mechanical engineer is able to work within various components of a wind turbine such as the rotor blades, the hub and the drive train. Furthermore, as project engineers, they advise the management in financial questioning in the production and the project planning.

During your studies you will have the possibility to put the newly acquired knowledge into praxis by learning various software programs. Excel and Matlab are basic software tools that are widely used within our research. However, prior knowledge is not required. Depending on the specialization und personal interest further software tools might be added to that list. Check the module description for further information on software. Besides, project planner are using the software WindPRO, the market leading software for computer aided windfarm design. A software catalogue with discounted offers for students enrolled at the Leibniz University can be found here. The university and the institutes offer tutorials for most of the software tools mentioned above.

Highlights

Rotor Blade Design for Wind Energy Turbines

Perform an aerodynamic and structural design of a rotor blades with regard to energy yield and load optimizing in Matlab
Production of a model rotor blade of approx. 2m length that will be given as a price to the student with the best homework

Energy rose taken from a windstatic tutorial

Presentation of planning strategies and concepts for on- and offshore windfarms
In the accompanying tutorial wind statistics and based on these windfarm layouts will be developed with Excel and Matlab