Design and Implementation of a Software for Wind Turbine Operation Training in Renewable Energy Systems

In this paper a new e-learning software is introduced. The software can be used (by students) to learn the operation of wind turbines in renewable energy systems. A real Rutland model wind turbine is simulated. Aerodynamic blades, mechanical parts and gearbox, electrical generator and electrical components of the turbine, as well as the controller systems of the turbine are precisely modeled and the results are graphically presented. The structure of the developed software design is not restricted to one type of wind turbine and can be developed for different types and brands of wind turbines. The wind speed can be applied using a prerecorded wind speed data or virtually generated data by statistical wind speed models. The real wind speed data can also be applied to the software, making it an online training environment. The output reports of the developed software in this paper are time plots and graphs as well as computer animations. Also a user friendly interface is provided for the software. The user can make any variations in the parameters of the wind turbine and the wind speed pattern and can examine the results.