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- Energie · Gebäude · Umwelt (EGU) (56) (remove)
Das Spektrum technischer Filter zur Niederschlagswasserbehandlung reicht von kompakten Anlagen im dezentralen Maßstab bis zu zentralen Anlagen mit mehreren Hektar angeschlossener Fläche. Die hier vorgestellten zentralen Systeme werden im Aufstromverfahren durchflossen. Der Zufluss wird dabei durch Sedimentation oder eine Sedimentation-Lamellen-Kombination vorbehandelt. Das Spektrum der eingesetzten Filtersubstrate ermöglicht den Rückhalt feiner Partikel (AFS63) bis hin zu gelösten Stoffen. Die Rückhaltewirkung von technischen Filtern kann sehr hoch sein, allerdings muss der Kompromiss zwischen Wirkung und Wartung gefunden werden. Die Überwachung der Systeme ist durch Bilanzierung der Füllstände vergleichsweise einfach. Erste Ansätze für eine Bemessung der Systeme werden vorgestellt.
This document presents a comparative analysis of
horizontal and vertical small wind turbines for urban
areas in three power classes up to 10 kW in different
categories. The main objective was to conduct a market
analysis to assess the marketability of these wind
energy systems. The aim was to make it easier for
potential customers to make a decision. However, due
to the limited availability of data, the project encountered
considerable difficulties. As a result, the study
became a comparative assessment, which led to results
that may not be readily transferable to urban environments,
slightly missing the original objective of the
study. The results underline the difficulties associated
with conducting a comprehensive market analysis in
this sector and highlight the need for an independent
series of tests under specific conditions. The paper
concludes with a plea for future research efforts to
adapt data collection methods to urban conditions in
order to improve the relevance and applicability of
such studies in practice.
When simulating and optimizing urban energy systems, the focus is usually on minimizing financial costs or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As energy systems transition towards a growing share of renewable energy sources and technological complexity, environmental impacts that affect more than just GHG emissions, such as resource extractions, water and land use impacts or impacts on human health, are becoming increasingly relevant.
To address this gap, this thesis introduces an automated coupling procedure for energy system modeling (ESM) and life cycle assessment (LCA). The implementation includes general recommendations and a practical coupling of the Open Energy Modelling Framework (oemof) based Spreadsheet Energy System Model Generator (SESMG) with a suitable LCA software.
The LCA procedure involves goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment, and interpretation. To adapt these steps to different energy system models, the LCA should be attributional, process-based and territorial. Further, the openLCA software by Green-Delta serves as a suitable soft-linking tool. The main challenge of the coupling procedure is the inventory analysis. Data collection faces limitations, reasoned by the commercialization and high maintenance efforts in open-source databases. After evaluating free databases, the Prozessorientierte Basisdaten für Umweltmanagement-Instrumente (ProBas) database of the Umweltbundesamt emerged as the most suitable choice for the coupling. However, also this database lacks traceability of datasets or compatibility with a comprehensive impact assessment.
A generalized framework for the LCA application of energy systems was developed. The framework is based on an ex-post LCA assessment that considers the combination of the two approaches within every step of the procedure. Main considerations of this framework include automatic calculations of the inventory analysis and the impact assessment for different energy technologies, as well as calculations summed up for all technologies of energy system scenarios. Further, technology mapping and data harmonization are essential considerations for the automatic coupling and double counting of impacts needs to be avoided.
Subsequently, the framework is realized with the adaption of the SESMG. Its database-independent realization allows compatibility with different databases in openLCA. For the selected ProBas database, the tool can be used with different available energy technologies. The use of unit processes is encouraged for data harmonization. Result interpretation of the LCA (in general or with the SESMG) should not solely focus on the absolute values of the impact categories, but rather on the comparative strengths among scenarios and technologies.
The successful application to a reference single-family building using the ProBas database revealed varied environmental impacts, in relation with a higher reduction in GHG emissions, with an increase of 11 % in terrestrial acidification impacts in the emission-optimized scenario. These findings emphasize a more comprehensive perspective on environmental impacts and provide a valuable validation of the developed methodology.
Future research should include the improvement of data harmonization, the inclusion of more datasets for a more customized analysis of energy systems and more applications. The coupled approach offers a promising avenue for gaining deeper insights into optimizing urban energy systems.
Der Spreadsheet Energy System Model Generator (SESMG) ist ein Werkzeug zur Modellierung und Optimierung von (urbanen) Energiesystemen. Der SESMG hat eine browserbasierte grafische Benutzeroberfläche, eine tabellenbasierte Dateneingabe und eine ausführliche Dokumentation, was einen einfachen Einstieg ermöglicht. Zudem erfordern die Installation und Anwendung keine Programmierkenntnisse. Im SESMG sind verschiedene Modellierungsmethoden implementiert, wie z. B. die Anwendung des Multi-Energie-System-Ansatzes, die multikriteriale Optimierung, modellbasierte Methoden zur Reduktion des Rechenaufwands sowie die automatisierte Erstellung von räumlich hoch aufgelösten Energiesystemmodellen. Somit können urbane Energiesysteme mithilfe des SESMGs mit vergleichsweise geringem Aufwand, aber unter Berücksichtigung einer Vielzahl von Parametern und Randbedingungen, modelliert und optimiert werden.
This paper outlines the three main areas relevant
to dismantling: the rotor blades, hub and nacelle,
the tower and the foundation. The paper discusses
the dismantling procedures, including the removal of
the top structure, the tower and the foundation, and
evaluates various methods of dismantling the tower,
such as modular dismantling, collapse blasting, folding
blasting, wrecking ball demolition and hydraulic
ram demolition. The assessment of these methods
in practice and the potential challenges and considerations
for future dismantling, particularly as wind
turbine heights increase, are also addressed.
The preservation of water bodies continuity is fundamental
for aquatic communities, particularly for fish
populations. Various structures impede watercourse
continuity, impacting fish migration and habitat distribution.
Conventional fish passages often fall short
in diverse scenarios, prompting the development of
specialized solutions. This article proposes a criteria
catalog for these special fish passage solutions based
on DWA leaflet DWA-A 509. It discusses the need
for these solutions, presents a selection of specialized
options, and outlines criteria from DWA-M 509, construction
guidelines, and economic perspectives. It
scrutinizes criteria ranging from target fish species to
cost considerations. Three examples, including the
Runserau fish lift, the bristle ramp fish lock, and the
Fishcon sluice, illustrate these specialized solutions,
their functionalities, advantages, and drawbacks. Additionally,
the article compiles criteria from industry
standards and guidelines into a comprehensive evaluation
catalog. The criteria, when applied, assist in the
selection of suitable fish passage solutions based on
specific site conditions and fish species requirements.
This holistic approach aims to optimize fishway selection,
fostering the ecological sustainability of watercourses.
However, this catalog remains dynamic
and open to expansion with evolving research and
practical application, urging further exploration and
validation of these criteria through diverse case studies
and technological advancements in the field.
The Educational Journal of Renewable Energy Short Reviews (EduJRESR, formally published as ‘EGU Journal of Renewable Energy Short Reviews’) is a teaching project rather than a regular scientific journal.
To publish in this journal, it is a premise to take part in the master course wind power, hydro power and biomass usage at the department of Energy, Building Services and Environmental Engineering of the Münster University of Applied Sciences.
Students receive an equivalent of 2.5 credit points (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System – ECTS) for their engagement in the course and for publishing a short review article of at most 3 000 words in this periodical. The publication process closely mimics the typical publication procedure of a regular journal.
The peer-review process, however, is conducted within the group of course-participants.
Although being just an exercise, we think that publishing the outcome of this course in a citable manner is not only promoting the motivation of our students, but may also be a helpful source of introductory information for researchers and practitioners in the field of renewable energies. We encourage students to write their articles in English, but this is not mandatory. The reader will thus find a few articles in German language.
To further encourage students practicing English writing, perfect grammar is not part of the assessment.
We especially thank our students for working with LATEX on Overleaf, although LATEX is new to some of them. In this way, the editorial workload was reduced to a minimum. We also thank our students for sharing their work under the creative commons attribution licence (CC-BY). We appreciate their contribution to scientific information, being available to every person of the world, almost without barriers. We also thank the corresponding authors and publishers of the cited work, for granting permission.
The pursuit of Offshore Wind Energy (OWE), integral
to the German government’s ambitious renewable
energy goals raises concerns about the environmental
impact of noise emissions on marine life. This paper
delves into the theoretical background of Offshore
Wind Turbine (OWT) noise, exploring its various
phases from the survey to decommission. It examines
the types and causes of noise emissions, their effects
on marine wildlife and potential mitigation measures.
Highlighting the regulatory framework in Germany,
the paper emphasises the need for nuanced approaches
to balance renewable energy objectives with marine
ecosystem preservation.
Energieausweise informieren über den Energiebedarf und -verbrauch von Gebäuden. Für die Erstellung eines Energieausweises werden gebäudespezifische Daten benötigt, weshalb sie oft nicht für alle Gebäude vorliegen oder erst durch eine Begehung vor Ort erfasst werden können. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht die Möglichkeit, durch die Identifikation eines Datenschemas, basierend auf einer integrativen Analyse von Energieausweisen, Energiebedarfsvorhersagen für unbekannte Wohngebäude zu treffen. Die Zielsetzung der vorliegenden Arbeit besteht in der Identifikation wesentlicher Merkmale aus offenen Datenquellen, welche den Energiebedarf signifikant beeinflussen sowie deren Integration in ein kompaktes und effizientes Regressionsmodell. Dabei werden verschiedene maschinelle Lernmethoden, insbesondere das Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), eingesetzt, um Modelle zu entwickeln und zu validieren, die auf Daten aus Energieausweisen basieren.
Dafür werden unter anderem Merkmale aus den beschriebenen Merkmalen zum Dach, der Außenwände, zu Fenstern und zum Boden extrahiert und in neue Merkmale überführt. Dies sind unter anderem Dach- und Wandtyp, das zugehörige Isolationsniveau und der Verglasungsgrad der Fenster. Im Anschluss werden drei Datensätze entwickelt und auf ihre Leistung untersucht. Eine Analyse der Merkmalsrelevanz hat gezeigt, dass über alle Datensätze hinweg bestimmte Merkmale wie Gebäudetyp, Baujahr, Wohnfläche, Dämmungsgrad und geografische Lage entscheidenden Einfluss auf die Vorhersage des Energiebedarfs haben. Das auf den Fernerkundungsdaten basierte Modell, wies nach Optimierung ein Bestimmtheitsmaß R2 von 0,64 und einen mittleren absoluten Fehler (MAE) von 4,12 auf. Der Fehler bezieht sich auf eine Effizienzskala von 1-100 (Energieklasse G-A). Nach Skalierung der Pipeline und durch Ergänzung weiterer Datenpunkte, konnte der Wert auf 0,84 erhöht werden. Durch die Ergänzung von vebrauchsabhängigen Merkmalen, erreichte das XGB-Regressionsmodell ein R2 von 0,94 und einen MAE von 1,46 über den Trainings- und Testdatensatz. Zur weiteren Validierung werden die Auswirkungen der einzelnen Merkmale über Shapley-Werte quantifiziert, um die Auswirkungen der Merkmale bei der Vorhersage zu interpretieren. Die entwickelten Modelle erreichten eine hohe Prognosegenauigkeit und demonstrierten eine signifikante Verbesserung gegenüber herkömmlichen Methoden. Die Erstellung der Datensätze erfolgte unter Verwendung der Programmiersprache Python sowie des Frameworks Scikit-learn (Version 1.4.1) zur Entwicklung der Modelle. Die erzeugten Datensätze und Modelle wurden in eine reproduzierbare Pipeline überführt und stehen nach Freigabe unter GitHub zur Verfügung.
Die Planung urbaner Energiesysteme wird durch die zunehmende Verbreitung sektorgekoppelter Technologien und neuer Verbrauchssektoren immer komplexer. Klassische Planungsmethoden kommen an ihre Grenzen. Die Energiesystemmodellierung (ESM) bietet eine Möglichkeit, ein Energiesystem hinsichtlich der Kosten und der Treibhausgas (THG)- Emissionen zu optimieren. Gleichzeitig ergibt sich aus der Energiewende und angestrebten THG-Neutralität ein akuter Handlungsbedarf. Dies gilt auch für die 1 500 Kasernen in Deutschland. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit werden der bestehende Modellierungsprozess des Spreadsheet Energy System Model Generator (SESMG) erweitert, indem Herausforderungen der Modellierung und Optimierung von Kasernen identifiziert und Lösungsansätze hierzu entwickelt werden.
Diese Arbeit basiert auf der ESM einer realen Kaserne. Es kann das Urban District Upscaling Tool zur Erstellung der für den SESMG benötigten Modelldefinition verwendet werden. Die Open-Source Datenbank SESMG-Data, kann automatisch die benötigte Standard Parameter Tabelle mit zugehörigem Bericht generieren. Weiterhin wurde ein Energieaustauschmodell vorgestellt, das den Energieaustausch zwischen Kasernen eines Bilanzkreises ermöglicht. Ein Fokus liegt auf der Abbildung zukünftiger Ausbaupläne.
Dazu wurden kasernenspezifische Gebäudeprofile entwickelt, die gemittelte spezifische Energiebedarfe und weitere Parameter zur Berechnung der Wand-, Fenster-, und Dachfläche enthalten. Der spezifische Wärmebedarf kann durch einen Faktor an die Baualtersklasse angepasst werden. Mit Hilfe statistischer Kennwerte lässt sich ein geeignetes Standardlastprofil für verschiedene Gebäudeprofile auswählen. Zur Reduktion der Komponenten im Energiesystemoptimierungsmodell (ESOM) können die Dachflächenpotenziale von Photovoltaikanlagen zusammengefasst werden. Da Kasernen nur eine Bilanzgrenze besitzen, können zudem auch die Strombedarfe der einzelnen Gebäude zusammengefasst werden. Damit lassen sich gleichzeitig dezentrale Batteriespeicher als Komponente des ESOMs ausschließen. Die Potenzialflächen von Erdwärmepumpen können zusammengefasst werden, wobei Abstands- und Belastbarkeitsgrenzen eingehalten werden müssen.
Kasernen verfügen häufig über Bestandswärmenetze, die im ESOM gesondert berücksichtigt werden müssen. Um dieses Bestandswärmenetz abzubilden, können die Verteilleitungen manuell nachgezeichnet werden und in einer Vormodellierung mit dem SESMG mit geringeren Kosten angesetzt werden. Die in dieser Arbeit entwickelten Methoden sind allgemeingültig für Kasernen. Die Übertragbarkeit der kasernenspezifischen Gebäudeprofile ist aufgrund der unterschiedlichen Nutzung von Kasernen nur eingeschränkt möglich. Der bestehende Modellierungsprozess wurde um kasernenspezifische Prozessschritte erweitert und visualisiert. Zukünftige Modellierungen von Kasernen können zur Validierung der Ergebnisse und für weitere Anpassungen, wie z. B. die Erstellung einer kasernenspezifischen Datenbank, genutzt werden.
Meanwhile, renewable energy sources such as hydropower, solar and wind energy and biomass are increasingly being used to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and thus counteract the ongoing global warming. However, these are also associated with environmental impacts. To that effect, this article takes a closer look at tidal power plants, which are classified as hydroelectric power plants, by conducting a systematic literature review. The results show that the strength and form of the environmental impact depends on the specific location and type of plant. Tidal power plants have an impact on the habitats of marine animals and thus influence their behavior and population. In addition, the operation of tidal power plants changes the sediment distribution, causes a reduction in current velocities and a change in current direction in the surrounding area and leads to a change in wave height. The construction of the power plants is associated with noise, which primarily causes changes in the behavior of some species. Furthermore, the electromagnetic fields generated can also affect marine life. In order to assess the environmental impact of tidal power plants in comparison to other renewable energies, further studies should focus on the environmental impact of the different technologies in relation to the energy yield.
The construction and operation of hydropower plants
for energy generation is a major issue in sustainable
energy production. Nevertheless, hydropower plants
have a negative impact on fish populations. It is crucial
to understand the causes and consequences of fish
mortality in hydropower plants in order to find sustainable
solutions that reconcile the need for energy
with the conservation of aquatic ecosystems. This
article examines the fish protection measures that can
be implemented to reduce fish mortality and maintain
ecological balance. Based on the main literature reviewed,
this article mainly refers to Germany in terms
of studies carried out and hydropower plants.
Lokale Energiemärkte können zukünftig eine der zentralen Maßnahmen der Energiewende sein, sind bisher jedoch kaum verbreitet. Durch die Einbindung einer Vielzahl von Letztverbrauchern in den Energiehandel, sind lokale Energiemärkte in der Lage, die Akzeptanz der Bevölkerung gegenüber der Energiewende zu steigern und somit die Transformation der Energiesysteme zu beschleunigen. Dieses Buch definiert erstmals die verschiedenen Arten lokaler Energiemärkte, grenzt andere Marktkonzepte ab und unterscheidet dabei zwischen verschiedenen Energieformen. Bestehende Konzepte für Peer-to-Peer Märkte, Community Self Consumption Märkte und lokale Systemdienstleistungsmärkte werden analysiert und darauf aufbauend Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten zukünftiger Marktkonzepte identifiziert. Mithilfe des entwickelten Energiemarkt Reengineering Frameworks können lokale Energiemärkte nach einem Baukastenprinzip konzeptioniert werden. In einem nachgelagerten Schritt können die Konzepte auf verbleibende technischeund rechtliche Hürden untersucht werden. Jan N. Tockloth stellt ein umfangreiches Werk zur Verfügung, das einen niederschwelligen Einstieg in lokale Energiemärkte ermöglicht und diese im energiewirtschaftlichen Kontext einordnet. Die detaillierten Inhalte und entwickelten Methoden bieten gleichzeitig einen praktischen Nutzen für Leserinnen und Leser aus den Bereichen Forschung, Energiewirtschaft und Politik.
Wind energy plays a major role among renewable
energies. Its expansion is therefore important in order
to achieve the climate targets. Repowering is an
important element in the expansion of wind energy.
On the one hand, it offers a solution for many wind
turbines in Germany that are no longer subsidised due
to their age. On the other hand, modern turbines are
significantly more powerful and enable more efficient
land utilisation. This article provides an overview of
the most important aspects of onshore repowering.
There is a lot to consider when repowering wind turbines.
The legal situation for repowering aims to
be improved through simplified authorisation procedures.
Even though efforts are being made by the
government, there is still room for improvement. The
repowering potential is also dependent on the various
distance regulations to residential buildings in
the federal states. These regulations might also be
improved in the future. Another aspect is the remuneration,
which is now closer to market developments
due to the market premium model. It is also subject
to greater competition as a result of the tendering
process. At the same time, interest rates and turbine
prices have risen, which creates economic challenges
for the operators of future wind farms. Last but not
least, repowering also depends on public acceptance.
This is also to be regulated by law in the future.
This article discusses the use of artificial intelligence
in the wind energy industry, particularly in addressing
challenges and optimizing the expansion of renewable
energies in Germany. It highlights the application
of artificial intelligence in wind forecasts and yield
predictions, bird detection, wind turbine and farm
design, condition monitoring, and predictive maintenance.
Additionally, it introduces the “WindGISKI”
research project, which aims to use artificial intelligence
to identify new areas for wind turbines. The
project utilizes a neural network to analyze and predict
flight routes, potentially reducing bird mortality.
The document also emphasizes the potential broader
applications of “WindGISKI” in other fields of activity,
such as land use planning and city development.
Overall, it underscores the significant role of artificial
intelligence in addressing challenges in wind energy
and outlines the potential for artificial intelligence
to drive the expansion of renewable energies while
addressing key obstacles.
This article analyses the impact of robotics on the
operation and maintenance (O&M) of offshore wind
turbines (OWTs), with a particular emphasis on the
challenges and benefits. As the world’s reliance on
renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, increases
to reduce climate change, the growing number of
OWTs requires effective O&M. Challenges consist
of logistics, accessibility and high costs. The paper
presents the application of climbing robots, unmanned
aerial vehicles and underwater robots to overcome
these challenges.
The combination of multiple robotic platforms, such
as autonomous surface vehicles and autonomous underwater
vehicles, represents a collaborative approach
to O&M. Obstacles include the need for accurate navigation,
building trust between humans and robots,
and research into artificial intelligence.
In conclusion, the integration of robotics in O&M
presents considerable advantages, increasing efficiency,
safety and cost-effectiveness. Further progress and
research into artificial intelligence are crucial in achieving
complete automation, which will transform the
O&M of OWTs.
This study identifies supply options for sustainable urban energy systems, which are robust to external system changes. A multi-criteria optimization model is used to minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and financial costs of a reference system. Sensitivity analyses examine the impact of changing boundary conditions related to GHG emissions, energy prices, energy demands, and population density. Options that align with both financial and emission reduction and are robust to system changes are called “no-regret” options. Options sensitive to system changes are labeled as “potential-risk” options.
There is a conflict between minimizing GHG emissions and financial costs. In the reference case, the emission-optimized scenario enables a reduction of GHG emissions (-93%), but involves higher costs (+160%) compared to the financially-optimized scenario.
No-regret options include photovoltaic systems, decentralized heat pumps, thermal storages, electricity exchange between sub-systems and with higher-level systems, and reducing energy demands through building insulation, behavioral changes, or the decrease of living space per inhabitant. Potential-risk options include solar thermal systems, natural gas technologies, high-capacity battery storages, and hydrogen for building energy supply.
When energy prices rise, financially-optimized systems approach the least-emission system design. The maximum profitability of natural gas technologies was already reached before the 2022 European energy crisis.
As Germany aims to increase its utilization of wind
power, the potential threat to bird populations due
to this expansion is a controversial issue. This paper
aims to collect data on the magnitude of bird strikes
on wind turbines, review existing protective measures
and explore innovative solutions. After a thorough
examination of the literature, it was concluded that
although the impact on bird populations is significant,
it may be overemphasized in popular debates. This
statement is not final as further research is necessary
to assess the impact of bird strikes and explore new
solutions. Comprehensive studies on this specific topic
in Germany are limited, which makes a thorough evaluation
challenging. While there are measures in place
to protect species that may be negatively impacted, it
is possible that these measures will not be adequate
for all of them. While several innovative methods
are under examination, progress in testing and implementation
is slow. Lastly, an information problem
was identified. Since the topic is highly politicized
and polarizing, it is crucial to provide the public with
accessible and reliable information on the discussed
themes. This is currently not the case due to a lack
of data and missing information campaigns.
Die Transformation der Energiesysteme im Rahmen der Energiewende macht diese durch zusätzliche Komponenten und Wechselwirkungen immer komplexer. Das ökonomische und ökologische Potenzial, dass sich aus der Nutzung der Synergien dieser Komponenten ergeben kann, erfordert eine gemeinsame Betrachtung des gesamten Energiesystems hinsichtlich sämtlicher Energie- und Verbrauchssektoren.
Die Energiesystemmodellierung stellt eine geeignete Methode zur Modellierung und Optimierung dieser urbanen Energiesysteme dar. Mit dem „Spreadsheet Energy System Model Generator“ (SESMG) hat die FH Münster ein Open Source Tool entwickelt, das die Betrachtung urbaner Quartiere ermöglicht. Diese können hinsichtlich verschiedener Zielkriterien wie z. B. monetären Kosten und THG-Emissionen optimiert werden. Die tabellenbasierte Eingabe erfordert keine Programmierkenntnisse. Das implementierte Urban District Upscaling Tool erleichtert die effektive Modellierung auch größerer Systeme. Die automatisierte Ergebnisaufbereitung ermöglicht eine schnelle Analyse der Ergebnisse.
This review paper provides an initial overview of the
state of the art of common corrosion protection methods
for offshore wind turbines. The functions of the
individual corrosion protection methods and their
interaction are explained. In addition, the specific corrosion
protection of different zones and components
of an offshore wind turbine will be discussed. Finally,
some information is given on current and possible
future developments in this subject area.
The upscaling of wind turbines has been increasing in
recent years and will continue to play a significant role
in the future, as it allows for the reduction of electricity
generation costs. Various challenges arise when it
comes to upscaling. This article summarizes the technical
challenges associated with upscaling wind turbines
and presenting their problem-solving approaches
and research trends based on other reviews. It was
found that the most frequently cited challenges are
related to individual components, such as rotor blades,
drive train, generator, tower, and noise impact.
For rotor blades, the challenges are increased flexibility,
more aeroelastic vibrations, increased wear,
interferences with radar and transportation difficulties.
Proposed solutions include the use of carbon-fiber
blades, prebending, novel paints, and for transportation,
segmented rotor blades and on-site manufacturing.
In the gearbox, torque increases, leading to
higher weight and susceptibility to errors. As a result,
the trend is moving towards gearless systems with
permanent magnet synchronous generators. Transportation
is the major issue with towers, which can
be resolved with on-site manufacturing. In terms of
noise emission, reducing aerodynamic noise plays the
most significant role.
Wind turbine structures take a major role in the
modern conversion to renewable energy sources and
contribute to the creation of a greener world. In recent
years, the development and installation of wind
turbines have seen rapid growth. However, with the
increasing capacity and size of wind farms worldwide,
there are growing concerns about the safety and reliability
of these installations. Therefore, structural
health monitoring and the detection of damage to
wind turbines have gained considerable importance in
research. Wind turbine blades are particularly susceptible
to various types of damage due to environmental
influences. This article provides an overview of signal
responses, sensors used and non-destructive testing
techniques in the field of damage detection on wind
turbine blades. The intention of the article is to give
an insight into the possibilities of structural health
monitoring and at the same time to point out unsolved
problems in this field.
The annual wastewater flow that is treated by public
wastewater treatment plants in Germany amounts
to approx. 10 ∗ 10^9 m3/a and forms an ”artificial” hydropower
potential that can be used for energy generation
or recovery. In the context of this paper, energy
recovery in the outlet of wastewater treatment plants
is examined using the specific example of the water
wheel at the Warendorf central wastewater treatment
plant. The ”artificial” hydropower potential can be
roughly estimated at up to 20 to 105 GWh/a , whereby
this is largely dependent on the hydraulic gradient.
The strong variance results, among other things, from
the findings of the water wheel operation in Warendorf.
The decisive aspect here is the differential factor,
which describes the deviation between the theoretical
and actual energy yield of the water wheel. The
factor includes maintenance work, downtimes and insufficient
inflows, which are associated with a loss of
output. In the case study, the annual energy recovery
amounts to approx. 2 % of the annual electricity consumption
of the wastewater treatment plant and can
be estimated to 23,500 kWh (2022). In the context
of the economic analysis, it can be seen that despite
the ”low” yield, economic operation is possible if the
system is viewed as a long-term investment - payback
period of the example is approx. 14,5 years. The
27-year operation (1996 - 2023) of the water wheel
at the Warendorf central wastewater treatment plant
confirms this and important findings on successful
practical operation can be shown in the context of
this paper.