Presentations

Abstract

The increasing implementation of advanced operational strategies in wind farms, such as noise reduction, sector-specific shutdowns, automatic bird detection systems or grid curtailments, is reshaping the traditional working modes of wind turbines. These strategies are often driven by environmental and regulatory requirements, aiming to minimize impacts on surrounding ecosystems, such as reducing noise levels and protecting avian and bat populations. This study investigates the impact of these strategies on the structural fatigue of wind turbine components. With the growing trend of installing larger turbines, their adaptation to specific sites no longer depends solely on wind conditions but also on critical factors like proximity to urban areas, grid capacity and bird migration routes. The integration of time-based operational modes and dynamic bird detection systems or real-time grid limitations allows for a significant increase in downtime while decreasing the energy output. Furthermore, this operational variability, particularly the increased frequency of turbine starts and stops, can lead to accelerated wear and reduced component lifespan. The presentation presents a comparative analysis of various operational scenarios, evaluating the implications of noise reduction curves and bird detection systems or grid limitations (total or partial) on turbine performance and durability. Results highlight the trade-offs between achieving environmental compliance and maintaining the expected lifespan of the turbines, providing valuable insights for optimizing wind farm operations. Finally, the results indicate that, in 2–3 MW wind turbine platforms, curtailments associated with bird detection systems can lead to a reduction of up to 9% in the lifespan of the tower bottom, which is identified as the most significantly affected component. However, in most cases, the rotor components—specifically the blades and bolted joints—continue to represent the primary limiting factors in extending the operational life of the wind turbine. It is important to note that these findings are highly dependent on the design class of the wind turbine, the curtailment strategies implemented, and the specific wind conditions at the site. Keywords: Wind turbines, noise reduction, bird detection systems, grid curtailment, structural fatigue, operational strategies, environmental compliance.