Offshore Wind Energy -part 1

Level of Study

Master

Teaching semester

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Objectives and Content

The course gives an introduction to selected topics relevant for the utilization of offshore wind energy. The course gives the students basic insight about the wind over the ocean and how the wind energy can be extracted. Further, the challenges related to wind turbines in ocean waves are addressed. Key topics covered in this course are:

• History and future development of offshore wind energy.
• Basic meteorology for offshore wind, including techniques for measurement and analysis of wind fields.
• Aerodynamics of wind turbines. Momentum theory, airfoils.
• Characteristics of wind turbines and wind farms.
• Description of ocean waves. Wave spectra and wave statistics.
• Introduction to wave loads on support structures.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has basic knowledge about

• the characteristics of the marine atmospheric boundary layer and techniques for analysing wind fields.
• aerodynamic principles for extracting wind energy
• kinematics and dynamics of ocean waves.
• the principles of computation of wave loads on simple marine structures.

Skills

The student can

• estimate vertical wind profiles in the lower atmospheric boundary layer and perform statistical analysis of wind field data
• use basic momentum theory in estimating power from wind turbines
• describe irregular ocean waves by linear wave theory
• estimate wave loads on simple marine structures.

General competence

The student

• Understands the basic principles of the methods used for estimating power extraction from and loads on offshore wind turbines.
• can ask critical questions to assumptions made and results obtained.

Required Previous Knowledge

None

Recommended Previous Knowledge

MAT212, PHYS113, MAT131 is recommended

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

None

Access to the Course

Access to the course requires admission to either 2 year Master's programme in energy or 5 year integrated masterprogram in energy at master lever.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures: 4 hours a week over 5- 6 weeks, or during a more condensed period of time. Total approx. 24 lectures.

About six exercises, related to the topics lectured.

A project / group work, including literature review spanning several of the topics lectured.

Presentation of project /group work.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

All exercises / Project work and presentation must be approved. Compulsory project work is valid for 2 subsequent semesters.

Forms of Assessment

Written exam, 4 hours

Examination Support Material

Non-programmable calculator, according to the faculty regulations.

Grading Scale

The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.

Assessment Semester

Examination both spring semester and autumn semester. In semesters without teaching the examination will be arranged at the beginning of the semester.

Reading List

The reading list will be available within June 1st for the autumn semester and January 1st for the spring semester

Course Evaluation

The course will be evaluated by the students in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the department

Normally, referents groups will be used each year.

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses.