Design of Self-erecting Tower for a Wind Turbine

Abstract

The rise in total installed wind energy structures globally demonstrated the dominance of wind energy among the means of sustainable energy production. However, the major challenge in the installation of horizontal-axis wind turbines is the use of mobile crane to install the components. This research reports on a new method of installing the wind turbine without the use of a mobile crane. A self-erecting design was proposed, in which the whole components of tower and turbine will be assembled at the installation site. The highest peak wind speed adopted for the site under research was 56 km/h, the thickness of base plates material that connected the tower to the base was 11 mm, and the calculated size of jack recommended to lift the tower was 2575 kg. Also, the stiffness of the weak section of the tower was calculated to be 8633 kN/m, and the frequency of vibration of the tower was found to be 191 Hz. A 48 V, 1600 W A.C wind turbine was selected to be installed on the tower under design for the analysis of forces acting on the tower. The wind speed data uses for the chosen site was recorded during the raining season in Kano. The design considered a tubular steel tower, from steel pipes that are symmetrical in diameter, but with the diameter of the pipes increasing toward the base: 51 mm, 73 mm and 89 mm. The pipes were to be assembled together using steel reducer sockets, and then to be welded to obtain a permanent solid tower. The erection of the tower was designed to be achieved by the use of a jack, preferably electric jack that require less effort to operate, attached at the fulcrum, while the tower tilted at the pivot that connected the tower to the base. The proposed structural advancement can meet the design requirements and lower the construction cost of the tower significantly.