Design defect of wind turbine operating in typhoon activity zone

Large numbers of wind farms have been and will be built in tropical cyclone zones. However historical events of wind turbine failures in typhoon or hurricane activities have illuminated that there is some defect in wind turbine design, due to not giving enough consideration on the effects of cyclone activity on wind turbine operating. Using observation data of meteorological wind towers, this study analyzes the variations of wind speed, turbulence and wind direction of super typhoon Saomai, when it was passing through Hedingshan wind farm of Zhejiang province in 2006. The reasons for wind turbine failures in the typhoon activity are clarified. The violent wind, drastic turbulence and sudden change of wind direction are major factors of wind turbine failures, in which exposes the design defects of wind turbine operating. Viewing from the effects of typhoon activity on wind turbine operating, this study puts forward some advice for designing an economical and anti-typhoon wind turbine which would have wide market prospects in many countries where tropical cyclone often occurs.

► Twenty seven wind turbines were damaged in typhoon Saomai activity in 2006.
► Abnormal wind and turbulence are major inducements of those wind turbine failures.
► Design defect of wind turbine has been indicated by examining failure mechanisms.
► Thinking of anti-typhoon wind turbine design is proposed.