Latest revision as of 01:54, 27 July 2015

This report presents a brief introduction to wind energy and technologies available for horizontal wind turbines. A detailed taxonomy for horizontal axis wind turbines is presented covering parts of the turbine, control systems, applications among others. A detailed landscape analysis of patent and non-patent literature is done with a focus on Doubly-fed Induction Generators (DFIG) used in the horizontal axis wind turbines for efficient power generation. The product information of major players in the market is also captured for Doubly-fed Induction Generators. The final section of the report covers the existing and future market predictions for wind energy-based power generation.

Process Flow

Introduction

• We have been using wind power at least since 5000 BC to propel sailboats and sailing ships, and architects have used wind-driven natural ventilation in buildings since similarly ancient times. The use of wind to provide mechanical power came later.
• Harnessing renewable alternative energy is the ideal way to tackle the energy crisis, with due consideration given to environmental pollution, that looms large over the world.

• Renewable energy is also called "clean energy" or "green power" because it doesn’t pollute the air or the water. Wind energy is one such renewable energy source that harnesses natural wind power.
  

Read More?

Click on Wind Energy Background to read more about wind energy.

In order to overcome the problems associated with fixed speed wind turbine system and to maximize the wind energy capture, many new wind farms are employing variable speed wind energy conversion systems (WECS) with doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG). It is the most popular and widely used scheme for the wind generators due to its advantages.

For variable-speed systems with limited variable-speed range, e.g. ±30% of synchronous speed, the doubly-fed induction generator(DFIG) can be an interesting solution. This is mainly due to the fact that the power electronic converter only has to handle a fraction (20-30%) of the total power as the converters are connected to the rotor and not to the stator. Therefore, the losses in the power electronic converter can be reduced, compared to a system where the converter has to handle the total power. The overall structure of wind power generation through DFIG as shown in the figure below.

Market Research

The History of Wind Energy

To read about the History of Wind Energy, click here

Global Wind Energy Market

Market Overview

• In the year 2010, the wind capacity reached worldwide 196’630 Megawatt, after 159’050 MW in 2009, 120’903 MW in 2008, and 93’930 MW in 2007.

Source: World Wind Energy Report, 2010

• Wind power showed a growth rate of 23.6 %, the lowest growth since 2004 and the second lowest growth of the past decade.
• For the first time in more than two decades, the market for new wind turbines was smaller than in the previous year and reached an overall size of 37’642 MW, after 38'312 MW in 2009.

Source: World Wind Energy Report, 2010

• All wind turbines installed by the end of 2010 worldwide can generate 430 Tera watt hours per annum, more than the total electricity demand of the United Kingdom, the sixth largest economy of the world, and equaling 2.5 % of the global electricity consumption.
• In the year 2010, altogether 83 countries, one more than in 2009, used wind energy for electricity generation. 52 countries increased their total installed capacity, after 49 in the previous year.
• The turnover of the wind sector worldwide reached 40 billion Euros (55 billion US$) in 2010, after 50 billion Euros (70 billion US$) in the year 2009. The decrease is due to lower prices for wind turbines and a shift towards China.
• China became number one in total installed capacity and the center of the international wind industry, and added 18’928 Megawatt within one year, accounting for more than 50 % of the world market for new wind turbines.
• The wind sector in 2010 employed 670’000 persons worldwide.
• Nuclear disaster in Japan and oil spill in Gulf of Mexico will have long-term impact on the prospects of wind energy. Governments need to urgently reinforce their wind energy policies.
• WWEA sees a global capacity of 600’000 Megawatt as possible by the year 2015 and more than 1’500’000 Megawatt by the year 2020.

Source: World Wind Energy Report, 2010

Global Market Forecast

• Global Wind Energy Outlook 2010, provides forecast under three different scenarios - Reference, Moderate and Advanced.
• The Global Cumulative Wind Power Capacity is estimated to reach 572,733 MW by the year 2030, under the Reference Scenario
• The Global Cumulative Wind Power Capacity is estimated to reach 1,777,550 MW by the year 2030, under the Moderate Scenario
• The Global Cumulative Wind Power Capacity is estimated to reach 2,341,984 MW by the year 2030, under the Advanced Scenario
• The following chart shows the Global Cumulative Wind Power Capacity Forecast,under the different scenarios:

Global Cumulative Wind Power Capacity Forecast, Source: Global Wind Energy Outlook 2010

Source: Global Wind Energy Outlook 2010

Market Growth Rates

• The growth rate is the relation between the new installed wind power capacity and the installed capacity of the previous year.
• With 23.6 %, the year 2010 showed the second lowest growth rate of the last decade.

World Market Growth Rates, Source: World Wind Energy Report, 2010

• Before 2010, the annual growth rate had continued to increase since the year 2004, peaking in 2009 at 31.7%, the highest rate since 2001.
• The highest growth rates of the year 2010 by country can be found in Romania, which increased its capacity by 40 times.
• The second country with a growth rate of more than 100 % was Bulgaria (112%).
• In the year 2009, four major wind markets had more than doubled their wind capacity: China, Mexico, Turkey, and Morocco.
• Next to China, strong growth could be found mainly in Eastern European and South Eastern European countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Croatia and Cyprus, and Belgium.
• Africa (with the exception of Egypt and Morocco) and Latin America (with the exception of Brazil), are again lagging behind the rest of the world in the commercial use of wind power.
• The Top 10 countries by Growth Rate are shown in the figure listed below (only markets bigger than 200 MW have been considered):

Top Countries by Market Growth Rates, Source: World Wind Energy Report, 2010

Geographical Market Distribution

• China became number one in total installed capacity and the center of the international wind industry, and added 18'928 Megawatt within one year, accounting for more than 50 % of the world market for new wind turbines.
• Major decrease in new installations can be observed in North America and the USA lost its number one position in total capacity to China.
• Many Western European countries are showing stagnation, whereas there is strong growth in a number of Eastern European countries.
• Germany keeps its number one position in Europe with 27'215 Megawatt, followed by Spain with 20'676 Megawatt.
• The highest shares of wind power can be found in three European countries: Denmark (21.0%), Portugal (18.0 %) and Spain (16.0%).
• Asia accounted for the largest share of new installations (54.6%), followed by Europe (27.0%) and North America (16.7 %).
• Latin America (1.2%) and Africa (0.4%) still played only a marginal role in new installations.
• Africa: North Africa represents still lion share of installed capacity, wind energy plays hardly a role yet in Sub-Sahara Africa.
• Nuclear disaster in Japan and oil spill in Gulf of Mexico will have long-term impact on the prospects of wind energy. Governments need to urgently reinforce their wind energy policies.

Source: World Wind Energy Report, 2010

The regional breakdowns for the period 2009-2030 has been provided for the following three scenarios:

1. Regional Breakdown: Reference scenario (GWEO 2010)
2. Regional Breakdown: Moderate scenario (GWEO 2010)
3. Regional Breakdown: Advanced scenario (GWEO 2010)

Note: To know more about the Forecast Scenarios click here

Country-wise Market Distribution

• In 2010, the Chinese wind market represented more than half of the world market for new wind turbines adding 18.9 GW, which equals a market share of 50.3%.
• A sharp decrease in new capacity happened in the USA whose share in new wind turbines fell down to 14.9% (5.6 GW), after 25.9% or 9.9 GW in

the year 2009.

• Nine further countries could be seen as major markets, with turbine sales in a range between 0.5 and 1.5 GW: Germany, Spain, India, United

Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, Sweden and the Eastern European newcomer Romania.

• Further, 12 markets for new turbines had a medium size between 100 and 500 MW: Turkey, Poland, Portugal, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Japan, Bulgaria, Greece, Egypt, Ireland, and Mexico.
• By end of 2010, 20 countries had installations of more than 1 000 MW, compared with 17 countries by end of 2009 and 11 countries byend of 2005.
• Worldwide, 39 countries had wind farms with a capacity of 100 Megawatt or more installed, compared with 35 countries one year ago, and 24 countries five years ago.
• The top five countries (USA, China, Germany, Spain and India) represented 74.2% of the worldwide wind capacity, significantly more than 72.9 % in the year.
• The USA and China together represented 43.2% of the global wind capacity (up from 38.4 % in 2009).
• The newcomer on the list of countries using wind power commercially is a Mediterranean country, Cyprus, which for the first time installed a larger grid-connected wind farm, with 82 MW.

Source: World Wind Energy Report, 2010

The top 10 countries by Total Installed Capacity for the year 2010, is illustrated in the chart below:

Top Countries by Market Growth Rates, Source: World Wind Energy Report, 2010

To view the Top 10 countries by different other parameters for the year 2010, click on the links below:

1. Top 10 countries by Total New Installed Capacity
2. Top 10 countries by Capacity per Capita (kW/cap)
3. Top 10 countries by Capacity per Land Area (kW/sq. km)
4. Top 10 countries by Capacity per GDP (kW/ million USD)

To view the Country-wise Installed Wind Power Capacity (MW) 2002-2010 (Source: World Wind Energy Association), click here

Country Profiles

China

Wind Energy Outlook for China - 2011 & Beyond
Despite its rapid and seemingly unhampered expansion, the Chinese wind power sector continues to face significant challenges, including issues surrounding grid access and integration, reliability of turbines and a coherent strategy for developing China’s offshore wind resource. These issues will be prominent during discussions around the twelfth Five-Year Plan, which will be passed in March 2011. According to the draft plan, this is expected to reflect the Chinese government’s continuous and reinforced commitment to wind power development, with national wind energy targets of 90 GW for 2015 and 200 GW for 2020.

For a detailed country profile of China please visit this China Wind Energy Profile Link

India

Wind Energy Main market developments in 2010
Today the Indian market is emerging as one of the major manufacturing hubs for wind turbines in Asia. Currently, seventeen manufacturers have an annual production capacity of 7,500 MW. According to the WISE, the annual wind turbine manufacturing capacity in India is likely to exceed 17,000 MW by 2013.
The Indian market is expanding with the leading wind companies like Suzlon, Vestas, Enercon, RRB Energy and GE now being joined by new entrants like Gamesa, Siemens, and WinWinD, all vying for a greater market share. Suzlon, however, is still the market leader with a market share of over 50%.
The Indian wind industry has not been significantly affected by the financial and economic crises. Even in the face of a global slowdown, the Indian annual wind power market has grown by almost 68%. However, it needs to be pointed out that the strong growth in 2010 might have been stimulated by developers taking advantage of the accelerated depreciation before this option is phased out.

For a detailed country profile of India please visit this India Wind Energy Profile Link

Market Share Analysis

Global Market Share

• Vestas leads the Global Market in the 2010 with a 12% market share according to Make Consulting, while BTM Consulting reports it to have a 14.8% market share.
• According to Make Consulting, the global market share of Vestas has decreased from 19% in 2008, to 14.5% in 2009, to 12% in 2010.
• According to BTM Consulting, the global market share of Vestas has changed from 19% in 2008, to 12% in 2009, to 14.8% in 2010.
• According to Make Consulting, the global market share of GE Energy has decreased from 18% in 2008, to 12.5% in 2009, to 10% in 2010.
• The market share of world no. 2 Sinovel, has been constantly increasing, from 5% in 2008 , to 9.3% in 2009, to 11% in 2010
• The top 5 companies have been occupying more than half of the Global Market Share from 2008 to 2010

Source: Make Consulting, BTM Global Consulting

The chart given below illustrates the Global Market Share Comparison of Major Wind Energy Companies for the period 2008-2010, as provided by two different agencies, Make Consulting and BTM Consulting:

Global Market Share Comparison of Major Companies for the period 2008-2010 , Source: Make Consulting, BTM Global Consulting

Market Share - Top 10 Markets

• While Vestas is the Global Leader, it is the leader in only one of Top 10 markets, which is 10^th placed Sweden
• But, Vestas is ranked 2^nd in 5 of Top 10 markets
• Sinovel, ranked 2^nd globally, features only once in the Top 3 Companies list in the Top 10 markets, but scores globally because it leads the largest market China
• The table given below illustrates the Top 3 players in Top 10 Wind Energy Markets of the world:

Source: BTM Consult

Company Profiles

1. Vestas Wind Systems A/S
2. Suzlon Energy

Major Wind Turbine Suppliers

Products of Top Companies

IP Search & Analysis

Doubly-fed Induction Generator: Search Strategy

The present study on the IP activity in the area of horizontal axis wind turbines with focus on Doubly-fed Induction Generator (DFIG) is based on a search conducted on Thomson Innovation.

Control Patents

Patent Classes

Concept Table

Thomson Innovation Search

Database: Thomson Innovation
Patent coverage: US EP WO JP DE GB FR CN KR DWPI
Time line: 01/01/1836 to 07/03/2011

Taxonomy

• Use the mouse(click and drag/scroll up or down/click on nodes) to explore nodes in the detailed taxonomy
• Click on the red arrow adjacent to the node name to view the content for that particular node in the dashboard

Sample Analysis

A sample of 139 patents from the search is analyzed based on the taxonomy. Provided a link below for sample spread sheet analysis for doubly-fed induction generators.

Patent Analysis

Click here to view the detailed analysis sheet for doubly-fed induction generators patent analysis.

Article Analysis

Click here to view the detailed analysis sheet for doubly-fed induction generators article analysis.

Top Cited Patents

Top Cited Articles

White Space Analysis

• White-space analysis provides the technology growth and gaps in the technology where further R&D can be done to gain competitive edge and to carry out incremental innovation.
• Dolcera provides White Space Analysis in different dimensions. Based on Product, Market, Method of Use, Capabilities or Application or Business Area and defines the exact categories within the dimension.
• Below table shows a sample representation of white space analysis for controlling DFIG parameters with converters, based on the sample analysis.

Dolcera Dashboard

Dashboard Link

Doubly Fed Induction Generator - Dashboard

• Flash Player is essential to view the Dolcera dashboard

Key Findings

Major Players

• Vestas Wind Energy Systems and General Electric are the major players in wind energy generation technology.

Major Players

Key Patents

• The key patents in the field are held by US Windpower, Oregon State and Vestas Wind Energy Systems.

Key Patents

IP Activity

• Patenting activity has seen a very high growth rate in the last two years.

Year wise IP Activity

Geographical Activity

• USA, China, Germany, Spain, and India are very active in wind energy research.

Geographical Activity

Research Trend

• Around 86% patents are on controlling the doubly-fed induction generation(DFIG) which indicates high research activity going on in rating and controlling of the DFIG systems.

Issues in the Technology

• 86% of the patent on DFIG operation are focusing on grid connected mode of operation, suggesting continuous operation of the DFIG system during weak and storm winds, grid voltage sags, and grid faults are major issues in the current scenario.

Problem Solution Mapping

Emerging Player

• Woodward is a new and fast developing player in the field of DFIG technology. The company filed 10 patent applications in the field in year 2010, while it has no prior IP activity.

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References

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