Short answer

Incorporate system-level simulation early in the design process to understand the full lifecycle cost and performance implications of component choices.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (2013)
Method: Simulation and Emulation
Evidence: Strong effect

A software tool that emulates wind farm design based on turbine specifications can identify optimal turbine designs for minimizing the cost of electricity. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2013 study published in Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS). Using Simulation and emulation, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate system-level simulation early in the design process to understand the full lifecycle cost and performance implications of component choices.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Emulating Wind Farm Design Optimizes Turbine Cost-Effectiveness

A software tool that emulates wind farm design based on turbine specifications can identify optimal turbine designs for minimizing the cost of electricity.

Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) · 2013

Key Findings

01The emulation method can lead to improved wind turbine designs.
02Industrial users confirmed the utility of the simulation program.
03The tool can foster collaboration between marketing and engineering departments.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate system-level simulation early in the design process to understand the full lifecycle cost and performance implications of component choices.

How to apply

When designing a component that is part of a larger system (e.g., a turbine for a wind farm, an engine for a vehicle), use simulation software to model the entire system and identify design choices that optimize overall system performance and cost.

Project actions

01When designing a product that interacts with other systems, consider how you can simulate or model the entire system to understand the impact of your design.
02Think about how different departments (like marketing and engineering) might use a tool to collaborate on design decisions.

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop and validate a method for assessing the impact of wind turbine design on the overall cost and performance of an offshore wind farm.

MethodSimulation and Emulation

ProcedureA software program was developed to automatically design an offshore wind farm based on user-provided wind turbine input parameters. This program was used to simulate different turbine designs and evaluate their impact on the cost of energy. The method was tested through a case study and with industrial users.

ContextOffshore wind energy sector, wind turbine design, wind farm development

Variables

IVWind turbine design parameters (e.g., rotor diameter, generator size, blade pitch control strategy).

DVCost of energy (€/MWh), wind farm performance (e.g., annual energy production).

CVWind resource characteristics, site conditions, installation costs, maintenance strategies, electrical infrastructure.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Developed a practical tool for design optimization.
+Validated the method with industrial users, showing real-world applicability.

Limitations

The accuracy of any simulation is dependent on the quality of the data and the assumptions made in the model. Real-world conditions can introduce variables not accounted for in the simulation.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is supported by a case study and industrial user feedback. Reliability would depend on the reproducibility of the simulation results given the same inputs and model.

Think critically

How might the 'emulation' approach be applied to other complex systems beyond wind farms, and what are the potential challenges in developing such emulators?

Design Principles

"Design for system-level optimization by considering the impact of individual component choices on the overall system's cost and performance."

This approach allows designers to understand the downstream economic and performance impacts of their turbine choices on the entire wind farm. By simulating various turbine configurations, design teams can make more informed decisions that lead to more cost-effective and efficient energy solutions.

What This Means for Your Design

Imagine you're designing a part for a bigger machine. This research shows that using a computer program to 'pretend' to build the whole machine with your part can help you figure out if your part makes the whole machine cheaper and work better.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this research when discussing how your design choices impact the overall system or its economic viability.
2.Use the concept of emulation to justify the use of simulation or modelling in your design process.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research by Zaaijer (2013) demonstrates the value of using emulation and simulation tools to optimize component design within a larger system. By modelling the entire wind farm, the study identified turbine designs that minimized the cost of electricity, highlighting how component-level decisions have significant system-level economic impacts. This approach underscores the importance of considering downstream effects and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in the design process.

Source

Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS)

Great expectations for offshore wind turbines: Emulation of wind farm design to anticipate their value for customers

journal · 2013

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about emulating wind farm design optimizes turbine cost-effectiveness?: Incorporate system-level simulation early in the design process to understand the full lifecycle cost and performance implications of component choices. Evidence: Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (2013).
Why does "Emulating Wind Farm Design Optimizes Turbine Cost-Effectiveness" matter for design?: This approach allows designers to understand the downstream economic and performance impacts of their turbine choices on the entire wind farm. By simulating various turbine configurations, design teams can make more informed decisions that lead to more cost-effective and efficient energy solutions.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate system-level simulation early in the design process to understand the full lifecycle cost and performance implications of component choices.
What were the main findings?: The emulation method can lead to improved wind turbine designs.. Industrial users confirmed the utility of the simulation program.. The tool can foster collaboration between marketing and engineering departments.
What research method was used?: Simulation and Emulation.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2013 journal from Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing a component that is part of a larger system (e.g., a turbine for a wind farm, an engine for a vehicle), use simulation software to model the entire system and identify design choices that optimize overall system performance and cost.
What are the limitations?: The effectiveness of the tool is dependent on the accuracy of the input data and the underlying simulation models. The study did not explore the long-term operational maintenance costs in detail.