High-Fidelity Co-Simulation and Wind-Grid Coupling Mechanism Analysis of 15 MW Wind Turbines
Bowen Chen, Yonggang Lin, Danyang Li, Zhongpeng Cao, Yajing Gu The State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. 2026-06-27

Abstract

To address the multi-scale dynamic coupling challenges in 15 MW wind turbines, this paper establishes a full-dimensional aerodynamic-mechanical-electrical co-simulation platform integrating OpenFAST, Simpack, and Simulink. A dynamic data-exchange interface and a multi-rate cross-domain co-simulation strategy are proposed to overcome severe numerical stiffness. Based on this platform, the transient electromagnetic torque variations induced by Low Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT) and their impact on drivetrain fatigue are investigated, with a specific focus on the dynamic meshing forces within the gearbox. Preliminary results reveal a strictly phase-dependent nonlinear coupling mechanism: when the grid dip coincides with the falling edge of a wind gust, high-frequency electrical transients constructively interfere with mechanical torsional vibrations, amplifying extreme gearbox loads; conversely, when coinciding with the rising edge of a gust, a destructive interference occurs, where the sustained aerodynamic torque acts as a physical buffer that effectively mitigates the transient mechanical shocks. This study provides a necessary theoretical baseline for subsequent gearbox reliability design and anti-fatigue control under complex multi-source excitations.

Key words: 15 MW Wind Turbine, Multi-body dynamics, Co-simulation, Electromechanical coupling dynamics

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