Researchers have announced a project they say could fundamentally change the design and installation of wind blades, bring the cost of wind energy in-line with fossil fuels and allow for more developments in moderate wind-speed markets. The project hinges on a design that wraps tensioned architectural fabric around a metal space frame, much like early…
Improving Wind Turbine Design Through Advanced Simulation Techniques
Advancements in simulation technology continue to provide benefits to engineers in the field of wind power engineering. Windpower engineers now have the ability to simulate all aspects of the wind turbine; from detailed structural models of the blades that determine stresses and strains, to highly accurate aerodynamic models of the rotor that reflect its response…
How are wind turbine blades changing?
Rotor blades, like aircraft wings, are essentially cantilevered beams with aerodynamic exteriors. Early blades were made of wood. More recently, they consist of fiberglass and epoxy resins manufactured by reaction injection molding in rather complex equipment. The quest for greater power will demand longer blades which has led designers to examine carbon fibers as a…
Keeping Weight Down Key to Boosting Turbine Performance
The V90-3.0 MW turbine from Vestas Americas improves on previous designs thanks to lightweight carbon fiber in blades and stronger steel for a lighter tower. What’s more, a microprocessor controlled pitch regulator and redesigned nacelle further improve the turbine’s performance. The company says minimizing weight was a matter of high priority. As weight goes up,…
Blade sensors could let turbines adapt faster
Researchers have developed a technique that lets sensors monitor forces exerted on wind turbine blades, a step toward improving their efficiency by letting them adjust to rapidly changing wind conditions. The research by engineers at Purdue University and Sandia National Laboratories is part of an effort to develop a smarter wind turbine. “The goal is…