Wind Turbine Blade Concept 'Significantly' Reduces Wind Energy Cost
%2Favatars%2F6UKotck4r9pz.jpg&w=96&q=75)
%2Fimg%2Fiea%2FzDOZJ4jjOk%2Fconcept-blade-dtu.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
A group of researchers from Stanford University recently claimed that the entire world could be powered by renewable energy by 2050. While this feat is achievable, it will also require engineering innovation to continue at a rapid pace.
As a Technical University of Denmark (DTU) press release explains, a new wind turbine blade concept "has the potential to significantly reduce the yearly cost of wind energy," and in doing so, bolster global efforts to shift towards renewable energy.
The innovative design, called SmartTip, could displace "millions of tons of CO2 each year," the statement reads.
The SmartTip concept project was started in 2017 and was finalized last year. Researchers on the project found that by increasing an existing rotor size, significantly more energy could be produced per year, at the same time as "mitigating loads in a smart way."
Innovationsfonden invested approximately $1.2 million in SmartTip, which was a collaboration between DTU Wind Energy and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy in Denmark.
'Multi-fidelity surrogate aeroelastic' optimization
For the project, novel blade tips were designed through "multi-fidelity surrogate aeroelastic model-based optimization," the researchers say.
These tests showed a potential load neutral Annual Energy Production increase of 4-6%. Tip prototypes were manufactured and tested in the Large Scale Facility, in the Poul la Cour wind tunnel, and in atmospheric rotating rig tests at DTU.
The researchers say their findings will support novel blade design business cases with potential increased export revenue in Denmark.
Though precious few details have been released of the blade concept design, DTU did release some images to accompany its press release. The top image shows the full-scale tip aeroelastic prototype tested in atmospheric conditions on the rotating test rig at the Risø DTU National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy.
DTU's project is just one of many initiatives in which engineers are working to mitigate the climate crisis with new, innovative designs aimed at streamlining the shift to renewable energy.
SHOW COMMENT (1)
/2022/09/13/image/jpeg/XESipDgzo626YevyD1EBRRN1fWfmMkGrbPgIJuoF.jpg "Disruptive innovation: how the likes of Apple and Microsoft excel")
/2023/05/31/image/jpeg/cBPsRNE1Kc9USJTb6RvLg98fqY30HyEbhqfnvWg8.jpg "Advancing fusion energy: Researchers achieve record-breaking temperatures in a tokamak")
/2023/06/03/image/jpeg/MwGIp61b2PM577qboU4pfCmoiPEju8IbV9fCHbx8.jpg "Hawking was right: All large objects will eventually evaporate")
/2023/02/22/image/jpeg/Warxwqqd58pvAGFSYZCFwyUMDP40B6iK6y2g5ilt.jpg "Expert: Building management system can cut emissions, boost sustainability")
/2023/04/06/image/jpeg/DjJ0SOwRc4oRatXV5mo236xS1g26nItPa5Qqf8qb.jpg "How cultivated meat can solve the problems of animal-sourced meat")
/2022/09/04/image/jpeg/2zKXu74Q17G62hgOOTlCCAChSSF7yDtu0qVQOikn.jpg "Future microbatteries could help tiny robots tackle space and time")
/2022/09/16/image/jpeg/ylQGrpxWUrV4hYEozvIgkubGJEJr781zH1Bfg8ZQ.jpg "A Turkish clinic swaps refugees' warzone-welded prosthetics for free 3D-printed ones")
/2023/05/28/image/jpeg/X1sB2puBpxN1VWCWMDkaa7Uwd2FUAdOP6AxTp8T8.jpg "NGAD: The chosen one - US Air Force commits to sole 6th-generation fighter")
/2023/05/26/image/jpeg/1JXrkwK7efWVsmu4aRFf4fdD1Ptufo7ZAU7UMPLd.jpg "US Carrier Strike Group can be countered with 24 hypersonic missiles, China claim")
/2023/05/26/image/jpeg/smTFO3AG7ESAzCi8L0kVnrUEHbVmcjiZ2KhVW0QE.jpg "Potential cure for diabetes found in groundbreaking stem cell study")