A new project will design and test innovative blade tips for wind turbines which can increase the existing rotor size, producing up to 8% more energy per year, while regulating loads in a
smart way. Innovationsfonden has invested 10,8 mil. kr. in the project.
Further increase in the size of wind turbine rotors is nowadays challenging, since loads increase more than the power. The goal of the project is ambitious, yet looking at all the diversity in wing tip design in both aerospace and nature, the project participants are very optimistic for a huge potential for innovation. The successful application of such innovative concepts has the potential to yield considerable more wind energy per year, supporting a blade retrofit business case, thus displacing millions of tons of CO2 each year, while creating new jobs and increased export revenue for Denmark.
The tip region for wind turbines produces the most energy, loads and noise, yet the complex flow conditions there require sophisticated simulation tools. DTU Wind Energy and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy will combine their expertise and apply high-fidelity surrogate based optimization, wind tunnel and mechanical testing to develop multiple tip innovations and field test the most promising concept.
"Small directly implemented innovations with high impact are needed to achieve the next technology leap in modern wind turbine rotors. We will be developing very advanced blade tip concepts which are able to deliver more power while adapting to load changes. This can be a grand solution for Danish wind turbine innovation". - Athanasios Barlas, Researcher, DTU Wind Energy.
The project is a collaboration between DTU Wind Energy and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy in Denmark. Together they will develop innovative blade tips for wind turbines which can increase
the existing rotor size, generating more energy, while regulating loads in a smart way.