Final Technical Report
This variable length wind turbine blade project met the project objectives by successfully completing the task schedule. A set of variable length blades (8 to 12 meters in length) is now flying, in a configuration that is representative of a commercial blade designed to replace a standard 9 meter blade. Static testing and operations show that the blades are durable and stiff enough to prevent tower strikes. Power curve testing shows significant gains in low wind speed power production. An improved controller and drive mechanism have now been working for six months. Moving forward, we continue to monitor power curve, controller performance, and durability data. The project has made good progress towards understanding the costs and challenges associated with commercial production of variable length blades. Items that will require further study are: tip airfoil; blade pitching, tip and root interface design; jigs for more efficient construction, and optimization of subsystems
- Research Organization:
- Energy Unlimited, Inc
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG36-03GO13171
- OSTI ID:
- 841190
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
NREL airfoil families for HAWTs
NREL airfoil families for HAWTs