2022 Prototype Installation and Testing Awardee: Windward Engineering

Program Document · Wed Sep 20 04:00:00 EDT 2023

OSTI ID:2005558

The 60-kilowatt (kW) Zephyr 21/60 wind turbine from Windward Engineering uses a low-cost, full-span independent pitch system that can act as a redundant aerodynamic braking system. This design uses a relatively simple pneumatic rotary vane actuator, allowing each of the turbine's three blades to be pitched independently and any single blade to activate emergency braking for the entire turbine. A previous Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP) funding award enabled Windward Engineering to design and develop the Zephyr 21/60 wind turbine's aeroelastic model and pitch system. At the end of this current Competitiveness Improvement Project award, a fully validated aeroelastic model will make it possible to certify Windward Engineering's Zephyr 21/60 design and quantify the technology's levelized cost of energy in preparation for certification and entry into the distributed wind market. The Zephyr 21/60 will feature an attractive levelized cost of energy, improved reliability, and a full-span pitch system for safe and redundant protection against rotor overspeed (which occurs when the rotor turns beyond its design limit).

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Wind Energy Technologies Office
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 2005558
• Report Number(s): NREL/FS-5000-87370; MainId:88145; UUID:be2a4185-5ee2-48ae-8267-6a0e9d803c24; MainAdminID:70702
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CIP
Competitiveness Improvement Project
WIND ENERGY
distributed wind
distributed wind technology
wind energy