Development of large, horizontal-axis wind turbines

Technical Report · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6007488

Baldwin, D H; Kennard, J

A major segment of the Federal Wind Energy Program sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) is the program to develop large, horizontal-axis wind turbines. The NASA Lewis Research Center manages that segment for DOE. The program is directed toward developing the technology for safe, reliable, environmentally acceptable large wind turbines that can generate a significant amount of electricity at costs competitive with those of conventional electricity-generating systems. In addition, these large wind turbines must be fully compatible with electric utility operations and interface requirements. Several ongoing projects in large-wind-turbine development are directed toward meeting the technology requirements for utility applications. The machines based on first-generation technology (Mod-OA and Mod-1) successfully completed their planned periods of experimental operation in June 1982. The second-generation machines (Mod-2) are in operation at selected utility sites. A third-generation machine (Mod-5) is under contract. Erection and initial operation of the Mod-5 in Hawaii should take place in 1986. Each successive generation of technology has increased reliability and energy capture while reducing the cost of electricity. These advances are being made by gaining a better understanding of the system-design drivers, improving the analytical design tools, verifying design methods with operating field data, and incorporating new technology and innovative designs. This report is an overview of the large-wind-turbine activities managed by NASA Lewis. These activities include results from the first- and second-generation machines (Mod-OA, -1, and -2), the status of the Department of Interior WTS-4 machine for which NASA Lewis is responsible for technical management, and the status of the third-generation wind turbine (Mod-5).

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center; Sverdrup Technology, Middleburg Heights, OH (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AI01-76ET20320
• OSTI ID: 6007488
• Report Number(s): DOE/NASA/20320-62; NASA-TM-86950; ON: DE85010012
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
170602* -- Wind Energy Engineering-- Turbine Design & Operation
MACHINERY
POWER RANGE 1-10 MW
POWER RANGE 100-1000 KW
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
WIND TURBINES