- Category: Articles
![Figure 1. From bad to worse: eroded leading edge after several years of wind turbine operation KeyWindEnergy Windtech Int Impact of Rotor Blade Erosion Fig01](/images/stories/Features/2022Features/MarchApril2022Images/KeyWindEnergy_Windtech_Int_Impact-of-Rotor-Blade-Erosion_Fig01.jpg)
In recent years, operators of wind farms have become aware of an annoying effect reducing the performance of their turbines – the impact of weather-induced erosion at the rotor blade surface, mainly at the leading edge (Figure 1). Offshore wind parks in particular are impacted, driven by droplets of water hitting the blades with high velocity.
By Jan Liersch and Bastian Sundermann, Key Wind Energy, Germany
- Category: Articles
![Figure 1. The yaw ring is located between the tower and the nacelle CNC Figure 1](/images/stories/Features/2022Features/MarchApril2022Images/CNC-Figure-1.jpg)
A new invention for repairing yaw rings in situ is expected to make a contribution to extending the lifespan of wind turbines. Developed by Danish machining expert CNC Onsite, the patented system means the yaw ring does not need to be replaced, eliminating the expensive, time-consuming and potentially detrimental disassembly of the rotor and nacelle.
By Søren Kellenberger, Sales Director, CNC Onsite, Denmark
- Category: Articles
![Figure 1. Flow mapping around steady and oscillating aerodynamic profiles using particle image velocimetry and the derived lift force calculation using the Kutta–Joukowski theorem Albatrozz Figure 1](/images/stories/Features/2022Features/MarchApril2022Images/Albatrozz-Figure-1.jpg)
Since early 2019, the Albatrozz consortium has been active in the application of a principle that mimicks the landing behaviour of the albatross to increase the energy production of wind turbines especially at low wind speeds. Years of academic research have led to a patent and subsequently to governmental stimulation funding, and now the consortium is almost ready to do full-scale testing on a Vestas V52 wind turbine. This article describes the background story including technical details, plans and outlook.
By Eize J. Stamhuis, Albatrozz, the Netherlands
- Category: Articles
![Figure 1. Example of radar and camera coverage nvbird picture1](/images/stories/Features/2022Features/MarchApril2022Images/nvbird-picture1.jpg)
As part of efforts to combat climate change, there is rapid growth in renewable energy production around the world. However, bird collisions with wind turbines are likely to be an unfortunate side effect of any effort to ramp up renewable electricity supply.
By Orfanos Vasilis, nvisionist, Greece
- Category: Articles
![Gazelle Wind Platform 04b](/images/stories/Features/2022Features/JanFeb2022Images/Gazelle-Wind-Platform_04b.jpg)
The wind industry is rapidly growing and taking steps towards becoming a significant source of power. But, as the discussion around climate change becomes more serious, floating wind companies need to think smarter. We are starting to see many companies propose solutions that take their lead from the offshore oil and gas industry, but this approach has challenges related to material costs, scalability, speed to market, and its overall impact on the environment. As a result, there is not yet a clear technology leader. Alternatively, deep-water wind farms are ideally positioned to become the next frontier for achieving net zero carbon by 2050.
By Jon Salazar, Founder and President, Gazelle Wind Power, Ireland
- Category: Articles
![Figure 1. Trend in LCOE levelling off Atrevida Science figure 1](/images/stories/Features/2022Features/JanFeb2022Images/Atrevida-Science-figure-1.jpg)
To increase energy production, wind turbine and blade manufacturers have deployed progressively longer blades for the last 40 years. Blades have grown from, in the 1980s, ones that easily fit in the average suburban driveway, to today’s blades, which are longer than a football field. The impetus behind this growth is increasing energy production while reducing cost. An important metric that OEMs use to compare technological impact and make decisions is the levelised cost of energy (LCOE), an economic assessment of the cost of the energy generating system including all the costs over its lifetime. In other words, LCOE is the minimum price at which energy must be sold for an energy project to break even. Until now, the longer blades have proven successful in lowering LCOE, but diminishing returns indicate a new method is necessary.
By Claudia Maldonado, John Hall, Edward Tierney and James Roetzer, Atrevida Science, USA
- Category: Articles
![Figure 1. Typical wind blade design to show infused and pultruded parts. Coatings are spray or roller applied to the outer shell Covestro fig 1 English](/images/stories/Features/2022Features/JanFeb2022Images/Covestro-fig-1-English.jpg)
Covestro’s polyurethane solutions offer important cost savings for wind energy, as demonstrated by simulations carried out by Bewind based upon 12MW offshore wind turbines with 100-metre-long rotor blades. Covestro, a global polymer company, has applied its industrial expertise in high-tech polymer materials to develop polyurethane solutions for wind turbine applications which offer performance benefits and lower blade costs.
By Ernesto Silva M., Covestro Deutschland AG, and Dr. Johann Maass, Bewind, Germany
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