Intelligent wind power generators with variable shape of the blades
Modern wind turbines sound like racing cars with a single transmission. Slow in low wind, deformed under strong. Turbines produce electricity efficiently only within a narrow range of moderate wind speeds.
Purdue University scientists want to change this situation and engaged in the creation of intelligent wind turbine, which changes the geometry of their blades, depending on the strength of the wind. Such clever turbines will help maximize the amount of electricity produced by wind, while ensuring durability.
«In the end, we want to put ailerons on the blades, which allow to quickly change the profile of the wing», - says John White, an engineer, working on this project.
«Second, you have one type of blade, then the next second, depending on wind speed, the wing will take a new form», - continued White.
Recently, scientists found three accelerometers to test wind turbine blades.
In the international classification of 9 meter blade set made of balsa wood and fiberglass are on the verge of private facilities and generators to commercial scale.
Installed accelerometers measure the rotation and twisting of the invisible blades. At the first stage of their study, researchers measured fatigue wings and effectiveness of their work. This information is necessary in order to design the future of wind power generators, whose operating time significantly exceeds the current limit of 20 years.
After the team to gather enough data, the accelerometers will be linked to the ailerons.
Traditionally, turbine blades are rigidly fixed. They have a fixed form that is optimized to work with a moderate wind. When the wind has a low speed fender is too narrow for him and therefore the generator is not effective. At high wind speeds, which could potentially produce more energy, the blades are moving too quickly, which can break them, so operators have to limit the speed of rotation.
Connection accelerometers with ailerons would turbine blades to quickly change shape and thus adapt to any wind. This solution also optimizes the production of electricity and extends the life span.
Wind turbines already quite effective. Adding intelligence capabilities will be able to increase the production of electricity. Add to this the reduced installation costs and increased life expectancy and the savings would be substantial.
All this will help reduce the cost of wind energy. Even if the blade equipped with an accelerometer will not physically change its shape, more accurate data obtained by the operator of the turbine, will help it more accurately adjust their systems.
Intelligent wind powers generators can be bought just three years, the function of changing the geometry have to wait a little longer.