Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software was used to compare the performance of a handmade wind turbine blade with that of a conventional factory made model. The geometry was simplified to 2D aerofoils and the surrounding flow field was analysed at a Reynold’s number of 80,000. It was found that the lift/drag characteristics of the two aerofoils across a range of angles of attack were virtua...

Increasing the efficiency of wind turbines will be vital for the wind energy sector to continue growing. The drive for increased efficiency is pushing turbine manufacturers to shift from glass fibre composite blades towards carbon/glass fibre-hybrid composite blades. This shift brings significant challenges in terms of optimising the design and understanding the failure of these new blade mater...

In this study, the feasibility of using micro-wind turbines to power wireless sensors on a cable-stayed bridge is comprehensively investigated. To this end, the wind environment around a bridge onto which a turbine is installed is examined, as is the power consumption of a wireless sensor. Feasible alternators and rotors are then carefully selected to make an effective small wind generator (kno...

Wind is one of the cheapest and widely source of alternative energy. To convert it into electrical energy a wind turbine with generator is used but to properly convert this wind energy into electrical energy proper design of wind turbine is needed. In this paper we presents a genetic algorithm based optimization technique for the estimation of wind turbine parameters on the basis of requirement...

At low Reynolds numbers, laminar-turbulent transition occurs on the suction side of high-lift low-pressure turbine blades. The prediction of this flow is an important step in low-pressure turbine design. Thus the laminar-turbulent transition must be modeled or resolved. The flow around the high-lift low-pressure turbine blade T106C is predicted using RANS simulations, without and with transitio...

This paper briefly describes the implementation of a coupled near and far wake model for wind turbine rotor induction in the aeroelastic code HAWC2 and its application for flutter analysis of the NREL 5 MW wind turbine. The model consists of a far wake part based on Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory, which is coupled with Beddoes’ near wake model for trailed vorticity. The first part of this ...

OBJECTIVES A utility-scale wind turbine blade manufacturing plant requested assistance from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in controlling worker exposures to styrene at a plant that produced 37 and 42 m long fiber-reinforced wind turbine blades. The plant requested NIOSH assistance because previous air sampling conducted by the company indicated concerns about...

During their operation, modern aircraft engine components are subjected to increasingly demanding operating conditions, especially the high pressure turbine (HPT) blades. Such conditions cause these parts to undergo different types of time-dependent degradation, one of which is creep. A model using the finite element method (FEM) was developed, in order to be able to predict the creep behaviour...

Free stream tidal turbines are a source of growing interest in the marine renewable energy field. Some designs that use an actuated mechanism to control individual blade pitch, as the tidal current varies and even during a revolutionary cycle, face the challenge of ensuring high reliability under the loads imposed on the device in the harsh sub sea environment. Adaptive materials have been used...

During their operation, modern aircraft engine components are subjected to increasingly demanding operating conditions, especially the high pressure turbine (HPT) blades. Such conditions cause these parts to undergo different types of time-dependent degradation, one of which is creep. A model using the finite element method (FEM) was developed, in order to be able to predict the creep behaviour...