Objective The primary objectives of the project are to: - Develop an advanced, soft composite hub extender with passive pitch capability, and thereby reduce the fatigue loads on the entire turbine. - Develop an advanced light, soft composite blade that together with the hub extender minimizes the fatigue loads on the turbine. - Demonstrate the possibility of increasing the diameter of the rotor, and thereby the energy output of the turbine, without increasing the loads on the turbine, by mounting advanced composite hub extenders and/or blades. - Develop a design tool and a manufacturing method for soft, light, passive twist rotors for large turbines. The expected achievements of the project are: - 15 % increase in annual energy output from large wind turbines with no increase in the fatigue loads. - 20 % increase in swept area with no increase in the fatigue loads. - 20 % decrease in blade weight and 5 - 10% decrease in blade costs. 2. Deliverables The deliverables of the project consist of the following: - A report describing the theoretical analysis of a flexible rotor with reference to the BONUS 750 kW turbine, concluding with suitable design recommendations. - A report describing the design. The report will also include the material properties of the materials used. - Four hub extenders (one for static and dynamic test). - A report on the results of static and dynamic testing of the hub extenders. - A power curve measurement report (turbine with hub extenders). - A load measurement report (turbine with hub extenders). - A verification report comparing the theoretical analysis with the measurements. - A report describing the design of a new flexible blade. - Four blades (one for static and dynamic test). - A report on the results of static and dynamic testing of the new flexible blade. - A power curve measurement report (turbine with flexible blades). - A load measurement report (turbine with flexible blades). - A verification report comparing the theoretical analysis with the measurements. - An executive summary of 100 pages max. can be prepared for publication, if the Commission so requests. The aim of the project is to improve the cost effectiveness of large wind turbines. Aeroelastic and structural dynamic computer codes have shown a large potential in reducing fatigue loads on three-bladed turbines by using lighter and more soft rotors. An additional benefit can be gained by passively pitching (unload) the blades as wind speed increases. The project will prove the benefits that the computer codes show in practice. Composite material analysis, evaluation of new production methods and large variety of computer simulations will be the basis of designing a composite hub extender and a new composite blade for the BONUS 750 kW turbine. First the hub extender will be tested in a laboratory to determine if the wanted passive pitch capability, softness and fatigue strength have been obtained. Then the BONUS 750 kW turbine will be equipped with the hub-extenders and measurements will be carried out. The results will be checked against aeroelastic computer simulations. The gained experience will be used in design of a new flexible, light and passively pitching blade. After static and initial dynamic tests of one blade, a turbine will be equipped with the new rotor. The project finishes with intensive dynamic load measurements on the turbine and one blade. Fields of science engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcompositesengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energywind powernatural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model Programme(s) FP3-JOULE 2 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of non-nuclear energy, 1990-1994 Topic(s) 0302 - Renewable power plants Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator LM Glasfiber A/S EU contribution No data Address 1,Rolles Moellevej 6640 Lunderskov Denmark See on map Total cost No data Participants (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Bonus Energy A/S Denmark EU contribution No data Address 4,Fabriksvej 7330 Brande See on map Total cost No data National Engineering and Assessment Group Ltd United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Scottish Enterprise Techical Park G15 0QR Glasgow See on map Total cost No data
