Articles tagged with Turbines
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a method to compare the performance of different wind turbine designs, using machine learning and social science analysis. The study found that this technique can provide a robust and accurate way to determine the merit of competing technologies.
Dr Martin White's research proposes a two-phase expansion system that can generate up to 28% more power than conventional single-phase systems. The study aims to enhance the performance of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems for waste heat recovery, reducing environmental footprint in industries such as iron and steel, food, and drink.
Researchers found a predicted average annual production gain of 0.8% for large sampling of commercial US wind plants using wake steering. This technique increases power output by nearly 70% while maintaining energy generation costs.
Experts predict significant cost reductions in wind energy by 2035 and 2050, driven by larger turbines, lower capital and operating costs. The study's findings offer insights into the magnitude of cost reductions and drivers for improvement.
Researchers developed a low-cost technology that harnesses excess grid pressure to generate electricity, reducing diesel generator use and carbon footprint. Annual savings and CO2 emissions reductions reached €2,400 and up to 9 tons respectively, benefiting farmers in off-grid areas.
New research suggests that existing acoustic monitoring measures are insufficient to reliably predict bat mortality risk at large wind turbines. To improve coverage, scientists recommend installing supplementary ultrasonic detectors and complementary sensor technologies like radar systems or thermal imaging cameras.
A recent field study conducted by Iowa State University researchers found that wind turbine icing can have a significant impact on power production, with losses reaching up to 80%. The study, which analyzed data from a Chinese wind farm, showed that icing conditions can disrupt blade aerodynamics and lead to reduced energy output.
Engineers at Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg create turbine blades with integrated drives to optimize flow and reduce stall conditions, leading to increased efficiency and lifespan. This technology aims to combat climate change by harnessing sustainable tidal energy, reducing the need for high-performance materials.
Researchers found that low-level jets can increase power production by up to 30% when positioned below turbines. Turbines placed above or at the same height as LLJs experience reduced efficiency due to blocked airflow. The study highlights the importance of optimizing turbine height for maximum energy capture.
A new study found that common pipistrelle bats are attracted to wind turbines, with activity around 30% higher at turbines than control locations. Ongoing monitoring and measures like idling blade rotation may help reduce fatalities. Soprano pipistrelle bat activity did not show conclusive evidence of attraction.
A new global wind atlas provides documented extreme wind speeds for all parts of the world, enabling engineers to select turbines and accelerate sustainable energy development. The atlas is a digital compendium that helps ensure cost-efficient and dependable electricity generation.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new tool to study wind power and its potential as a source of distributed energy. The custom-built wind turbine emulator mimics actual wind turbines, allowing for real-time simulations of various weather conditions and load demands.
Researchers study large-scale wind turbine design to overcome efficiency and cost challenges. Advanced computational methods reveal the physics of giant rotating machines, enabling better understanding of wind turbine wakes and interactions with the atmosphere.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a novel methodology for early detection of flutter in turbine blades. Before the onset of catastrophic 'flutter,' one blade acts as a central hub, triggering synchronization among adjacent blades. This study contributes to safer and more eco-friendly turbine designs.
Researchers from University of Turku and Helsinki have conducted a review on wind farm impacts on bats in the Baltic Sea region, finding that impacts have barely been investigated due to limited data. The study aims to monitor bats for several years to define high-risk areas and design measures to reduce wind turbine impact.
Researchers from FSU's FAMU-FSU College of Engineering developed a new study to analyze wind resource characteristics across nine locations in Florida. They used advanced tools to capture wind energy at higher elevations, where wind speeds are faster, making it potentially feasible for wind farms in the state.
Researchers at Stony Brook University will develop simulation tools to optimize offshore wind farm layouts and reduce the levelized cost of energy by up to 15 percent using advanced turbine controls and Artificial Intelligence. The project aims to bring down the cost of developing offshore wind energy in the U.S. and support its growth.
Researchers at Stanford University have devised a model that considers the impact of interactions between developers and landowners on the success and cost of wind farms. The model highlights three actions developers could take to increase landowner acceptance and ultimately reduce costs, including community engagement meetings, prelim...
A new study by the University of Córdoba and Trinity College Dublin finds that recovering energy from water distribution networks can save 12.8% of energy annually. This emerging technology uses pumps as turbines to generate electricity, reducing carbon footprint and financial burden on farmers.
A UMass Lowell researcher has received a $1.4 million federal grant to develop a novel solution for detecting damage in wind turbine blades using sound monitoring technology.
A study using supercomputers found that the US can double or quadruple its installed wind turbine capacity without significantly affecting local climate. The researchers used simulations to model the impact of wind turbines on local climates, finding that adding more turbines in a given area would have minimal effects.
Researchers at Cornell University found that quadrupling wind turbine capacity can achieve a 20% share of US electricity from wind power without expanding to new lands. This scenario eliminates approximately 825 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.
New research suggests that fish size, not bypass system route, affects Snake River salmon returns. Larger fish survive at a higher rate in the ocean and as adults in rivers. The study found little evidence of delayed mortality once fish reach estuaries and oceans.
Researchers at Lehigh University's P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science are designing a more efficient tidal turbine using a $250,000 NSF grant. They will test different fairing shapes in a water tunnel facility equipped with an active grid turbulence generator to reduce energy loss and increase renewable energy power.
A new study found a negative effect of three birds lost for every turbine within 400 meters of a bird habitat, but also suggests ways to minimize the impact through wind turbine design and placement. The researchers estimate that about 150,000 birds are affected by wind turbines in the U.S. every year.
Researchers from Aarhus University and Durham University have modelled fluid dynamics of multi-rotor wind turbines, demonstrating a clear advantage for a turbine model with four rotors. This design reduces downstream turbulence, allowing for more efficient energy production.
Advances in wind technology have led to significant growth, with larger turbines now capable of generating up to 5 megawatts. Improved efficiency and cost reductions are expected, but maintaining these turbines will require more economical methods.
Researchers at Imperial College London used supercomputers and graphics processors to simulate turbulent fluid flow and solve a longstanding question about disturbance dissipation. Their results lead to the development of new empirical models for turbulence, improving engineering designs in fields like wind turbines and Formula 1 cars.
Researchers developed a wake steering technique that increases total power production while reducing variability in wind speeds, leading to improved efficiency for near-average wind conditions. The study used field experiments on an array of 6 turbines over 10 days at a wind farm in Alberta, Canada.
A new Stanford study shows that wake-steering can improve the quantity and quality of power from wind farms, increasing overall power output by up to 47% in low wind speeds. Wake steering also reduces the variability of power production, making it easier for grid operators to manage supply and demand.
Researchers from Texas A&M University have developed a biomimetic whistle that uses bat's natural echolocation to deter bats from flying into wind turbine blades. The device, mounted on turbine blades, produces an ultrasonic sound detectable by bats at distances of up to 100 meters.
Researchers found a significant increase in tourism on Block Island after construction of the offshore wind farm, with occupancy rates rising by 19% and monthly revenue increasing by $3490. The study suggests that curiosity about renewable energy drove the interest, but may not persist long-term.
The new sCO2 turbine can achieve a 50% efficiency, outperforming conventional CSP systems. It also boasts a compact size and scalability to 450 MW, making it ideal for fossil plant improvement and waste heat recovery.
A new study challenges the US Department of Energy's plan to expand offshore wind power, citing supply chain issues with rare earth metals like neodymium. The researchers found that creating a domestic program could raise questions about natural resource consumption and recyclability.
Researchers propose using compressed air storage in porous rock formations to meet UK's electricity needs during winter months, providing a viable option for steady and reliable renewable energy supplies. The approach aims to store enough compressed air to cover the UK's typical electricity demand for January and February.
The Sensor Fish technology analyzes physical stressors experienced by fish passing through turbulent waters and turbines at hydroelectric facilities. Licensing to ATS enables dam operators and researchers to gather accurate measurements, improving sustainability.
Researchers have developed a new approach to design more efficient wind farms by incorporating factors such as wind speed, turbine spacing, and land size. The algorithm uses biogeographical-based optimization to minimize computational cost while maximizing efficiency.
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters found that large-scale offshore wind farms can decrease hurricane precipitation onshore locations, while increasing it in offshore areas. The research used Hurricane Harvey as an example, showing a 30% reduction in precipitation inland due to the presence of wind farms.
Researchers at UCSB and Cambridge developed models to optimize wind farm productivity by improving airflow mixing and using vertical-axis turbines, potentially leading to orders-of-magnitude improvements in energy production. This could enable more efficient use of land and reduce costs.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have discovered new smart materials that can work at extremely high temperatures, enabling improved fuel burn efficiency in jet engines. These materials also have the potential to reduce airplane noise over residential areas, offering a promising new application in various industries.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy's annual report, wind energy prices in the United States are at an all-time low due to technology advancements and cost reductions. Bigger turbines with increased rotor diameters have improved wind project capacity factors, while lower turbine pricing has pushed down installed project costs.
Researchers at UT Dallas developed a new control strategy using supercomputers to extract more power from wind turbines. The approach has the potential to increase wind energy production by up to six percent and generate $100 million in value per one percent improvement.
A new impact detection system uses vibration sensors and acoustic sensors to identify bird strikes on wind turbines. The system has shown positive results in detecting collisions, with the potential to improve safety for protected species like bald eagles.
Researchers at University of the Basque Country analyzed wave energy farm performance and found a capacity factor of 0.11, lower than wind and solar facilities. To improve efficiency, they suggest regulating turbine speed in relation to advancing waves.
Researchers have identified the most favorable areas for harnessing high-altitude wind energy in the Middle East, where abundant and reliable winds are available. The study's findings suggest that regions over Saudi Arabia and Oman could be ideal locations for airborne wind-energy systems.
Tidal energy has vast potential to provide clean electricity to US communities, with Banerjee's research focusing on improving turbine performance in turbulent environments. The study aims to enhance understanding of fundamental issues related to scale interactions in turbulent flows.
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) researchers have developed turbines to convert ocean wave energy into clean, renewable electricity. By harnessing the power of Kuroshio ocean currents and waves, they aim to generate 10 gigawatts of energy, equivalent to 10 nuclear power plants.
A new technique can reveal weak areas in ceramic thermal barrier coatings, predicting coating lifetime and improving engine efficiency. The approach uses GHz illumination to analyze the coatings' refractive index changes with applied strain.
Distributed wind power has grown significantly in the US, with the nation's cumulative capacity reaching 1% of total wind power capacity. The 2016 report highlights the success of third-party financing and leasing options, which have made it more accessible for companies and individuals to install wind turbines on their properties.
The US Department of Energy's Wind Technologies Market Report reveals that wind power additions reached a record high in 2016, with 8,203 MW of new capacity. Bigger turbines are enhancing project performance, while low turbine pricing continues to push down installed project costs.
Researchers found that optimally designed vertical axis wind turbines can financially compete with fossil-fuel based power plants in urban and suburban areas. The study suggests the potential to spearhead net-zero energy buildings or cities through efficient energy harvesting.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder found that offshore wind turbines may not withstand Category 5 hurricane gusts, which could pose a risk in hurricane-prone areas. The study highlights the limitations of current turbine design and suggests that manufacturers and engineers need to improve hurricane-resilient turbines.
Researchers found that a visual illusion occurs when daylight hits the object from above, creating shading that alters its shape to the human eye, making it appear out-of-place. Computer-generated images demonstrated this effect, revealing why some people perceive images of objects like wind turbine blades as 'fakes',
A new system aims to protect bald eagles from wind turbine collisions by detecting approaching birds and triggering deterrents. The technology, developed at Oregon State University, uses a camera-mounted system to identify eagles in flight and deploy colorful human-like figures to scare them away.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a lab model of vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) arrangements that can help design and implementation in the future. The study found that closely spaced VAWTs can generate up to 10 times more power per unit of land area than widely spaced HAWTs.
Researchers found that golden eagles killed at a wind farm in California came from up to hundreds of miles away, posing a threat to global populations. The study's findings suggest that environmental assessments should consider bird populations across entire regions, not just local areas.
PyFR combines highly accurate numerical methods with flexible code implementation to solve complex fluid flow problems. The software achieves over 50% of Titan's theoretical peak performance, making it ideal for industries like aerospace and wind power.
New computer modeling suggests that solid-state thermophotovoltaics (TPV) could rival combined-cycle turbine systems when combined with thermal storage using liquid metal. TPV operates on the same principle as solar cells but converts infrared radiation to electricity.
Researchers develop empirical model to estimate risks of volcanic ash on jet engines, finding that sand-based tests are unsuitable due to underestimated damage. The new model takes into account the chemical composition of ash, providing a more realistic assessment of aviation hazards.
The US Department of Energy has awarded PNNL $625,000 to advance three small business projects in hydropower, energy efficiency and bio-based chemicals. The projects aim to reduce costs, increase sustainability and improve production processes for these technologies.