Articles tagged with Turbines
Wind energy pricing has reached new lows in the US, with turbines becoming economically viable in more locations. The report highlights improvements in turbine scaling and manufacturing costs, making wind power a credible source of new electricity generation.
The latest version of the Sensor Fish measures more forces and costs about 80% less than its predecessor. It will help further reduce the environmental impact of hydropower by accurately measuring forces fish feel as they pass through turbines and structures in conventional dams and other hydro power facilities.
The Simulator for Wind Farm Applications (SOWFA) tool simulates complex variables to optimize wind farm energy production. It enables developers to improve individual turbine performance and reduce wake losses, potentially cutting costs by billions of dollars.
A team of researchers has developed a novel capability to simulate extreme turbine engine conditions, allowing scientists to study the microstructure and internal strain in coated test blades during real operating conditions. This breakthrough could lead to improved material lifespan estimates and coatings for energy-efficient turbines.
Scientists have discovered that greater mouse-eared bats use polarization patterns in the sky to navigate, calibrating their internal magnetic compass. The bats' ability to detect polarised light remains a mystery, but researchers hope this breakthrough will aid in protecting declining bat populations.
A study published in Fire Safety Science found that wind turbines experience a significant number of fires annually, with estimates suggesting ten times more fires than reported. The research highlights the need for improved fire protection engineering solutions to address this issue.
A new concept for counter-rotating wind turbines in tandem arrangements has been developed to improve power production performance. Experimental studies have shown that this configuration can increase energy utilization by up to 20%, particularly beneficial for onshore wind farms with smaller spacing between turbines.
Researchers from PNNL explore ways to protect fish from barotrauma, a phenomenon caused by dramatic shifts in water pressure near dams. Modifying turbines to minimize pressure change is a promising solution, improving turbine designs and reducing injuries to fish.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a new method to study wake effects in wind farms, challenging conventional wisdom on the best arrangement of turbines. They found that an 'intermediate' staggering, where rows are imperfectly offset, can improve power output in some cases.
Research by the University of Delaware and Stanford University shows that offshore wind turbines can buffer damage to coastal cities during hurricanes. The study found that large wind farms with tens of thousands of turbines can slow down hurricane winds, reduce wave heights, and decrease storm surge.
Professor Paul Scott has been awarded an EPSRC Fellowship in Manufacturing with a £900,000 funding award. He will investigate ways of ensuring greater geometrical accuracy during manufacturing using computational geometry and develop new algorithms.
A new study from the University of Colorado Denver estimates that wind turbines killed over 600,000 bats in 2012, a significant blow to pollination and insect control. The study found that areas near the Appalachian Mountains had the highest bat fatality rates, with some species experiencing fatalities of up to 40%.
Researchers at the University of Delaware found staggering results in arranging wind turbines to improve performance. Staggering and spacing out turbines can increase efficiency by up to 33 percent, according to a new study published in Geophysical Research Letters.
Researchers developed a new model to measure changes in air flow patterns affecting wind turbines' output power. The study found that energy can be transferred to wind turbines from both above and below the blades, expanding our understanding of wind turbine performance.
A new report reveals that 68% of US wind turbines installed between 2003-2012 were for distributed wind projects, generating 812 megawatts of power. This represents a significant shift towards local energy production, with large turbines being used in more distributed wind projects.
Researchers propose a new strategy to optimize power-generation efficiency in fluctuating wind conditions by predicting maximum turbine generation capacity and incorporating various factors. The approach shows promise in improving power-generation efficiency, but further refinement is needed based on local conditions.
Scientists have underestimated the impact of large numbers of wind turbines on energy production within large farms, suggesting a more limited capacity than previously thought. The new modeling results indicate that wind power production may be as low as 1 watt per square meter at wind farms larger than 100 square kilometers.
Research suggests that large-scale wind farms' generating capacity may peak at between 0.5 and 1 watt per square meter, significantly lower than previous estimates. This limitation could impact the feasibility of scaling wind power to meet a third of global energy needs within the next half-century.
A regional team led by Case Western Reserve University has won $4 million to design a 9-turbine Lake Erie wind farm, with the potential for an additional $46 million in funding. The goal is to demonstrate cost-competitive power production and explore materials and designs to reduce costs.
San Diego State University has received a $3.9 million Department of Energy grant to develop a full-scale testing device for its solar energy theory. The project aims to prove the concept on a scale used to generate electricity, potentially offering a more efficient way to produce solar energy.
Researchers found that bigger turbines harness more wind without increasing mass or fuel needs, leading to cleaner power production. The study solidifies the trend towards larger windmills, expected to approach 10% of global electricity by 2020.
Large-scale high altitude wind power generation is unlikely to substantially affect climate, according to a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory study. The researchers found that wind turbines could extract kinetic energy at a rate of at least 400 terawatts on the surface and over 1800 terawatts in high-altitude winds.
Researchers calculated wind power potential worldwide, accounting for climate impacts and found it exceeds global energy demands. The maximum theoretical potential is over 250 terawatts globally and 80 TW over land and ocean areas.
A new study suggests that wind power has plenty of potential to meet half the world's power demand by 2030, with a capacity to exceed demand by several times. Researchers used a sophisticated climate model to calculate the theoretical maximum wind power potential on Earth.
New research suggests that more than 400 terrawatts of power can be extracted from surface winds and over 1,800 terrawatts from high-altitude winds, meeting or exceeding global energy demand.
Despite looming policy uncertainty, the US wind power market expanded rapidly in 2011, with new installations exceeding 6.8 GW and contributing $14 billion in investment. The study predicts continued strong growth in 2012 but warns of significant layoffs if demand for turbines does not pick up after 2012.
Researchers aim to reduce turbine center of gravity, machine complexity, and maintenance costs. Curved VAWT blades pose manufacturing challenges, while unsteady loading and lack of aerodynamic braking systems remain hurdles for large-scale offshore power generation.
Bigger wind turbines harness more wind with increased efficiency and reduced material needs. Scientists conclude that larger turbines make greener electricity, a trend expected to grow in the coming years.
Case Western Reserve University has erected its third and largest wind turbine, a 1-megawatt utility-scale power generator, to provide working laboratories for researchers. The turbines are being used to develop better products and improve efficiency, with the ultimate goal of establishing a wind-energy supply chain in Northeast Ohio.
University of Cincinnati researchers have developed predictive software to analyze two years' worth of operating data from a commercial wind turbine, identifying key components with high failure rates and average downtime. The study aims to establish real-world performance metrics for turbines, enabling optimal scheduling of maintenanc...
Researchers found that power generated at a set wind speed is higher under stable conditions and lower under strongly unsteady conditions. Wind shear plays an important role in assessing turbine efficiency. The team's study provides valuable insights for better estimating power generation, especially when including atmospheric stabilit...
Researchers are using mini wind turbines and advanced flow measurements to understand the impact of hilly terrain on wind turbine performance. Preliminary results show that turbines on hilly terrain experience higher wind loads and recover power potential more rapidly than those on flat ground.
Researchers at Iowa State University's Wind Energy Manufacturing Lab are working to develop new manufacturing methods that can improve the productivity of turbine blade factories by up to 35%. The lab uses advanced technologies like lasers and nondestructive evaluation to analyze and improve wind blade edges, fabric manipulation techni...
The ConocoPhillips Energy Prize has been awarded to Altaeros Energies for their innovative airborne tethered wind turbine technology, which can supply 100 kilowatts of electricity without using fossil fuels. This technology has the potential to revolutionize remote energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology have discovered that optimizing wind turbine placement on a given plot of land can increase power output by an order of magnitude. By positioning turbines in close proximity and using vertical-axis wind turbines, the team found that energy loss due to aerodynamic interference between ne...
Researchers at Caltech propose a new wind farm design that places turbines close together, reducing inefficiencies and environmental impacts. The approach uses vertical-axis wind turbines, which provide benefits in turbulent winds, simple designs, and lower profiles.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new process relating to the way drops of water spread after striking a surface, which could help engineers design more durable condensing surfaces. The effect explains why blades used in power-plant turbines tend to degrade rapidly and need frequent replacement.
Researchers developed a new formula to determine optimal turbine spacing for large wind farms, suggesting turbines should be spaced 15 rotor diameters apart for more cost-efficient power generation. This improvement could address underperforming projects in the US, Europe, and China.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a system to measure winds high up into the air, providing more accurate wind predictions and improving wind power forecasts. This study has the potential to improve how sites are chosen for wind farms and how those farms are operated.
Researchers at Syracuse University's L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science have developed a new air-flow technology to increase the efficiency of large wind turbines. The approach uses intelligent systems to control airflow and reduce noise and vibration. Initial results show that flow control can enlarge the operation...
Researchers found that wind turbines increase airflow over nearby crops, keeping them cooler during hot days and warmer at night. This could lead to improved crop yields, reduced moisture levels and increased carbon dioxide absorption.
University of Washington researchers are monitoring environmental impacts of large-scale tidal turbines in Puget Sound. The study aims to inform future tidal energy projects and minimize harm to marine life.
Researchers at the University of Washington used numerical models to study how tidal turbine blades affect sediment accumulation and fish health. The study found that rapid pressure changes could disorient fish, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Researchers at US Naval Academy have designed novel blade modifications inspired by humpback whale flippers to improve turbine performance in converting low-velocity tidal flow energy into electricity. The modified blades proved effective in extracting energy at low speeds without degrading performance at high flow speeds.
Charles Meneveau and Johan Meyers develop a model to calculate optimal turbine spacing for large wind farms. They find that energy production depends less on horizontal winds and more on entraining strong winds from higher in the atmosphere, leading to an optimal distance of about 15 rotor diameters.
Researchers are presenting innovative air-flow technology to increase wind turbine efficiency, reducing costs and environmental impact. Tiny grooves on turbine blades also show promise in drag reduction.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment found that raising wind turbine cut-in speeds to 11 mph reduces bat fatalities by 44-93% and annual power loss by less than 1%. This change limits turbines to operating only during higher wind speeds, minimizing bat collisions.
Researchers demonstrate the feasibility of floating wind turbines, supporting a 5-megawatt turbine in deep waters. The WindFloat platform, developed by Principle Power, is stable enough to harness high-speed winds at depths over 50 meters.
Researchers at Caltech have found a way to improve the efficiency of wind farms by using vertical-axis turbines in strategic arrays. By studying the vortices left behind by schools of fish, they discovered that alternating turbine rotations and staggering their placement can increase energy extraction up to 10 times.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are studying the feasibility of placing large wind turbines on deep-ocean platforms. The project aims to assess the potential for offshore wind power generation in the United States, which could fill a significant portion of coastal states' electricity needs.
A new technology could increase wind turbine efficiency by up to 30-40% at lower wind speeds, opening up new geographic areas for wind power. The circulation control aerodynamic technique will be applied to wind turbine blades, allowing for simpler designs and increased power production.
Researchers found that slowing turbine blades in low-wind periods significantly reduces bat mortality, as bats are more likely to fly when winds are relatively low. The study demonstrates a successful way to mitigate bat deaths without significantly reducing energy generated from wind farms.
A new study reveals that the US is home to the fastest-growing wind power market worldwide, with a 60% increase in capacity additions in 2008. The report highlights the growth of wind projects across various states, including Texas, which leads the nation with over 7,000 MW of new wind capacity.
Engineers at Purdue University and Sandia National Laboratories have developed a technique to monitor forces exerted on wind turbine blades, enabling real-time adjustments for optimal efficiency. The system aims to reduce catastrophic damage from high winds and improve overall wind turbine reliability.
Montana State University will incorporate more wind-related topics into existing engineering courses, educating students about wind energy and preparing them for jobs in the industry. The university aims to support Montana's growing wind industry and provide valuable technical experience.
Researchers at Ohio State University are developing a technology to coat turbine blades with zirconium dioxide, also known as synthetic diamond, to combat high-temperature corrosion. The coating converts corrosive particles into a protective outer layer, renewing itself constantly.
A Stanford University study examines California's coast for offshore wind energy potential, estimating that a Northern California site could supply 5% of the state's electricity. However, high water depths and varying wind speeds make it challenging to harness wind power off the coast.
The Kansas Wind for Schools program has selected several rural schools to receive Skystream 3.7 wind turbines as part of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's initiative. The small turbines will become part of the curriculum at these schools, teaching students about wind energy and its applications.
The MIT researcher's design allows for the installation of huge offshore wind turbines in deeper waters, reducing public opposition and increasing electricity production. The floating platforms can be assembled onshore, towed out to sea, and adjusted to stabilize the turbines, resulting in cost savings and improved efficiency.
A new study maps global wind speeds to identify regions suitable for wind farms, finding consistent winds in the Great Lakes region and along coastal areas. The research suggests that harnessing a fraction of this energy could meet the world's electricity demands, but practical barriers remain.