Swept Wind Turbine Blade Aeroelastic Modeling for Loads and Dynamic Behavior

Authors

Scott M. Larwood, University of California, DavisFollow
Mike Zutek, MDZ Consulting

Document Type

Conference Presentation

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Conference Title

WINDPOWER 2006

Organization

American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Conference Dates

June 4-7, 2006

Date of Presentation

6-4-2006

Abstract

A dynamic modeling effort of a swept-blade wind turbine rotor has been conducted. The swept-blade concept was used for increased energy capture without an increase in the turbine loads. The work is part of a Department of Energy contract for increased wind energy capture at low-wind speed sites. The blade works by twisting to feather under aerodynamic loads at the outboard region. Conceptual design of the blade resulted in a 28 m blade radius for eventual testing on a normally 50 m diameter turbine. The blade was modeled with codes developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Comparisons were made to an unswept rotor of the same diameter and a baseline 50-m rotor. The results demonstrated the twisting and load-reduction behavior of the swept rotor. Little detriment in the power curve was shown with the swept blade, and substantial power increase over the 50 m baseline was obtained in below-rated power.

Comments

Organization website

Recommended Citation

Larwood, S. M., & Zutek, M. (2006). Swept Wind Turbine Blade Aeroelastic Modeling for Loads and Dynamic Behavior. Paper presented at WINDPOWER 2006 in Pittsburgh, PA.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/soecs-facpres/4