New technologies for wind turbines
by Tim Willmott : Comments Off on New technologies for wind turbines
Dynamic Blade Technologies aims to assist companies that own wind farms by helping them retrofit pre-existing wind turbines with new technology. The company plans to achieve substantial revenues by splitting the profits (from the increase in energy production) on each wind farm.
They offer three technologies:
BLADE DEFLECTOR
Dynamic Blade Technologies has acquired technology from Rutgers University, who invented and tested a patent-pending wind turbine blade deflector that creates a significant increase in torque that other blade designs do not address.
Benefits
- Higher return on investment
- Improve wind farm output by 20%
- Increase profitability by 80%
- Applicable to any wind turbine in any wind farm around the world
Testing
This deflector has the potential to boost turbine energy extraction in light to moderate winds by 20%. For example, if a 3 MW turbine producing 1,000 kW in a particular wind were refitted with the deflectors, it would produce 1,200 kW. The initial 50 tests showed an increased vortex tip circulation of 34.4%. We are seeking development partners to perform larger scale experiments to demonstrate the full potential of this technology. For further information, contact us at 1-800-515-2080.
PLASMA TECH
Dynamic Blade Technologies has licensed technology from University of Florida. This patented and patent-pending plasma actuator increases the effective plasma force by reducing the shear stress on the surface of the blade in the proximity of a plasma actuator.
Benefits
- Reduces aerodynamic eddies and decreases drag, increasing electricity extraction
- Replaces moving mechanical components (such as vortex generators), eliminating weight and lowering the need for maintenance
- Exhibits reduced shear stress compared to available flow control devices, possibly increasing actuator life
- The actuators are fully electronic, with no moving parts, and can withstand high force loadings and have the potential to reduce noise
- They can be laminated into the turbine blade surface (no slots or cavities required)
- Actuators can be operated in both steady and unsteady modes
- Actuators have high bandwidth so they have fast response for feedback control
- Low power consumption (2-4 Watts per foot for unsteady operation)
Testing
The Plasma Tech actuator has been tested for months in laboratory conditions. Tests have indicated that in 12 mph winds, Plasma Tech can increase a turbines electricity output to the grid by 108% by increasing the speed of the blades to 25 mph. In zero or near zero mph winds, Plasma Tech can substantially increase a turbines output to the grid by increasing the speed of the blades to 8 mph. We are seeking development partners to further test this technology. For further information, contact us at 1-800-515-2080.
ENERGY STORAGE & POWER CONVERTER
Dynamic Blade Technologies has acquired technology from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This patent-pending technology provides energy storage for wind turbines via the integration of two capacitor technologies.
Benefits
- Reduces maintenance costs and improves return on investment of assets by lowering stress on the gearbox and mechanical wear during wind gusts and grid disturbances
- Improves power system stability during transient dynamics
- Provides protection for the turbine during grid low voltage conditions
- Additional power conversion stages are avoided for ultracapacitor integration
- Lowers and defers power distribution and transmission costs
Testing
Tests have shown that it provides protection to the turbine during grid low voltage conditions and improved power stability during transient dynamics (i.e., unstable conditions) via power smoothing and power ramp control. It also has the potential to reduce stress on the gearbox.
DBT are seeking development partners to perform larger scale experiments to demonstrate the full potential of this technology. For further information, contact us at 1-800-515-2080.
Dynamic Blade Technologies, Inc.
24385 Wilderness Oak, Suite 8302
Phone: 1-800-515-2080
Email: Corey@windfarmtech.com
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Article by Tim Willmott
Tim is the creator of sustainapedia.com and heads digital publisher Treading Lightly. His interests include nature and wild places, cooking, film, sport and music. He is a poet, writer and commentator.
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