ACTIVE AERODYNAMIC BLADE CONTROL DESIGN FOR LOAD REDUCTION ON LARGE WIND TURBINES

Abstract

Through numerical simulations that use trailing edge flaps as active aerodynamic load control devices on wind turbines that range from 0.6MW-5MW rated power, a 20-32 % reduction in blade root flap bending moments was achieved. This allows the turbine blade lengths to be increased, without exceeding origi-nal fatigue damage on the system, resulting in larger swept ro-tor area. This study developed and simulated several indepen-dent flap control designs (including tip deflection and tip rate de-flection feedback) that seamlessly integrated with existing pitch control strategies to reduce loads sufficiently to allow 10 % ro-tor extension and increased energy capture (see reference [1] for methodology). 1