Plasma Aerodynamic Control Effectors for Improved Wind Turbine Performance

Mehul P. Patel ; Srikanth Vasudevan ; Robert C. Nelson ; Thomas C. Corke

关键词: ACTUATORS;    AERODYNAMICS;    CAPITALIZED COST;    DESIGN;    DIELECTRIC MATERIALS;    DISTRIBUTION;    ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS;    PERFORMANCE;    PLASMA;    ROTORS;    WATER;    WIND TURBINES Plasma Aerodynamic Control Effectors;    wind turbines;    "smart" rotor blades;    enhance energy capture;    aerodynamic flow-control;    plasma actuator.;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1007921
RP-ID  :  DOE/ER/84781-1
PID  :  OSTI ID: 1007921
Others  :  TRN: US201120%%5

学科分类：再生能源与代替技术

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

Orbital Research Inc is developing an innovative Plasma Aerodynamic Control Effectors (PACE) technology for improved performance of wind turbines. The PACE system is aimed towards the design of "smart" rotor blades to enhance energy capture and reduce aerodynamic loading and noise using flow-control. The PACE system will provide ability to change aerodynamic loads and pitch distribution across the wind turbine blade without any moving surfaces. Additional benefits of the PACE system include reduced blade structure weight and complexity that should translate into a substantially reduced initial cost. During the Phase I program, the ORI-UND Team demonstrated (proof-of-concept) performance improvements on select rotor blade designs using PACE concepts. Control of both 2-D and 3-D flows were demonstrated. An analytical study was conducted to estimate control requirements for the PACE system to maintain control during wind gusts. Finally, independent laboratory experiments were conducted to identify promising dielectric materials for the plasma actuator, and to examine environmental effects (water and dust) on the plasma actuator operation. The proposed PACE system will be capable of capturing additional energy, and reducing aerodynamic loading and noise on wind turbines. Supplementary benefits from the PACE system include reduced blade structure weight and complexity that translates into reduced initial capital costs.