• Energy Research
• OA Publications Mandate: No close
• 2012 close
• 2012 close

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Our project will result in a proof of conept for an innovative new small wind turbine wth a unique generator and braking system. By applying our innovative technology, we will be able to significantly improve reliability and extend servicing intervals, reduce noise considerably and optimise the turbine for use in regions of lower average wind speeds and higher levels of turbulence. Small wind turbines are now proven to provide a cost effective means of generating renewable electricity, even though it is also recognised that the small wind turbine industry is still at an early stage of development, particularly from a technology perspective. Our project scope is to to prove the key concepts of the new turbine. We will build and bench test a demonstrator generator, design and build a proof of concept prototype wind turbine, undertake testing on the demonstrator and compare performance of the rotor and the generator to the design targets. If we can prove the concept and go on to develop a product, the following benefits will be achieved: - Very low noise, meaning that it can be located closer to dwellings and therefore available to larger market size. - Reduced maintenance costs - Improved energy yield on lower wind speed sites. We believe we can create a turbine which embodies a technological step change over all existing products. It is anticipated that these technological improvements will open up the market considerably, making wind power a viable option for areas where the planning and economic factors currently prevent the adoption of wind energy.

Small Wind turbines are an increasingly important element in the drive towards helping the UK become energy independent and achieving the target of 15% energy production from renewables by 2020. Annual maintenance or service checks are a major part of the overall cost of ownership of a turbine and can deter adoption or increase the time taken to pay back on investment. This project will explore an innovative way of using low cost, low power sensors to monitor turbine performance and condition to predict when a service may be due or to fault find on failure. New technology means that it may be possible to embed many sensors in each turbine, using energy harvesting to power both the sensors and a low energy wireless connection. By utilising wireless connection to the internet, the turbine can be monitored remotely.

This project will develop the economic case for the adoption of lightweight materials by the wind turbine industry. It will establish the financial benefits and thereby facilitate investment in the development of lightweight turbine systems and structures. The catalyst for the introduction of light weight components is aluminium matrix composite (AMC) material. Comprising aluminium reinforced with continuous alumina fibres, AMC has strength and stiffness properties that exceed those of ferrous metals, at around half the weight. The use of AMC reinforcements, or inserts, within an aluminium casting (termed AAMC) produces enhanced stiffness versus a cast iron part, with no increase in package size. The UK, and CMT in particular, is a world leader in this technology. The technical feasibility of using these advanced materials for weight reduction was established in a Northern Way funded project undertaken in 2010/11. The ‘Lightweight Turbine Gearbox Feasibility Study’ demonstrated weight savings of over 25% in gearbox cast components by replacing cast iron with AAMC. The material is suitable for application to many other turbine systems, in addition to the gearbox. An AAMC component will be more expensive than its cast iron or steel equivalent. However, by decreasing the weight of nacelle components, the costs of towers, installation and transportation will reduce, lowering the capital and operational costs of wind farms, particularly those offshore. Operational savings will be achieved via improved durability and reliability. Generation of the economic case for weight reduction must include all of these factors, analysed to identify the cumulative cost savings for the wind farm operator and the returns on investment for the system supplier and turbine manufacturer. The project will identify the system that will benefit most from the use of AAMC, in terms of weight reduction and functional improvement, so as to provide a target for future product development.