As an increasing amount of evidence suggests, the world could be powered entirely by renewables a soon as 2050. But to make sure that happens, we need to continue to develop new, innovative designs that will streamline the transition to clean energy.
That’s exactly what a team of scientists in Denmark is trying to achieve by developing a new wind turbine blade concept that has the potential to significantly cut the yearly costs of wind energy while paving the way for a smoother shift towards renewables.
Developed by scientists at the Technical University of Denmark, the innovative blade design, called SmartTip, could divert millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere each year.
A three-year-long study, which concluded in 2020, found that by increasing an existing rotor size, a wind turbine could produce significantly more energy per year, while also decreasing the load exerted on the machinery, thus extending the lifespan of wind energy infrastructure.
As part of the project, the researchers tested a new design for blade tips which showed a load-neutral annual energy production increase of 4 to 6 percent. According to the team, the findings open the door to revolutionize the wind energy sector and further increase efficiency for a more dependable and efficient renewable energy source.
