Vestas Receives Research Grant

Vestas (VWS.DE), a world leader in wind technology has received a grant to develop a new turbine blade able to work more efficiently and with less stress in turbulent wind conditions.

The DKK 15 million grant from the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation will fund research inspired by the natural design of birds wings.

 

Many birds have a unique capability to stay still in the sky even under the influence of turbulent wind. The birds control the turbulence by constantly adapting their wings. Together, Vestas and DTU-Risø (Risø National Laboratory · Technical University of Denmark – DTU) will attempt to show that the idea is applicable for very large wind turbines.  

 

“We know it works in theory. That has been proved by experiments with small elements in a wind tunnel. We also know that it works in nature. The challenge is to construct adjustable flaps for the turbine blades in order to reduce loads on blades and turbine structure, and thus design much more cost efficient turbines,” says Manager of Vestas’ Risø office, Carsten H. 

Westergaard. 

 

Vestas says it expects the project to result in a successful implementation of new technology in MW turbines making the concept the most competitive in the world market.