Different companies such as SSP Technologies work on new innovative designs for larger turbine blades to produce more power and reduce energy costs, but also two-bladed designs represent a new direction, because the extra size risks to increase capital expenditure. The article below goes into depth regarding new design concepts for offshore rotor blades and lists several examples. Download the full article for free here: http://bit.ly/Article_designconcepts

1. Design Concepts for Offshore
Turbine Rotor Blades
Report

2. The offshore wind industry continues to grow at pace, with larger turbines being
developed for deep water operation. The European Commission’s Energy Roadmap
2050 estimates that renewables will count for 55-75% of Europe’s energy consumption
and up to 97% of electricity consumption; and that wind energy will be the leading
technology, providing 32-49% of Europe’s electricity demand by 2050.
The European Wind Energy Association has predicted that by 2020 there will be 40GW
of installed capacity in European waters, rising to 150GW by 2030; while the UK
Government has set a cost of energy target of £100/MWh, which it aims to achieve by
2020.
To realize these targets over the coming decades, there is a pressing need to reduce
the cost of wind farm construction, and the cost of energy. As one of the most
expensive components of a turbine, in terms of construction, transportation and
installation, rotor blades are a key area where innovation can help to reduce capital
expenditure. Equally, new designs of larger blades will be crucial in reducing the overall
cost of energy, through greater output production.
Innovations
There are a multitude of innovative new ideas and designs for large turbine blades,
including advances in the materials used to manufacture blades, the production
process, and design to improve efficiency and energy production. Areas that are being
optimized to improve design include:
• Tip speed
• Aerodynamics
• Design standards and processes
• Materials and manufacturing
• Pitch control
• Inflow wind measurement
• Active aero control
• Hub assembly components
Several different companies are also working on two-bladed designs which have the
potential to vastly reduce production cost by using one less blade. One thing that all
these innovations have in common is that the driving force behind them is cost
reduction.
Very large blades – SSP Technology
Danish firm SSP Technology partnered with Samsung Heavy Industries to produce three
prototype blades for SHI’s 7MW prototype wind turbine, which was installed in Fife off
the coast of Scotland last year. The 83.5 metre long blades are the largest in operation