Wind in the Blades

Abstract

The main focuses of the RAVE project Development of an Innovative, Yield-Optimised and Cost-Effective Rotor Blade for Offshore Wind Turbines were to achieve better aerodynamics and reduced production costs at Senvion. To this end, the developers used materials that included glass-fibre-reinforced plastic (GRP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foams and dispensed with the usual lighter but also more expensive carbon-fibre-based components. This resulted in the new blade being thicker at the root. A cut-off trailing edge on the blade profile resulted in improved aerodynamics and a higher yield. Structurally significant components were separately prefabricated, thus saving on working hours spent on the main mould. New transport racks make it possible to stack several rotor blades and so reduce the storage area, especially for transport offshore. It is also possible to install a single blade instead of the whole rotor star.