Blade Dynamics has announced that the design phase of their ‘Very Long Blade Project’ for the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has successfully concluded and that the prototyping phase will now begin.
The company will now start building an 80 metre long prototype and start static and fatigue tests before the end of 2014
Siemens Wind Power has confirmed its continued support to the development of this advanced rotor technology. This ETI commissioned and funded project is the first application of Blade Dynamics’ innovative technology for large offshore blades, with a rotor designed specifically for the Siemens SWT-6.0 turbine.
Andrew Scott, Programme Manager for Offshore Wind at the ETI added;
Subject to successful conclusion of the tests it is clear that the potentials of the split-blade technology of Blade Dynamics would be expected to become even more interesting as we move to even larger turbine platforms. The ETI’s vision is to support the development of next-generation blade technology because improved rotor performance is fundamental to achieving the goal of reducing the cost of offshore wind energy. We greatly appreciate the ongoing commitment of Siemens to this project with Blade Dynamics.
The £15.5m project was launched back in January 2013 and the Blade Dynamics technology will demonstrate blades that are both longer and lighter than those made from conventional glass fibre.
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