Aerodynamic Flow Deflector to Increase Large Scale Wind Turbine Power Generation by 10 %


Download Final Report

CAIT project no.: CAIT-UTC-058

Fiscal Year: 2014/2015

Status: Final

Rutgers-CAIT Author(s): Arturo Villegas, Ph.D., Patrick Szary, Ph.D.

External Author(s): Francisco Diez-Garias, Ph.D.

Sponsor(s): FHWA - RITA, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Summary:

The goal of the proposed aerodynamic deflectors is the generation of an additional 10% power when installed in any new and current turbine compared to the same turbine without the deflectors. In turn, the price of this energy could be critically reduced. Just one single 1MW turbine comprising the deflectors could provide enough energy to power 30 additional houses per year. A worldwide implementation of this technology would exceed the billion dollar profit for turbine companies and wind farms. For instance, a single 1MW turbine without deflectors is expected to generate $90,000 yearly. The same turbine with installed deflectors would generate $126,000 yearly, this is 40% extra profit. This would allow wind farms to be more profitable and reduce the price of this energy.

Our initial experimental results showed 8-12% power increase for turbines tested in a water channel for different channel speeds. This initial proof-of-concept supports our preliminary theoretical results and establishes a strong case for which we are certain that the proposed project will be successful. The final goal of the proposed project is to show a 10% power increase for a large wind turbine in a wind tunnel facility. Successful performance of these experiments would lead to a commercially relevant and attractive product for wind and tidal energy companies and wind farms worldwide.