Posted on 1/24/2011
Source: Design News
Armed with HyperSizer optimization software and FEA, Sandia pursues innovations in large wind turbine blade design, aiming for a balance between low weight and structural integrity.
By many accounts, wind energy, a relative veteran among alternative energy sources, is well-positioned for a perfect storm around growth: The political climate is favorable, a downtrodden economy is hungry for economical and efficient fossil fuel alternatives and more than 30 years of research and development has been poured into wind energy innovations. Yet one of the remaining barriers to widespread adoption of wind energy is honing that right mix of functionality for a wind turbine blade design that is large enough to support higher performance while retaining a form factor that is economical, reliable and can be produced on a grander scale. Read more…