Materials and Manufacturing | Wind Turbines

Thermoplastic Wind Turbine Blades and Recyclable-by-Design Materials

Robynne Murray, Research Engineer at National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Wind Turbine Gearbox : Cooling

Heat is generated during the operation of the gearbox due to friction between the solid surfaces of the moving parts. Most of the heat is generated by the friction between the gear teeth, and between the rollers and rings of the bearings. Depending on the type of the engaging gears, the input torque and speed,…

Wind Turbines | History

A Brief History of Some Famous Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

ByWindmills Tech Editor

You will be surprised to know that the first known wind turbines recorded in history were Vertical axis wind turbines, not the current dominant technology of horizontal axis wind turbines. This dates back to the 7th century B.C when vertical axis windmills were built on the Persian land. They were based on the aerodynamic drag…

Materials and Manufacturing | Wind Turbines

Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Polymers

ByWindmills Tech Editor

Polymers can be classified, in terms of fusibility, into thermoplastics or thermosets (thermosets). Thermoplastic polymers melt on heating and solidify on cooling, in a reversible process. They can also be dissolved in suitable solvents. Examples: PET (from beverage bottles), PS (from disposable cups), LDPE (from plastic bags), PVC (from sewage pipes). Thermosetting polymers, by heating…

Wind Turbine Noise | Wind Turbines

Noise Issues Offshore

ByWindmills Tech Editor

Noise issues for offshore windfarms – basic acoustics: what needs to be measured and why Underwater bioacoustic research Low frequency ground roll waves created during piling Dick Hazelwood, R&V Hazelwood Associates LLP, UK Offshore construction noise and the modelling of pile behaviour and noise reduction techniques

Wind Turbine Blades | Wind Turbines