**Foreword:**
At the 13th World Wind Energy Conference held from April 7 to 9, senior experts provided valuable insights that led to further refinements in the design of the device prototype. This article is a revised and updated version of the original statement presented at the conference.
**Expected Economic Benefits:**
The total investment in wind power generation is expected to increase by 3%. The blades can be deformed within the wind farm, increasing wind power output by 20%. The investment payback period will be shortened by one year. After-tax profits from the deformed device are double the cost, making it a highly attractive innovation for the renewable energy sector.
**1. Project Background**
To improve the wind energy utilization coefficient, various new blade designs have emerged in recent years. These include folding blades (with different patent applications from Guodian United Power Co., Ltd. and Tsinghua University), vertical stretching blades (which expand at low and medium wind speeds while contracting at high wind speeds), and transverse telescopic blades (which extend laterally at the center). These innovations aim to optimize performance across a range of wind conditions.
**2. Technical Advancements of the Project**
The patented horizontal-axis wind turbine deformation blade (referred to as the "deformation blade") is designed for large and medium-sized turbines. It consists of a main blade and secondary blades that can move relative to each other, changing the overall surface area. The secondary blades are connected via ropes that pass through fixed pulleys, allowing them to move along the length of the main blade. These secondary vanes are thin plate collars surrounding the main blade’s body section, with deicing snow blades on both sides of the front edge.
Compared to existing folding or telescopic blades, this deformation blade offers six key advantages:
1. At low and medium wind speeds, the increased tip area significantly boosts the average wind energy utilization coefficient.
2. The additional costs and risks are minimal, as the system requires only minor modifications without affecting critical areas.
3. The technology allows rapid on-site deformation of old blades in large and medium-sized wind farms.
4. The safety factor remains nearly the same as the original blade, preserving the advantages of current horizontal-axis wind turbine blades.
5. Snow and ice accumulation on the blade’s front can be effectively removed, reducing wind resistance.
6. Over a year, wind power output may increase by up to 20%, marking a major breakthrough in renewable energy technology. The innovation has passed national reviews and holds a utility model patent in China, with multinational patents pending.
**3. First Prototype Design**
The CAD model, manufacturing process, and installation design of the deformation device prototype (for an 80-meter diameter, 1.5 MW rated wind speed of 13 m/s horizontal-axis wind turbine blade) have been largely completed. The prototype is expected to be finished within three months, followed by testing and on-site power generation trials. The deformation device consists of five main components: 1) a pair of blades; 2) a blade lifting drive system; 3) a blade positioning and limit system; 4) an ice and snow removal system; and 5) an electrical control system.
**3.1 Secondary Blades**
These are thin, plate-like collars that can encircle a section of the main blade. They measure nearly 8 meters in length and expand to a maximum width of 3.15 meters when deployed. Each secondary blade increases the windward area by 10.8 square meters at the tip of the main blade. Made of stainless steel, they are divided into 8 sections and fastened using riveted joints.
**3.2 Blade Lifting Drive System**
This system includes a winch, steel cables, and fixed pulley devices. The winch frame is bolted to the root of the main blade, and the cables are made from a combination of 11 mm and 6 mm steel wires. Pulleys are positioned near the tip of the main blade to minimize aerodynamic impact, and the cables are mounted along the leading edge. The system is designed to operate at wind speeds below 6 m/s or around 8 m/s.
A longitudinal groove is formed along the leading edge of the main blade to accommodate the installation of the deformation device. While this reduces the blade’s strength by about 0.5%, the effect is negligible.
**3.3 Blade Limit and Positioning System**
This system ensures the stability of the secondary blades during movement and positioning. It includes slide rails, limit plates, front and rear positioning plates, left and right positioning rods, and radial lock cards. These components work together to prevent unwanted movement and ensure proper alignment.
**3.4 Deicing and Snow Removal System**
This system includes ice and snow knives located on the leading edge of the secondary blade and the ends of the positioning rod sliders. It also features a slow-moving motor that prevents ice formation in the gaps between the cable and its sleeve, ensuring smooth operation of the secondary blades.
**3.5 Electrical Control System**
The winch motor, lock card motor, and wire rope slow motor are all controlled automatically. Temperature sensors and centrifugal switches regulate their operation based on environmental conditions. A remote control circuit is also included for manual operation from the base of the wind tower.
**3.6 Additional Features**
- Lightning protection is integrated by connecting the winch to the main blade’s lightning conductor.
- Battery systems may share power with the main blade pitch mechanism.
- A total of 200 M6 screws and 16 M16 bolts are used, with adhesive injected into screw holes to minimize structural impact.
- The total weight of the deformation device is approximately 510 kg, which is less than 9% of the main blade’s weight, ensuring no significant reduction in the turbine’s safety margin.
**4. Project Benefits**
**4.1 Manufacturer Benefits**
For a 1.5 MW three-blade deformation device, the manufacturing and on-site installation cost is about 200,000 yuan. With a selling price of 300,000 yuan, the after-tax profit per unit is approximately 90,000 yuan, or 60,000 yuan per megawatt.
**4.2 Power Generation Enterprise Benefits**
The prototype increases the windward area by 11 square meters, contributing to a 28% increase in power output under average wind speeds of 6 m/s. For a 1.5 MW turbine, this results in an annual power increase of 530,000 kWh, or 18.4%. Considering additional benefits like snow removal and component upgrades, the overall increase reaches 20%.
With a 3% investment increase and a 20% power gain, the payback period is about one year. If 0.25 billion kW of wind capacity were converted annually after 2020, the annual benefit could reach 5.28 billion yuan.
**5. Project Implementation**
A cooperation agreement has been signed with Guangxi Guiguan Power Investment Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Datang Power. The project also welcomes support from wind power companies and investors interested in R&D. The goal is to transform large-scale old wind turbines into the world’s first deformation blade prototype. Patent benefits will be shared among partners, and the collaboration model is flexible and open-ended.
under cabinet led lighting,under counter lighting ,canless recessed lighting,cabinet lights
HSONG LIGHTING CO,. LTD , https://www.hsonglighting.com