Investigation On Implementation Of Microjets For Active Aerodynamic Load Control On The Nrel 5mw Reference Turbine Utilizing Active And Passive Methods Roger L Davis by Roger L. Davis instant download after payment.

A computational investigation was performed analyzing the potential for reduction in wind turbine fatigue utilizing microjets for active aerodynamic load control. Increasing size of wind turbine rotors requires methods for reduction of critical fatigue and extreme loads. Active Aerodynamic Load Control provides local control of aerodynamic properties utilizing active flow control devices to alter loads along the wind turbine span to reduce total loading. These devices respond quickly allowing for on demand control of aerodynamic loading. Microjets have shown promising aerodynamic characteristics but require pneumatic input to operate which poses as a potentially difficult to overcome obstacle to implementation in wind turbine applications where Cost of Energy (COE) is critical. This thesis explores systems with both passive and active driven pneumatic systems comparing the energy input to the potential for fatigue reduction.