Smart turbines able to 'predict' the wind
The world's first successful test on a wind turbine with a laser based anemometer built into the spinner has been completed by Danish company Risø DTU.
By integrating the anemometer into the spinner, it has been possible to increase electricity generation, while the company says the system can predict wind direction, gusts of wind and turbulence.
According to Risø, the laser system, known as LIDAR, allows wind turbines to 'see' the wind before it hits the blades. It can then predict the wind and optimise its position and adjust the blades so that the wind is used more efficiently and increases the lifespan of the wind turbine.
The wind turbine industry is predicted to grow in the next years due to a global focus on renewable energy and climate change. New high tech research will integrate 'laser providence' and 'smart blades' into the turbines, designed to improve performance, and Risø says that the technology can increase energy production by up to 5%, primarily because it is possible to use longer blades.
Torben Mikkelsen (pictured), professor at Risø, said: "The results show that this system can predict wind direction, gusts of wind and turbulence. So we estimate that future wind turbines can increase energy production while reducing extreme loads by using this laser system, which we call wind LIDAR."
