A STAR is born

Waste Management & Environment
March, 2007 Page: 14

A new wind turbine blade, designed at the US Sandia National Laboratories, could significantly reduce the cost of wind power. Named 'STAR' for Sweep Twist Adaptive Rotor, its most distinctive characteristic is a gently curved tip specially designed for low wind speed regions. With plenty of sites with average speeds of 5.8 metres/second in the US, it would increase by 20-fold the area that can be economically developed for wind energy.

Sized at 27.1 metres and made of fibreglass and epoxy resin, the curvature of the blade allows it to twist more and respond to turbulent gusts in a way that lowers fatigue loads. "This then allows us to grow the blade length for the same rotor, providing for increased energy capture of 5-10 per cent and yet retaining the same expected fatigue life," said Tom Ashwill.