Advancements in Wind Turbine Technology: What You Should Know

Wind turbines image. Photo by [JACLOU-DL]( https://pixabay.com/photos/wind-turbine-energy-device-power-4178777/) on Pixabay

The world is spearheaded towards sustainable renewable energy; wind power is a leading contender in this sector. With technological advancements, wind turbines are being used to harness efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective power.

In 2023, the wind industry installed 117 GW of wind energy, a 50% increase from 2022 installations. Countries around the world are investing in both offshore and onshore wind capacities. The wind turbine developments are exciting as they propel us towards a sustainable future.

3 Major Advancements in Wind Turbine Technology

Powerful and Larger Turbines

For the last two decades, wind turbines have been growing in blade lengths and height to generate more energy. The towers are growing taller to harness more energy since wind increases with altitude. At higher levels, wind flows more freely and with less friction from the earth’s obstacles, such as vegetation, trees, and buildings.

In 2010, turbines used to have 115m of rotor diameter. In 2022, the average wind turbine could measure more than 130m, a length longer than a football pit. Larger diameters make wind turbines sweep more area, harness more wind, and produce efficient electricity. Longer blades capture more wind than shorter ones.

Besides, wind turbines have increased their optimal power rating. The average rating of wind turbines in 2022 was about 3.2 MW. Higher capacity wind turbines mean fewer turbines are needed to harness energy, leading to lower costs.

Although turbine rotor diameters and heights are increasing, challenges exist. Transporting and installing them is not easy. This limits the trucks’ turning radius and the routes they can take.

Floating Wind Turbines

Strong offshore winds have great potential to produce clean and efficient energy. Developing floating offshore wind turbines becomes necessary in places where drought is imminent. A floating wind turbine is designed to work like other turbines. However, its tower is embedded with mooring lines, such as ropes or chains, to connect anchors to the seabed. These lines hold the turbines firmly against the wind.

Floating turbines are anchored on three types of platforms:

 

• • Tension leg platforms are small platforms with taut lines running straight to the seabed below. They’re light but prone to tsunamis and earthquakes since they rely on mooring lines for stability.

• • Spar buoy platforms: The long hollow cylinders extend downwards from the tower. They float vertically, weighted with ballast to lower their center of gravity. Spar buoys have been applied to gas and oil industries for years.

• • Semisubmersible platforms: The platforms come with massive floating hulls running from the tower.

While floating turbines are becoming common for commercial technology, technical challenges remain. The motion on the platforms causes high forces on the blades, leading to unsteady aerodynamics. The cost of anchors, electrical cabling, and mooring lines becomes exorbitant as the water depths increase.

Recycling Initiatives and Sustainable Materials

The world is geared towards a cleaner, greener, and safer environment, and recycling turbines is one of the initiatives. Most of the blade components are recyclable. Wind turbine blades are inert to ensure they don’t generate toxic emissions.

However, there is a Europe-wide ban on blade landfills from 2025 onwards. This means the wind industry is 100% committed to recovering or recycling blades. Blades can be recycled in three ways:

 

• • Mechanical: The blades are shredded for reuse. They’re often used as fillers, primarily in building materials.

• • Thermal: Blades get incinerated to produce energy and decompose composites. Thermal recycling preserves some of the material characteristics to preserve them for future use.

• • Chemical: In this process, techniques like solvolysis separate fibers from resins.

Looking Forward

Advancements in wind turbine technology have transformed wind energy into a viable and competitive renewable power source. From larger and more powerful turbines and recycling initiatives to floating wind farms, wind power is propelling us towards a more sustainable planet. Understanding these advancements is essential for anyone interested in the future of sustainable energy, as they highlight the potential of wind power to contribute significantly to a greener, more sustainable world. As we look ahead, it’s clear that wind energy will be a cornerstone of global efforts to build a cleaner and more resilient energy system.