New aerodynamic model revolutionizes wind turbine design and operation
Researchers at MIT have unveiled a groundbreaking aerodynamic theory for rotors that promises to transform the design and operation of wind turbines and wind farms. Published in the journal Nature Communications via an open-access paper by MIT postdoc Jaime Liew, doctoral student Kirby Heck and Michael Howland, the Esther and Harold E. Edgerton assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, this new model offers a more accurate way to determine the forces, flow velocities, and power of a rotor, whether it is extracting energy from the wind or applying energy as a propeller. The traditional momentum theory, developed in the late 19th century, has long been used to predict the performance of rotors. However, it has significant limitations, especially at higher rotation speeds and different blade angles. In 2019, Stanford University conducted studies showing that turbine wakes can result in a 40% loss of efficiency in downstream generators. The new model, developed at MIT, addresses these shortcomings and provides a more precise calculation of the Betz limit, showing that it is possible to extract slightly more power than previously thought. One of the most exciting aspects of this new model is its immediate applicability. Wind farm operators constantly adjust turbine parameters, such