The concept of a smart wind turbine system

A smart wind turbine concept with variable length blades and an innovative hybrid mechanical–electrical power conversion system was analyzed. The variable length blade concept uses the idea of extending the turbine blades when wind speeds fall below rated level, hence increasing the swept area, and thus maintaining a relatively high power output. It is shown for a typical site, that the annual energy output of such a wind turbine that could double its blade length, could be twice that of a corresponding turbine with fixed length blades. From a cost analysis, it is shown that the concept would be feasible if the cost of the rotor could be kept less than 4.3 times the cost of a standard rotor with fixed length blades. Given the variable length blade turbine system exhibits a more-or-less linear maximum power curve, as opposed to a non-linear curve for the standard turbine, an innovative hybrid mechanical–electrical power conversion system was proposed and tested proving the feasibility of the concept.

► A smart wind turbine concept with variable length blades is analyzed.
► Annual energy output of a turbine that could double its blade length.
►  Cost analysis shows the concept would be feasible if cost of the rotor less than 4.3 times the cost of a standard rotor.
► An innovative hybrid mechanical–electrical power conversion system is proposed and tested.