More Energy Recovery Potential in Wind Turbines Modeled After Condor Wings

A design change inspired by the wings of the Andean condor could increase the energy produced by wind turbines.

Different types of birds have upturned tips at the ends of their wings, which help maximize lift. Similar features, known as winglets, are commonly used on aircraft wings, but have not been tested on the giant turbine blades used to generate electricity.

Kashayar Ranamai Vahanbali Researchers at the University of Alberta in Canada say collecting experimental data on wind turbines with winglets is extremely difficult due to their size.

His team designed a winglet based on the Andean condor, the heaviest flying bird in the world. The Andean condor can travel vast distances, despite weighing up to 15 kg.

Computer simulations of airflow through the turbine showed that these winglets reduced drag and increased efficiency by an average of 10%.

“Another perspective is that the winglets allow the turbine to capture more wind energy with minimal losses. [resistance]” says Ranamayvahanbury.

Winglets can be retrofitted after a turbine is manufactured, he said, by slipping “sock-like” pieces onto the ends of the blades. Researchers are developing an experimental setup to test models of wind turbine winglets.

Peter Majewski, who recently retired from the University of South Australia, said the research results made sense from an engineering and aerodynamics perspective, but retrofitting existing wind turbines would be prohibitive in terms of downtime and cost. He said it might be realistic.

But for new turbine blades, adding winglets during the manufacturing process can lead to significant performance improvements, he says.