The use of wind energy can compensate for natural fluctuations in solar power production during the course of the day and year. In rural areas and offshore, classic wind turbines with a horizontal axis of rotation are established and represent the state of the art for energy conversion in the megawatt range. In contrast, wind turbines with a vertical axis of rotation are predestined for use in urban areas with limited space, higher population density and the associated requirements in terms of appearance and noise generation. These are small, robust and visually unobtrusive and supply electrical energy even in unsteady wind conditions.
LausitzWind - vertical wind turbines rethought
Disadvantages of vertically operated turbines include, for example, the lack of self-start capability or the strongly fluctuating torque on the rotor axis. The LausitzWind project is therefore researching a new, intelligent system for effective adjustment of the rotor blades. Thanks to machine learning, the control system will also automatically ensure efficient alignment of the rotor blades. A general disadvantage of wind turbines is the noise they generate. Each turbine generates what is known as aerodynamic noise, which is comparable to the noise generated by an open car windshield. One component of the overall project is to design the rotor blades in such a way that the noise level is significantly reduced in contrast to comparable turbines.
Problems with the ecological footprint of green energy
It is clear that the use of renewable energy sources is leading us into an era of environmentally friendly electricity and heat generation. On the other hand, the production of the systems required for this is still a problem from an ecological point of view.
LausitzWind is addressing this issue by researching the use of natural fiber composites for the manufacture of rotor blades. The aim is to replace the use of GRP and CFRP materials with environmentally friendly materials. This not only reduces the ecological footprint during production, but the possibility of recycling the system after its service life also plays a major role in this project. For this part of the project, the partners are also working together with the LaNDER3 project (link: lander.hszg.de) of the HSZG. LausitzWind thus draws on a wealth of experience in the processing of natural fiber composites that has been built up over the years.
Objectives of LausitzWind
The aim of the LausitzWind project is to develop the plant in accordance with the above-mentioned requirements and thus to establish new processes and technologies for the local industry. During the development work, for example, experience will be gained in the field of lightweight construction with natural fiber-reinforced materials and additive manufacturing. At the end of the project, Härtwig Maschinebau GmbH & Co. KG will produce a functioning demonstrator on a real scale. The project thus creates the basis for the production and use of these systems in Lusatia.
"Lusatia - Life and Technology" (L&T) - a strong alliance for structural change
The work of the L&T alliance is geared towards making Lusatia fit for the future and contributing to innovative and sustainable regional development with new research and development approaches. In 2019, the consortium partners Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, the district of Görlitz, ULT AG and the Fraunhofer IWU joined forces to develop a joint strategy to positively shape structural change in Lusatia with a total budget of around EUR 9 million. Since then, the alliance's network has grown to over 75 partners. To date, 13 projects have already been successfully launched. With its objectives, the LausitzWind project serves two of the three L&T innovation fields. It combines the topics of "additive manufacturing" and "networked energy (storage) systems" in an exemplary manner.
