Field-Assembled Component-Based Rotor Blades

Wetzel Engineering, Inc., proposes research and development to engineer very large wind turbine rotor blades for land-based machines that avoid expensive and logistically challenging transportation requirements. The proposed solution combines two technologies: Sectional component-based assembly of large wind turbine rotor blades ( & gt;65m length) using design approaches adapted from aerospace composites manufacturing, Partial in-field manufacturing and final in-field assembly. This proposal responds to Topic 8a, specifically the request for proposals addressing . . . approaches to the assembly and installation of land-based wind turbines that overcome logistical and cost barriers . . . larger swept areas; and access to areas with higher class wind resource leading to an overall & gt;20% reduction in the cost of energy for land-based turbines. The objectives of the presently proposed applied research project are: Engineer and test the proposed technology for sectional component-based assembly of large wind turbine rotor blades ( & gt;65m length), Engineer and test the proposed technology for in-field manufacturing and assembly of large rotor blade sections, Develop commercially viable technology to aid land-based installations of wind turbines without limit on turbine size: Reduce the cost of energy & gt;20% by adopting this technology.