Industrial adaptation of a prototype flap system for wind turbines

Research on trailing edge flaps during the last 5-8 years comprising numerical studies have shown substantial potentials for load alleviation on wind turbine blades as well as on other turbine components (in the order of 20 to 40 % reduced fatigue loads). Fully exploited this will lead to reduced cost of energy from wind turbines. One promising flap technology is the so-called 'Controllable Rubber Trailing Edge Flap' (CRTEF) developed at Risoe from 2005-2009. The functionality is simple as the flap deflection is controlled by pressure differences from e.g. compressed air in a number of voids in the flap made of elastic material. The overall objective of the project is now to develop the CRTEF system from its present stage of proven functionality under laboratory conditions to a new stage, where it constitutes a complete, reliable and robust flap system for a full scale turbine that is ready for a prototype test as the next phase (not part of the present application). The project group consists of three industrial partners and three research groups from DTU and the work comprises design and test of a prototype flap systems and overall design of a complete flap system for a full size MW turbine