Light improves wind turbine power generation

Researchers at the Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy at the Technical University of Denmark, have demonstrated for the first time the use of a wind turbine equipped with a laser for improved performance^†.

Wind turbine ^‡

They used a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) instrument installed in the nacelle, or "nose cone", of a wind turbine. It works by emitting light pulses from a laser and measuring the change in frequency of the backscattered light caused by the movement of air particles. This is known as the Doppler Effect, a phenomenon which is also responsible for the change in pitch of an ambulance siren as it moves either toward or away from an observer.

A passive turbine is at the mercy of the winds and must contend with frequent changes in its direction and the effects of turbulence. This instrument gives it the capability to dynamically predict the behaviour of the incoming wind and make adjustments accordingly, either by turning the blades to face into the the wind or by altering the angle of the blades, thereby improving its power generation efficiency. By using the turbine more effectively, the blades can also be made far longer and the operational lifetime of the structure can be prolonged, both of which provide additional economic benefits.