WATERVLIET – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers are moving forward with their work on wind turbines. Professors and students opened their lab Friday to the media to let them see how the new technology operates.
The project installs sensors on the blades, which allows them to adjust with the wind; making them more aerodynamic.
"We can virtually change shape of the blades that they behave differently and change vibrations as well as capture more energy," RPI Associate Professor Miki Amitay said.
Researchers have been working on the project for four years and have now reached the demonstration phase.
Their work just received a financial boost this week; winning a $250,000 grant from NYSERDA.
"The goal that we have is making it more cost effective in the short term and the long-term. Both from the side of being able to sell more power from the same size wind turbine but also about reducing the cost with labor and replacing the materials when the blades fail," RPI graduate student Keith Taylor said.
The next phase in their work will be testing the new blades on actual wind turbines, which is expected to happen within the year.
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