Assessment of Research Needs for Wind Turbine Rotor Materials Technology

Wind-driven power systems represent a renewable energy technology. Arrays of interconnected wind turbines can convert power carried by the wind into electricity. This book defines a research and development agenda for the U.S. Department of Energy's wind energy program in hopes of improving the performance of this emerging technology.

Table of Contents

• FRONT MATTER
• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• 1 INTRODUCTION
• 2 STRUCTURAL LOADING CHARACTERISTICS
• 3 MATERIALS PROPERTIES AND LIFE PREDICTION
• 4 WIND TURBINE ROTOR DESIGN ISSUES
• 5 MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FOR ROTOR BLADES
• 6 ACTIVE CONTROL IN WIND TURBINES
• 7 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• APPENDIX A: STATEMENT OF TASK
• APPENDIX B: COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES