Researchers test flexible tidal-turbine blades that reduce load swings
A Nature study found that flexible trailing edges on tidal-turbine blades matched the energy yield of an active-pitch design while reducing some fluctuating loads.
Researchers reported that tidal-turbine blades with flexible rubber trailing edges generated comparable energy to rigid blades using active pitch control in simulated tidal conditions.
The study found the flexible design reduced high-frequency, fatigue-related load fluctuations by up to one-third. The experiments were conducted with model-scale turbines, and the work describes a potential approach to reducing mechanical complexity.