Future emerging technologies in the wind power sector : a European perspective

Watson, Simon and Moro, Alberto and Reis, Vera and Baniotopoulos, Charalampos and Barth, Stephan and Bartoli, Gianni and Bauer, Florian and Boelman, Elisa and Bosse, Dennis and Cherubini, Antonello and Croce, Alessandro and Fagiano, Lorenzo and Fontana, Marco and Gambier, Adrian and Gkoumas, Konstantinos and Golightly, Christopher and Latour, Mikel Iribas and Jamieson, Peter and Kaldellis, John and Macdonald, Andrew and Murphy, Jimmy and Muskulus, Michael and Petrini, Francesco and Pigolotti, Luca and Rasmussen, Flemming and Schild, Philippe and Schmehl, Roland and Stavridou, Nafsika and Tande, John and Taylor, Nigel and Telsnig, Thomas and Wiser, Ryan (2019) Future emerging technologies in the wind power sector : a European perspective. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 113. 109270. ISSN 1879-0690 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.109270)

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Abstract

This paper represents an expert view from Europe of future emerging technologies within the wind energy sector considering their potential, challenges, applications and technology readiness and how they might evolve in the coming years. These technologies were identified as originating primarily from the academic sector, some start-up companies and a few larger industrial entities. The following areas were considered: airborne wind energy, offshore floating concepts, smart rotors, wind-induced energy harvesting devices, blade tip-mounted rotors, unconventional power transmission systems, multi-rotor turbines, alternative support structures, modular high voltage direct current generators, innovative blade manufacturing techniques, diffuser-augmented turbines and small turbine technologies. The future role of advanced multiscale modelling and data availability is also considered. This expert review has highlighted that more research will be required to realise many of these emerging technologies. However, there is a need to identify synergies between fundamental and industrial research by correctly targeting public and private funding in these emerging technology areas as industrial development may outpace more fundamental research faster than anticipated.

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