A team of researchers at the University of Alberta in Canada have discovered a way to enhance the efficiency of wind turbines by taking inspiration from nature. By mimicking the characteristics of the Andean condor’s wings, they have developed a wing extension that can be added to wind turbine blades. This wing extension, reminiscent of the wing of the Andean condor, can increase wind turbine production by up to ten percent.
The Andean condor, known as the world’s largest flightless bird, has a wingspan of more than three meters and weighs between 11-15 kilograms. One unique ability of the Andean condor is its capability to fly long distances without flapping its wings.
Over the years, the aerodynamics of wind turbine blades have evolved to increase efficiency. The engineers at the University of Alberta aimed to further reduce air resistance by drawing from the characteristics of the Andean condor’s wings. The wing extension, known as the wing cantilever, is attached to the tip of the wind turbine blade, a design feature commonly seen in airplanes to prevent wing wake vortices.
Through simulations, the research team discovered that
