Representative image of wind turbine blades. (Image Credits: Pexels)
In 2015, engineers at LM Wind Power tested serrated panels fitted to the blades of three wind turbines and measured how effectively they reduced noise. The turbines had rated capacities of 2–3 megawatts while the rotor diameters ranged from 90 to 122 metres, according to a 2016 paper published in the Journal of Physics: Conference Series. After wind tunnel testing, the three validation campaigns’ field measurements showed noise reductions of about 1.5 decibels or more, and the results were obtained through different serration designs on the three turbines. The researchers generally targeted the final 30% of the blade span, which was the main source of the dominant noise; however, extending the serrated section beyond this region was not considered feasible.
Because of this, it’s important to prioritise noise reduction when it comes to turbine design, wind turbine blades can generate aerodynamic noise as air moves over their surfaces;. Because of this, it’s important to prioritise noise reduction when it comes to turbine design. Serrations were then introduced as a toothed profile along the edge, which altered the airflow around the region causing the noise.
The research examined the panels’ performance based on the geometry, positioning, and construction and addressed the challenge of reducing turbine noise while maintaining the aerodynamic performance and structural reliability necessary for operating wind turbines. Wind turbine blades can generate aerodynamic noise as air moves over their surfaces. The design methodology of LM Wind Power involved determining the length and position of the teeth, their flap angle, the material used, and the method of attachment. Increasing it would only result in additional loads without yielding any improvement in noise reduction. In addition, panel placement also had to account for blade curvature, lift-handling locations, and fatigue safety limits.
