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.
Florian Bauer
CTO and Cofounder
Passionate engineer and researcher developing a new type of wind power plants – kite power plants.
Alessandro Croce
Associate Professor
My research interest is in multibody-aeroelastic modelling and simulation of wind energy and rotorcraft systems.
Lorenzo Fagiano
Professor
My research interest is in airborne wind energy and constrained estimation and control.
Roland Schmehl
Associate Professor
Pursuing all aspects of airborne wind energy research and technology development.