A new wind turbine design by a researcher in United ArabEmirates University (UAEU) received a patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office, The National reports. The design is based on the swept-back wings of aircrafts which enhance their aerodynamics, researcher Zishan Akhter told the National. The study — which focused on ensuring that the design change does not add to the wind turbines’ energy use — took six months to complete.

Why does this matter? Wind turbine blades with a swept tip design can be more efficient, especially in areas with fluctuating wind speeds, the report adds. This is because the sweep helps to reduce swirling air at the tips and stabilizes the airflow along the blades.

The idea has been around: Researchers developed a control method for wind turbines that actively adjusts blade tip sweep to enhance power production and reduce blade loads, according to a study published in Renewable Energy. Preliminary results of the study revealed that having blade tips that pivot can bring benefits in power generation and load reduction.

Not UAE’s first wind innovation: Dubai-based startup Hydro Wind Energy developed a hybrid hydro-wind energy system to generate clean energy last year. The system integrates two renewable energy sources — offshore altitude wind harnessed using kites or vertical axis wind rotors and subsea oceanic pressure — to generate low-cost clean electrical energy and grid-scale energy storage.

A push for UAE’s wind program: The UAE launched its first wind program with a capacity of 103.5 MW last year in a bid to diversify its energy mix and accelerate energy transition, with plans to build up wind capacity as part of a potential second phase of its wind energy program.

Tags: