Why is there only one set of blades per wind turbine?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the structural design of wind turbines, specifically addressing the efficiency and stability of turbine blades and the potential for alternative configurations, such as multiple towers. Participants explore the implications of wind dynamics on turbine performance and structural integrity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that tying multiple towers together could allow for larger blades and higher speeds by distributing the overturning forces and dynamic loads across a frame, potentially reducing structural costs.
  • Another participant notes that the load on a wind turbine is inconsistent due to wind gusts and turbulence, mentioning a project that dynamically adjusts blade pitch to alleviate stress on the gearbox.
  • A different participant argues against the feasibility of connecting towers at the top, citing the need for rotation based on wind direction.
  • One participant briefly mentions the current largest installed turbine in the UK and a developing turbine that exceeds 900 feet in height, indicating ongoing advancements in turbine design.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the structural design of wind turbines, with some proposing alternative configurations while others raise practical concerns about implementation. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal design approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the variability of wind loads and the implications for turbine design, but do not resolve the technical challenges associated with multiple tower configurations or the effects of dynamic adjustments.

Infinitybyzero
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I'm a civil/structural engineer and I was just recently thinking about one of the biggest issues for maximizing the efficiency of a wind turbine - the structure itself. The mega turbines that engineers want already have foundations of titanic proportions because as we all know, flag pole structures require a hell of a lot to keep them upright and stable. So my immediate thought in response to this is: can you allow for higher blade speeds and larger blades if you perhaps tied 4 towers together? I'm wondering if there would be a cost savings on the overall structure if you could take advantage of spreading out the overturning force from the wind and the dynamic load from the turbine on the turbine structure over a frame rather than just a cantilevered column.
 
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I only discovered this the other day, but the load on a wind turbine is far from consistent. Wind contains gusts, eddies and probably other turbulences with a wide range of frequencies. The guy I was talking to was describing a project to dynamically adjust the pitch of the blades to reduce stress on the gearbox that was happening from one side of a rotation to the other.

Bearing that in mind, I think a flag pole structure might provide flex to help even out the force on the turbine and generator components.
 
It would be impossible to tie the towers together at the top because they have to rotate depending on the wind direction.
 
I think the UK currently has the largest installed turbine at 640 feet with each blade 262ft long. However I read something about a turbine in development that's over 900ft tall.
 

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