Unlocking the next generation of ultra-large turbines

Technology Overview

Arctura is a world leader in active lift control technologies for wind turbines. These technologies will enable the next generation of ultra-large 15 MW+ wind turbines and will be paramount to achieving additional reduction in the cost of wind energy. New technologies are needed to safely manage aerodynamic loads and power production at these massive sizes. Our technologies reduce these loads when they occur and where they occur – on the blades.

Reducing Fatigue Loads and Regulating Power

Arctura’s on-blade, segmented active lift control technologies mitigate unsteady aerodynamic loading caused by turbulence, wind shear, gusts, and wake effects. This advanced control reduces fatigue loads that otherwise increase both capital and operating expenses. In addition, our systems can be used to help regulate power production to reduce wear on the turbine’s blade pitch systems. Well-validated in computer simulations, Arctura is actively prototyping candidate systems for field testing.

Lift Control with No Moving Parts

Plasma actuators are electrical devices that can modify a wind turbine blade’s lift without any moving parts – a critical advantage over competing systems. Arctura’s best-in-class actuation technology is currently being validated in wind tunnel testing with field tests planned in 2021 at Sandia National Laboratory’s Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) facility. 

Mechanical Lift Control with No Hidden Components

Arctura’s patent-pending Active Gurney Flap is a small flap mounted near the blade’s trailing edge. Key distinguishing features of the Active Gurney Flap include its significant available lift control and the fact that all mechanical components are accessible to a ropes crew for maintenance, repair, and replacement.

Contact us to learn more about our Active Lift Control technologies.