Physics, and turbulence research in particular, can make a significant contribution to increasing the efficiency of wind turbines. Joachim Peinke, Detlev Heinemann and Martin Kühn from the Institute of Physics at the University of Oldenburg report on this in a review article in the July issue of "Physik-Journal", the journal of the German Physical Society.

"Even if wind turbines turn rather slowly when viewed from a distance, they are subject to enormous load changes - comparable to those on an aeroplane on a fictitious year-long landing approach in strong winds. This is caused by turbulence, which affects the entire system within seconds and is also noticeable in the power output. This is only insufficiently taken into account in the development of today's turbines, but there is enormous potential for innovation in the future in adapting the turbines better to the turbulent flow situation," say the authors.

The contribution made by the Oldenburg physicists in this field can be found in the full article: Physik-Journal 13.7 (2014) 35 - 41.

[14.07.2014]