Design and Manufacture of Radar Absorbing Wind Turbine Blades: Final Report

Abstract:

<p>This report describes the results of the DTI-supported project Design & Manufacture of Radar Absorbent Wind Turbine Blades; a collaborative project between QinetiQ Ltd. and NOI (Scotland) Ltd. The aims of the project were threefold: <bl> <li>To understand, through predictive modelling, the contribution made by the blade of the radar cross section (RCS) of a complete turbine</li> <li>To gain confidence that the turbine RCS can feasibly be reduced to appropriate levels by the use of radar absorbent material (RAM)</li> <li>To demonstrate that RAM variants of the blade materials can be manufactured, by the introduction of stealth technology within the current composite sections, with minimal structural impact</li> </bl></p> <p>In summary, the study has shown that it is possible to modify all materials regions of the NOI 34m blade to create RAM, and this can be done with little or no degradation in structural properties. The predicted benefits in terms of reduced detection by non-Doppler radar and ATC radars are seen to be extremely encouraging.</p> <p>However, predictive models can never fully represent reality, and there are factors that are difficult to accurately model, such as blade twist and bend. In light of this, it is recommended that a full practical demonstration of a stealthy turbine should be performed. All stakeholders (developers, manufacturers and planning objectors) will then be able to quantify the benefits of RCS reduction through the use of RAM.

Author(s):

Appleton, S.G.