UTRC 8-kW Wind-Turbine Tests

Abstract

The United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) 8-kW prototype wind turbine became operational in July 1979 and underwent testing in East Hartford, Connecticut, until delivery to Rockwell International, the prime contractor, in February 1980. This project, funded under the DOE wind-energy program, began in October 1977, following two years of feasibility studies under contract to ERDA. The program will continue with the field evaluation by Rockwell at their Rocky Flats site beginning in 1980. The prototype testing demonstrated the basic operation of the unique control concept of the UTRC Composite Bearingless Wind Turbine which utilizes a hub-mounted pendulum employed to twist the graphite composite inboard region of the blade producing blade pitch variations. The tests also demonstrated the predicted performance of 9 kW at 20 mi/h = (9 m/s) and the high-speed-stall control feature.