Wind Turbine Active Flow Control Using Plasma Actuators By: Christopher Gusty

1. Wind Turbine Active Flow Control Using Plasma Actuators By: Christopher Gusty Description of Research The goal of my research was to study whether adding plasma actuators to wind turbine blades could reduce the structural loads on the blades while also increasing power output. This technology has the potential to help many wind energy the most efficient and most popular renewable energy source in the world. Plasma Actuator Configuration and Circuitry What is a Plasma Actuator? Plasma actuators are electrical mechanisms that produce a plasma discharge when subjected to a large supply voltage. The plasma discharge ionizes the surrounding air, thereby creating an attractive force that prevents flow separation. When placed on wind turbine blades, this force increases lift and decreases torque on the blades. The result is more power output and less structural fatigue on the blades and gear boxes. Methods and Future Work I am currently using a computational fluid dynamics computer program to simulate the effects of a plasma actuator on an airfoil. I am then taking those results and using Matlab to predict how these actuators will affect wind turbine blades.I am currently in the early stages of research, but will continue to work on this project my senior year. The goal of this research is to publish our findings in a research journal.