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Project:
Materials Selection for Wind Turbine Blades in Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Wind turbine is considered as one of competitive renewable energy in Saudi Arabia. We are currently producing Greenhouse gases and consuming fossil fuels in a completely unsustainable way to produce energy. All this is being done at the cost of damaging the environment. As this is increasing the global warming potential and ultimately increasing the carbon footprint. For this different renewable energy sources can be used like fermentation, pyrolysis of biomass, transesterification and wind energy. For Saudi Arabia the latter seems to be more suitable as a renewable source of energy because of its geological conditions.
In this study the materials selection for wind turbine blades have been carried out. The investigation process was achieved through studying the mechanical, physical and chemical process of the materials. Cambridge Engineering Selector Edu-Pack (CES) software was used in the materials selection and optimizing the manufacturing process. The objective, constraints and the free variables have been discussed in details based on the operating conditions. Material indices were derived and applied in the materials selection process via CES software.
It was found that carbon fibers and Glass fibers were the best candidates for production of wind turbine energy blades because of their good mechanical, thermal and physical properties with respect to cost.
Filament process was found as the best optimum process for the manufacturing of wind energy blades.
Distinction
This project was selected among top 50 projects round the world in a contest conducted by King Abdullah University (KAUST) under their Winter Enrichment Program 2011.
Team
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Bassyouni
Engr. Waheed Ul Hassan
Engr. Umair Javed
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