“Not all wind turbine blades are created equal.”

Renewable energy technology is being modernized. According to research, solar energy – accounting for 3.9% of total annual electricity production in the United States – is the most popular form of clean energy in the country. The wind energy sector, which collectively accounts for just over 10% of utility-scale generation capacity, is also generally favorable and is seeing a surge in investment and design.

A news release from Renewable Energy magazine reported that “independent energy expert and assurance provider” Det Norske Veritas (DNV) has tightened standards for wind turbine blades, prioritizing safety and reliability.

The rotor blade standard – the company’s ST-0376 – was developed by DNV for the use of large, flexible blades in multi-megawatt turbines.

“By prioritizing reliability and safety, our goal is to increase industry confidence and accelerate the global transition towards sustainable energy solutions,” Kim Sandgaard-Mørk, DNV’s executive vice president for renewable energy certification, told the magazine.

The improved standard provided a comprehensive approach to dealing with the complexities associated with blade development. Unlike the previous standard, which focused solely on safety, the updates were intended to focus on other factors, including reliability, fault tolerance, design for manufacturing and additions to international standards (IEC 61400-5) for wind turbines.

The wind energy sector has gained momentum in recent years. For example, one large wind farm, the Kitty Hawk Wind project, could bring in nearly $5 billion and create more than 12,000 jobs. This project alone could generate enough renewable energy to power one million homes and significantly reduce air pollution.

In addition to improved standards, innovations in wind turbine technology have pushed the boundaries further with counter-rotating and vertical-axis turbine designs. These innovations are said to have a lower impact on the environment. As offshore wind has grown, taxpayers benefit financially from leasing it because it is publicly owned. This makes wind energy more available and cheaper.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, wind and solar projects are currently more economically competitive than gas, geothermal, coal or nuclear facilities. Wind turbine production has increased, and so have the processes for assessing them.

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“Not all wind turbine blades are created equal,” Christopher Harrison, DNV chief engineer and service line leader for energy component and systems certification, told Renewable Energy Magazine. “Different design assumptions and methods, along with varying performance during validation testing, can result in different blade performance over their lifetime.”

As technologies and standards develop to increase the efficiency of renewable energy, communities will benefit even more in the years to come.

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