Aerodynamic blade add-ons such as vortex generators, spoilers and serrations for performance optimization of wind turbines.
SMART BLADE GmbH
RavensburgNew on Amplifa
About SMART BLADE
SMART BLADE GmbH is a company specializing in wind turbine aerodynamics, headquartered in Ravensburg. The company offers the full spectrum of aerodynamic rotor blade add-ons for turbines from all manufacturers, including multi-size-capable vortex generators (VGs), T-spoilers, Gurney flaps and trailing edge serrations. With these retrofits, energy yield (AEP) can be increased by 1–3 % or noise emissions reduced, thereby avoiding power-limiting operating modes resulting from strict noise regulations. In addition, flow visualization for in-situ analysis of blade flow, performance evaluations based on the DNV/GL-verified power-vs.-power method with machine learning methods, as well as design and development services for small wind turbines, rotor blades and research models are offered. By 2023, SMART BLADE has retrofitted around 4,000 turbines worldwide, making it one of the leading providers of aerodynamic performance optimization for multibrand wind turbines. The company works closely with the Technical University of Berlin as well as academic partners such as Texas A&M University; customers include, among others, EDF Renewables.
- Site
- Ravensburg
- Processes
- Vortex Generators (VG) Installation/Retrofit, T-Spoiler Installation/Retrofit, Gurney Flaps Installation/Retrofit, Trailing Edge Serrations Installation/Retrofit, Blade Flow Visualization, Performance Evaluations (Machine Learning / Statistical Analysis), Design & Development (Small Wind Turbines & Blades, Experimental Research Models), Vortex Generators (Retrofit)
- Materials
- Vortex Generators, T-Spoilers & Gurney Flaps, Trailing Edge Serrations, Power-vs.-Power Method
- Certificates
- DNV/GL verification (methodology)
- Industries
- Wind Energy, Renewable Energies
- 01
Design & Engineering (small wind turbines, rotor blades, research models)
- 02
Flow visualization for flow analysis
- 03
Retrofit installation of VGs, T-spoilers, Gurney flaps and serrations
- 04
Performance evaluation (power-vs.-power method, machine learning)
- 05
Field verification of the AEP increase
Services and Methods
Vortex Generators
Address aerodynamic stall behavior on the rotor blade and increase energy yield by 1–3 %.
T-Spoilers & Gurney Flaps
Provide further lift enhancement on the rotor blade in combination with VGs.
Trailing Edge Serrations
Reduce turbine noise emissions and avoid costly power-limiting operating modes.
Power-vs.-Power Method
Statistical evaluation system for quantifying the effect of VGs on electricity production, verified by DNV/GL.
Locations
Ravensburg
DEHeadquarters
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Generators (VG) Installation/RetrofitAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| T-Spoiler Installation/RetrofitAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Gurney Flaps Installation/RetrofitAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Trailing Edge Serrations Installation/RetrofitAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Blade Flow VisualizationTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Performance Evaluations (Machine Learning / Statistical Analysis)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Design & Development (Small Wind Turbines & Blades, Experimental Research Models)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality and Verification
The power-vs.-power method for quantifying the VG effect was verified by DNV/GL in an independent third-party audit.
| Evidence | Ravensburg |
|---|---|
| DNV/GL verification (methodology) |
History
- 2015
Technical report on VG performance evaluation (power vs. power), verified by DNV/GL
- 2023
4,000 turbines retrofitted worldwide; market leader in aerodynamic performance optimization for multibrand wind turbines