LM Glasfiber announced the company has entered into a research project with the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation (DNATF) with the goal to develop laser-based wind sensory systems, which would eventually end up being an integral part of a wind turbine.

The research project is a joint venture endeavor involving LM Glasfiber, Risø DTU and NKT Photonics. The resulting sensory system will signifcantly improve load control of an operating wind turbine, which will in increase efficiency in return, as well as the machine's reliability.

Blades waiting for the next step in the production process.

The so called "intelligent blade" will "measure" the wind and either adapts to the current wind conditions or supplies the data to a wind turbine control system. The new LIDAR technology, will be an extension of LM Glasfiber's previous blade monitoring technology. The system can increase power production by as much as 5% over the 20-year life span of a typical wind turbine.

A prototype of the new LIDAR technology is planned to become available in 2012. LM Glasfiber is planning to supply its customers with LIDAR enhanced intelligent blades by 2014.

[source: LM Glasfiber, image: LM Glasfiber]