What is Blading Efficiency

Question

What do you understand by Blading Efficiency ?

Answer 1

Blading Efficiency can be described as the power which is used to develop the rate of kinetic energy. It is also called as diagram efficiency. With the increase in the number of blades on wind turbine, aerodynamic efficiency also increases but in a very diminishing manner. When we move from 2 to 3 blades design there is an increase in the efficiency of about 3 %. But as we move from 3 to 4 blades design efficiency gain is generally marginal.As the number of blades increases, cost of the system also increases drastically. With that the mechanical design of blades also becomes difficult affair. Blades should be thinner to be aerodynamically efficient. But blades having thinner portion at the root, it may not withstand bending stress induced due to axial wind loads. Generally wind turbines with 3 blades which can accommodate a thicker root are used.