Distributed Wind Aeroelastic Modeling (dWAM)
Researchers primarily use aeroelastic modeling to assess the structure and performance of a wind turbine. However, even with its many advantages, aeroelastic modeling tools are still not widely used in the wind industry. The Distributed Wind Aeroelastic Modeling (dWAM) project began with the National Laboratory of the Rockies’ Aeroelastic Modeling for Distributed Wind Turbines project and researchers Rick Damiani and Dean Davis in 2022. The project’s purpose was to model, optimize, and certify improved wind turbine designs.
Sandia National Laboratories partnered with NLR shortly after to address top research needs and accelerate the design and certification process for developing optimized and reliable distributed wind turbines. NLR’s efforts focused on OpenFAST code improvements, validation using research turbines at NLR’s Flatirons campus, code-to-code verification activities and development of guidance documents and improved user manuals. Sandia, as the partnering lab, focused its efforts on vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) modeling, including modeling code development, validation and user-experience improvements.
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Kevin Moore, Principal Investigator
kevmoor@sandia.gov