Green lightweight laminated cementitious composite (LCC) for wind energy harvesting – A novel application of LCCs

Abstract

This paper evaluates potential of a novel, low-cost, and environmental friendly cement-based composite for wind energy harvesting. The composite is fabricated of cementitious matrix. Fibers and mesh reinforcements were introduced into the matrix for enhanced flexural performance. The composite was used to fabricate wind turbine blades which were tested for suitability under varying wind loadings. Wind turbine blades fabricated of the proposed cementitious composite successfully yielded power output when tested in wind tunnel; the maximum power coefficient being 0.182. The developed composite was also tested for mechanical performance and early-age shrinkage, the results of which indicated satisfactory performance. The proposed composite, if used for fabricating wind turbine blades, can significantly reduce the wind power generation cost. However, the lower power coefficient attained in this study can be improved by using hollow cross sections which are anticipated to reduce the corresponding unit weight and augment aerodynamic behavior of blades. Keywords: Lightweight, Cementitious composite, Wind energy harvesting, Laminated composite