3M, EDF RS to install wind vortex generators in US

US conglomerate 3M Co (NYSE:MMM) plans to install 3M wind vortex generators on wind turbines across the US with the help of operations and maintenance (O&M) specialist EDF Renewable Services (EDF RS).

The two parties have entered into a new collaboration agreement that will leverage 3M’s materials expertise with the installation and wind turbine blade repair teams from EDF Renewable Services, they announced on Monday.

3M’s wind vortex generators are small attachments that energise a flow around the blade and reduce flow separation. With their help, wind turbine owners can boost annual energy production (AEP) by 2% to 3%. The attachments also stabilise aerodynamics balance load effects and reduce noise due to reduced stall.

“When properly installed, wind vortex generators energize the flow around a blade’s surface and reduce aerodynamic separation, improving the turbine’s performance in terms of power, loads and service life,” said Santhosh Chandrabalan, Global Business Manager for Wind Energy at 3M Renewable Energy Solutions.

3M says that about 2,000 initial installations of wind vortex generators have already yielded a 2% increase in AEP.

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