Evaluating the dynamics loads of 2 blades and 3 blades wind turbines on different hurricanes category and power generation.

Wind turbine blade configuration and number play a significant role in the dynamic loading and power generation. With the growing demand for wind energy all over the world, it's important to analyze how wind turbines could withstand the hurricane prone areas specifically in the Caribbean and East coast of USA. Hurricanes can seriously damage wind farms both offshore and onshore. Thus, the aim of this research is to evaluate experimentally the dynamic loads and power output of 2 blades vs 3 blades for Horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT). Experiments were performed at the Wall of Wind (WOW) facility at FIU which can generate 70 m/s wind speed (Category 5). Our focus is to quantify the risk of failures of wind turbines due to hurricanes-induced wind on the blades, tower and the rotor for both 2 blades and 3 blades wind turbines. We will also compare the loads and the power output of the wind turbines at normal wind speeds to the high-speed winds.