99% of each Wind Harvester turbine is made from aircraft aluminum, steel, and concrete, all of which, when well-maintained, have a usable life of over 70 years.
Our Sandia National Labs-based aeroelastic computer models of turbine loads, aerodynamic efficiencies, harmonic resonance and fatigue have been validated with data from our models 3.0 and 3.1. The LIFE fatigue model takes this information and predicts the life expectancy of the components based on the loads the turbine will realize over its lifetime. The LIFE model, for example, predicts that our old blades would have a life expectancy of 27 years, but our new blade design should last for 74 years.
Key to a turbine operating for 70+ years is to refurbish key components on a regular basis. For example every 20 years, the owners of our turbine can:
- Replace the bearings
- Rewire the generator
- Replace the power converter,
- Replace key fasteners and retorque the rest
- Replace control and brake components
We expect the refurbishing to cost around 15% of the initial cost. The foundation, galvanized steel rotor, aluminum blades, and well-protected “nacelle” will not need reconditioning.
