Virginia Tech. Department of Mechanical Engineering. Center for Renewable Energy and Aerodynamic TestingGE Power and WaterVirginia Tech. Aerospace and Ocean Engineering DepartmentBrown, KennethMolinaro, NickMeyers, TimothyBorgoltz, AurelienDevenport, William J.Luedke, JonathanPesetsky, David2015-07-282015-07-282015-06-09Brown, K., Molinaro, N., Meyers, T., Borgoltz, A., Devenport, W., Luedke, J., & Pesetsky, D. (2015, June). Sensitivity of wind turbine airfoil sections to geometry variations inherent in modular blades. Paper presented at the North American Wind Energy Academy 2015 Symposium, Blacksburg, VA.http://hdl.handle.net/10919/54663In the ongoing work to increase the efficiency of large-scale, horizontal-axis wind turbines, the modular blade concept has been proposed. The aerodynamic performance of modular blades, whose baseline profile remains unchanged from conventional blades but who are susceptible to a larger degree of variation in both manufacturing tolerances and fabrication materials, is yet unknown. This paper works towards quantifying the aerodynamic effects of variations to a baseline wind turbine section, specifically, examining the effects of offsets in the leading edge of the profile and the use of a tensioned fabric as a flow surface over the aft of the profile. Wind tunnel tests were performed on a modified DU91-W2-250 section with an offset in the leading edge and cavities in the aft that were alternatively fitted with fabric-covered panels and rigid aluminum panels. Measurements included lift, drag, airfoil surface pressures, and surface deflection of the fabric material. Preliminary results show the modifications have a noticeable impact on the aerodynamics of the section, including altered surface pressure distributions and wake characteristics.48 pagesapplication/vnd.ms-powerpointapplication/pdfen-USIn CopyrightPresentationBrown, KennethMolinaro, NickMeyers, TimothyBorgoltz, AurelienDevenport, WilliamLuedke, JonathanPesetsky, David