Design and Development of Slotted Blades to Increase Efficiency of Wind Turbines; Socio-technical Analysis of Wind Energy Technology and its Adoption within the U.S.
Kim, Joseph, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia
Elliott, Travis, EN-STS Dept, University of Virginia
Momot, Michael, EN-Mech/Aero Engr Dept, University of Virginia
Within the past two decades the U.S. has been experiencing significant increase in energy production from the wind turbine. For the technical thesis, the technical project group develops a horizontal wind turbine blade which increases the efficiency of wind turbines. Then the wind turbine blades design which includes slits are compared to the control blades without slits in order to test the effectiveness of braking system upon the wind turbine reaching the cut-off speed. My STS thesis examines the wind turbine technology and its relation to the social structures within the U.S through the scope of Social Construction of Technology. The purpose of this examination is to analyze the flexible interpretations of wind turbine technology by the various stakeholders in order to better understand the closure and stabilization in the form of technological adoption.
BS (Bachelor of Science)
Wind, Social Construct of Technology, SCOT, Wind Turbine, Blades, renewable energy, wind energy, U.S.
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Technical Advisor: Michael Momot
STS Advisor: Sean Travis Elliott
Technical Team Members: Anna Ho, Tryston Raecke, Craig Wendelken
English
2021/05/18
