The objective of Task 40 was to coordinate international research and investigate the benefits of downwind turbine technology toward the reduction of the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and proliferation of onshore and offshore wind plants. The Task was designed to capitalize on past experiences and recent demonstration results as well as recently developed computational capabilities.

The focus included onshore and offshore wind turbines with both floating and fixed bottom applications while investigating the relevant design conditions where downwind turbines might offer advantages. Key research aspects that were studied include dynamic response, loads, controls, impact on LCOE, and so on.

The task included an objective, harmonized approach to assessing the LCOE of downwind turbines based on select baseline turbine models and methods accepted by the Participants.

The operating agents of Task 40 were Masataka Owada (owada@windenergy.co.jp) and Shigeo Yoshida (yoshidas@riam.kyushu-u.ac.jp).

The chapter on Task 40 in the Annual Report 2020 is available here.