Next step for futuristic, one-piece rotor wind turbines
We4Ce, a Dutch rotor blade designer, has made 10 sets of blades for the startup TouchWind.
Published on April 8, 2025
Team IO+ selects and features the most important news stories on innovation and technology, carefully curated by our editors.
We4Ce, a Dutch rotor blade designer, has made 10 sets of blades for the startup TouchWind. These are for testing on the TW6 turbine, a floating, one-piece rotor that tilts and differs from the usual three-blade designs. It can handle wind speeds up to 250 km/h, the highest in industry standards. The final version should cost less and produce more energy than traditional turbines.
The delivery of the blades marks the next prototype phase of TouchWind’s wind turbine. Featuring a six-meter-diameter rotor designed for efficient energy capture, the 12 kW turbines will be tested onshore and offshore. The turbines will be placed close to one another to validate the high energy density previously demonstrated in wind tunnel tests. Currently being assembled in Eindhoven, the wind turbine will start testing in the summer.
Similar to a kite
The turbine functions similarly to a kite: instead of pushing against the wind like traditional turbines, it “lifts itself” with the wind, using aerodynamic lift to stay stable and to regulate the power. This configuration allows the blade to harness strong winds more efficiently while reducing stress on the structure.
TouchWind’s design not only aims to reduce wind interference between wind turbines, a common issue in large wind farms, but also to improve overall wind farm power generation efficiency.
Conventional blades: shut down above 90 km/h
Conventional three-blade turbines shut down above 90 km/h to prevent load damage, a particular concern to the blade. With its self-adjusting single rotor, TouchWind’s design minimizes load stress and remains operational in wind speeds up to 250 km/h.
Improved durability
We4Ce has developed a new production method using one-shot infusion technology for the central part of the rotor blade. By designing the aerodynamic shells to eliminate bonding lines in the nose area, the risk of leading edge erosion is significantly reduced—resulting in improved durability and higher annual energy yields.
Looking ahead: new designs
Looking ahead, TouchWind has begun development of a 3–5 MW version of the turbine in 2025, aiming to scale its design for future offshore deployment. The wind turbines are suitable for more compact offshore wind farms and could be scaled further in the future.
A vibrant offshore wind industry thanks to these Dutch companies
Dutch companies are helping the offshore wind industry move forward. We highlight three pioneers.