Wind turbine rotor blade

1. A rotor blade for a wind turbine, comprising:

a flange section comprising a first end configured to connect the rotor blade to a rotor hub, and a second end; and

an airfoil section extending outward from the second end,

wherein the first end has a first diameter and the second end has a second diameter such that a ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is between approximately 0.75 and 1.0;

wherein joint bolts in the flange section have a fatigue reserve factor in the range of 1.0 to 1.6; and

wherein the flange section further comprises a carbon reinforced polymer.

2. The rotor blade of claim 1 , wherein the flange section further comprises a tapered portion between the first end and the second end.

3. The rotor blade of claim 2 , wherein the flange section further comprises a transition portion between the first end and the tapered portion, the transition portion having a constant diameter and wall thickness.

4. The rotor blade of claim 2 , wherein the tapered portion has a wall thickness that varies in size linearly along its length.

5. A blade root for a rotor blade for a wind turbine, comprising:

a first end for connecting to a rotor hub;

a second end from which an airfoil section of the rotor blade extends outward; and

a tapered portion between the first end and the second end,

wherein the first end has a first diameter and the second end has a second diameter such that a ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is in the range of approximately 0.75 to 1.0,

wherein joint bolts in the blade root have a fatigue reserve factor in the range of 1.0 to 1.6, and

wherein the blade root further comprises a carbon reinforced polymer.

6. The blade root of claim 5 , wherein the diameter of the first end is in the range of approximately 1.5 to 1.85 meters.

7. The blade root of claim 5 , wherein the diameter of the second end is in the range of approximately 1.8 to 2.3 meters.

8. The blade root of claim 5 , further comprising a transition portion between the first end and the tapered portion, the transition portion having a substantially constant diameter and wall thickness.

9. The blade root of claim 8 , wherein the tapered portion has a wall thickness that diminishes linearly from the transition portion to the second end.

10. The blade root of claim 9 , wherein the wall thickness of the transition portion is approximately 100 mm.

11. The blade root of claim 10 , wherein the second end has a wall thickness of approximately 56 mm.