Wind turbine blades could have much longer lives than expected, according to the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and RWE.
The companies have competed a testing programme and say that although some of the earliest models of wind turbines are approaching the end of their expected lives, in fact their blades could continue in operation for as much as half their expected lifetime again, in some cases. This means operating wind farms could continue generating power for longer.
Sally Poxon, Principal Validation Engineer at ORE Catapult, said: “We applied real-world physical testing to a blade which has already seen 20 years of operation and aged it dramatically to test a variety of different technical solutions and monitoring techniques. This process meant we were able to provide RWE with findings that allow them to make informed decisions about how to extend the life of the blade. We believe this could be a breakthrough moment for the wind industry, and one which further underlines the value and importance of this type of bespoke physical testing.”
Jessica Woodhall, RWE Head of Operations Strategy and Optimisation said: “ By demonstrating the potential to extend the lifespan of turbine blades, we can unlock substantial benefits, including increased energy production, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced sustainability. This innovation can help us maximize the value of our existing assets and support the growth of renewable energy.”
ORE Catapult said this could provide further options alongside repowering for turbines. RWE said it intends to apply the findings to ongoing life-extension assessments across its wind fleet and will share the learnings across its wider business.