Blade Dynamics says the design phase of their “Very Long Blade Project” for the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has successfully concluded and that the prototyping stage will now begin.
The Southampton company will now assemble an approximately 80-metres-long mega-blade prototype, and will begin static and fatigue tests before the end of 2014.
Siemens Wind Power has confirmed its continued support to the development of this advanced rotor technology.
This ETI-commissioned and funded project is the first application of Blade Dynamics’ innovative technology for large offshore blades, with a rotor designed specifically for the Siemens SWT-6.0 (6MW) turbine.
Henrik Stiesdal, Chief Technology Officer of Siemens Wind Power, said: “We are pleased to confirm our ongoing collaboration with the ETI and Blade Dynamics in this interesting project.
“After this next phase of further prototype testing, we will consider demonstration of a full rotor on a 6.0 MW turbine.
“Subject to successful conclusion of the tests it is clear that the potentials of the split-blade technology of Blade Dynamics would be expected to become even more interesting as we move to even larger turbine platforms.”
Andrew Scott of ETI said: “The vision is to support the development of next-generation blade technology because improved rotor performance is fundamental to achieving the goal of reducing the cost of offshore wind energy.
“We greatly appreciate the ongoing commitment of Siemens to this project with Blade Dynamics.
“As leaders in this field, this partnership for the development of next-generation rotor technology has the potential to have a huge impact on the cost of offshore wind energy in the future.”
The £15.5million project was launched a year ago and the Blade Dynamics technology will demonstrate blades that are both longer and lighter than those made from conventional glass fibre.
The company is already versed in the use of carbon-fibre to increase strength and durability and reduce weight.
This includes developing the so-called D49 blade, which is also ground-breaking in that it is assembled from smaller modular composite mouldings, typically of 12m maximum length.
Blade Dynamics says that the technology in the D49 blade is ready to be scaled up to blades for 10MW turbines, and there are already designs for blades almost twice as long as the D49.
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