The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult is partnering with the University of Bristol on a £2.3m research project to help develop larger and more powerful wind turbines.
Phase one of the Wind Blade Research Hub (WBRH), which is a five-year partnership, will investigate materials and manufacturing technology, blade integrity, design and performance.
The WBRH will also provide a blueprint for future industry and academic collaborations in areas such as electrical infrastructure, foundations and powertrains.
It will be supported by a group of PhD and EngD students, a post-doctoral researcher and a lecturer from the University of Bristol, working alongside the Catapult’s blades research team.
ORE Catapult research and disruptive innovation director Stephen Wyatt said: “Producing ever larger turbines means manufacturing even longer blades – something which pushes current technology to the very limit.
“As such, these longer blades will need to be constructed using new designs, materials and new construction and manufacturing processes – and these new blades will need to be tested and validated.
“The WBRH provides a mechanism for pulling all of these different strands together.”
Image: ORE Catapult’s blade testing facility (ORE Catapult)
Catapult forms blade boffins team
Initiative with Bristol University to develop larger turbines
By EBS