EDF Energy has asked researchers to come up with long-term solutions to monopile foundation corrosion at offshore wind farms.
The energy giant said it requires a “novel inspection and monitoring” system that can guarantee structural integrity over a foundation’s 25-year lifetime.
Among the solutions EDF is seeking is remote foundation thickness inspections, remote inspection of welds as well as other corrosion monitoring techniques.
“Corrosion within monopile foundations is a cause for concern for offshore wind farms. The main problem is a deviation from the original design assumptions made for early offshore wind farm projects. This predicted that the inside of the monopile would be completely air and water-tight,” said EDF.
Between £5000 and £10,000 is available for the research projects. The scheme is being run alongside Innovate UK.
Image: EDF
