The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult hosted a two-day event in Blyth this week examining key challenges for testing and certification of offshore wind turbine blades.
The seminar, which was held in partnership with Danish blade strengthening specialists Bladena, brought together developers, manufacturers and research institutions, ORE Catapult said.
Discussions included blade testing and type certification requirements that go beyond existing standards and the technical requirements for blade design, manufacturing, materials, testing, repair and operations.
ORE Catapult test facilities director Tony Quinn said: “The seminar has helped to give a better understanding of the issues affecting blade performance and explored the opportunity for improved design and more representative testing – developments that are important in further reducing the levelised cost of energy from offshore wind.”
Bladena chief technical officer Find Mølholt Jensen said: “It is interesting to see the latest developments that European test centres have achieved in full-scale testing with combined loading.
“This way of testing is possible today statically but is a challenge dynamically for very large blades.
“With the knowledge that has been shared at this seminar, I believe that it is possible to promote this process in the future.”
Image: ORE Catapult
