Fraunhofer IWES has launched a three-year project aimed at reducing the impact of rain damage on wind turbine blades.
The €2.38m BeLeB initiative will look to develop forecasting models for erosion damage and apply them to turbine operations.
Fraunhofer IWES will utilise its rain erosion test bench, which will operate continuously, to provide 3D images of damage. The results will be compared with offshore operating data.
The data will be used to develop preventative measures.
Other partners on the project are Blade Care, DWT, FreLacke, Jadewind, Nordex, Ocean Breeze and Senvion.
Image: Fraunhofer IWES rain erosion test bench (Fraunhofer IWES)
Fraunhofer spotlights rain erosion
Three-year project will develop preventative measures for blade damage
By EBS