[{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/en\/article\/modal\/8975\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBigger, better blades for wind turbines\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEurope is full of wind \u2013 and making good use of it. Wind energy is set to make the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/research-and-innovation\/research-area\/energy-research-and-innovation\/wind-energy_en\u0022\u003Elargest contribution\u003C\/a\u003E to EU renewable energy targets.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThis makes it a key component in Europe becoming climate-neutral, an objective the EU wants to reach by 2050. Home-grown technologies and tools will help Europe meet its climate goals while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU wind ecosystem on the global stage and create new green jobs.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe winds of change\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EIn 2020, wind energy met about \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/windeurope.org\/intelligence-platform\/product\/wind-energy-in-europe-in-2020-trends-and-statistics\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E16% of Europe\u2019s electricity demand\u003C\/a\u003E, including a majority of installations on land and a fraction offshore, both floating and fixed.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EEurope has plans to significantly up the ante, with projections to increase total wind-based power generation by about 50% over the next 5\u0026nbsp;years. Increasing power performance will be achieved not only by more installations but also wind turbines that can generate more power than their predecessors and that are out of commission less for maintenance and repairs.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EWind turbines are huge, fast (considering their size and weight), and subjected to very harsh working conditions. Imagine a football pitch spinning around in the air at about \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ewea.org\/wind-energy-basics\/faq\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E15\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;20 revolutions per minute\u003C\/a\u003E in some of the gustiest places on Earth.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EFrom 2000 to 2018, the average length of wind turbine blades more than doubled. Newer models are expected to reach lengths exceeding 85 metres by 2025. Some offshore turbines could be sweeping the sky in the near future with blades 110 metres long \u2013 a rotational diameter of two football pitches end to end.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe larger the blades, the faster the tips move \u2013 and the greater the erosion on their leading edges. The industry has made tremendous technological progress in materials, design and manufacturing. Still, putting up bigger blades that deliver more power with less wear is a tremendous challenge.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EFortunately, the EU has a plan that includes improving resilience to degradation \u2013 which will only increase with larger blades and more and more extreme weather events \u2013 and better non-destructive monitoring to catch defects early, even during manufacture.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA coat of armour that \u2018gives\u2019\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ETo withstand the forces of nature and the huge forces the rotation itself generates, blades are manufactured with a multilayer \u2018coat of armour\u2019. Typically, the outer layer erodes during operation and the inner layers can become detached.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Asta \u0160akalyt\u0117 Director of Research and Development at Aerox Advanced Polymers, SL, although the lifespan of a turbine is theoretically 25 years, current medium-sized systems typically require extensive maintenance at about 10 years due to blade deterioration. Newer ones with larger rotational diameters show severe erosion by the second year of service.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ETo address the problem, Aerox developed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.aerox.es\/materials\/lep\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAROLEP\u003C\/a\u003E\u00ae, a pioneering proprietary leading edge protection system that is now market-ready thanks to work done by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cordis.europa.eu\/project\/id\/811473\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELEP4BLADES\u003C\/a\u003E project.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EThe AROLEP\u00ae coating can absorb high-speed and high-frequency impacts caused by raindrops and other particles hitting the leading edge of the blade. Tailor-made modification of polymer properties ensures the coating and blade materials work together so the impact effects are dissipated throughout the structure of the blade.\r\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EAsta \u0160akalyt\u0117, Director of Research and Development at Aerox Advanced Polymers, SL\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EUnlike conventional coatings you might find on pipes, Aerox\u2019s coating is viscoelastic, meaning that it gives or, more precisely, deforms under stress and bounces back. As \u0160akalyt\u0117 explained, \u2018this is achieved with a combination of two polymers with different complementary properties. The AROLEP\u00ae coating can absorb high-speed and high-frequency impacts caused by raindrops and other particles hitting the leading edge of the blade. Tailor-made modification of polymer properties ensures the coating and blade materials work together so the impact effects are dissipated throughout the structure of the blade.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EIndependent performance tests showed AROLEP\u00ae protects the integrity of the blades better than any other available solution \u2013 and it can be used for new blades as well as those already in service.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EMarket uptake should have significant ripple effects back to consumers: significant savings in maintenance, repair and downtime translating to lower energy costs. In the meantime, Aerox is continuing to improve the formulation while targeting novel coatings and adhesives for future blades that could help make wind turbine manufacture a zero-waste business.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnd an angel to watch over them\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ECoatings are designed to minimise damage, but they cannot completely prevent it. Improved structural health monitoring technologies could catch defects early before the scales tip and repair or replacement creates financial and practical problems as large as the turbines themselves.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EBlade failures are a significant issue for the wind turbine industry. Approximately \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ewea.org\/fileadmin\/files\/library\/publications\/reports\/Economics_of_Wind_Energy.pdf\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ea third of the billions of euros annually\u003C\/a\u003E that go towards operation and maintenance (O\u0026amp;M) of wind turbines is for inspection and\/or repair of blade coatings.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EUntil now, it had been impossible to identify internal defects in blade coatings. Visual inspection is the method of choice during manufacture and maintenance, but it misses defects lurking under the surface.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EEven technologically advanced methods of inspection like inductive and ultrasound technologies fall short when it comes to the coatings on wind turbine blades. They require contact that can damage blades and coatings, particularly if wet, and they cannot analyse individual layers, only total thickness.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EOne way to see inside multilayer coatings may lie in the terahertz (THz) region of the electromagnetic spectrum \u2013 between microwave and infrared frequencies. It can \u2018see\u2019 through things and identify what is inside \u2013 and its chemical composition and electrical properties \u2013 in a non-destructive, non-invasive and non-ionising way.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EUntil a few decades ago its potential was difficult to tap in part due to our inability to efficiently generate and detect the waves. But that is changing now with proprietary THz technology developed specifically for industrial use by das-Nano and introduced to the market in the context of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cordis.europa.eu\/project\/id\/829644\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENOTUS\u003C\/a\u003E project.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003ENOTUS is the first contactless tool for non-destructive material inspection specifically designed for wind turbine inspection. It can perform deep characterisation of individual layers of any coating structure and any blade, independent of materials, enabling quantification of interlayer adherence.\r\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EEduardo Azanza, Chief Executive Officer of das-Nano \u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Eduardo Azanza, Chief Executive Officer of das-Nano and NOTUS coordinator, \u2018NOTUS is the first contactless tool for non-destructive material inspection specifically designed for wind turbine inspection. It can perform deep characterisation of individual layers of any coating structure and any blade, independent of materials, enabling quantification of interlayer adherence.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ENOTUS is available in three versions for applications along the life cycle of blades supporting development, manufacturing, operation and even inspection by receiving personnel or insurance companies. It could save windfarm operators approximately 10% of O\u0026amp;M costs based on Azanza\u2019s estimates.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EAnd windfarms are not the only ones who will benefit. NOTUS works with all sorts of multilayer substrates, including metal, composite and plastic. It accommodates flat and curved surfaces and dry, wet and cured paints.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe THz technology also enables electrical characterisation of advanced materials such as graphene, 2D materials, thin films and bulk materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EAzanza said: \u2018das-Nano has brought to market NOTUS, a harmless technology for fast and non-destructive \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bit.ly\/3hofLiN\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Einspection\u003C\/a\u003E of every single product in a manufacturing line, identifying defective pieces at the earliest possible time.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research in this article was funded by the EU. If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-bg-bluelightest tw-p-12 tw-my-12 tw--mx-16\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3 class=\u0022tw-font-sans tw-font-bold tw-text-blue tw-uppercase tw-text-lg tw-mb-8\u0022\u003EErosion is the main reason for unplanned repairs of wind turbine blades\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-inline-block tw-w-1\/6 tw-h-1 tw-bg-blue tw-mb-8\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EYou might be blown away to learn that wind turbine blades fail 12 times more frequently from surface erosion than from structural failure. This problem is much more serious with offshore installations, which typically have larger blades subjected to harsher environments.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EInternal defects in the coatings lurking below the surface erosion are hard to detect and often not in the sites of highest stress. Whether failures require repairs, total replacement or new installations, downtime slashes power generation and cuts into the pockets of operators with tremendously expensive cranes onsite as well as parts and labour.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETackling surface erosion with a combination of improved coatings, repair and detection methods will keep blades stronger longer.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/epdf\/10.1002\/we.2552\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECosts of repair of wind turbine blades\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003C\/textarea\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv id=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 class=\u0022ecl-help-block description\u0022\u003E\n Please copy the above code and embed it onto your website to republish.\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cinput autocomplete=\u0022off\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022form-szud5fuvivdv8i4wgw-themml73aujvvaavxjvbxcdy\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_build_id\u0022 value=\u0022form-szUD5FuVIvdV8I4WgW_thEMml73AUjvvAAvxjVBXCDY\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003Cinput data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_id\u0022 value=\u0022modal_form_example_modal_form\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003C\/form\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","dialogOptions":{"width":"800","modal":true,"title":"Republish this content"}}]