Reduce risk and O&M costs of wind turbine blades

EUDP - The Danish Government Scheme for Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program - has awarded financial support to the CORTIR project proposed by a partnership of 21 industry companies and 2 universities headed up by Bladena ApS. The total budget for the project is 28.8 million DKK (3.9 million Euro) and the EUDP support is 51%.

CORTIR - Cost and Risk Tool for Interim and Preventive Repair – includes the development of a sophisticated - yet user-friendly - numerical tool (CAR-Tool) to optimise the management of turbine blade maintenance in terms of risks and costs, with the main focus to reduce the levelised cost of energy and secure alignment towards maintenance throughout the full value chain. Early work in this area has illustrated that significant improvements can be achieved by employing an all-encompassing and rigorous tool based on known structural issues.

The CAR-Tool input parameters will be widespread from reliability data to detailed knowledge about structural blade and composite behaviour during operation of the wind turbines. Relating the technical inputs to the cost structures within O&M activities, the tool output will suggest an optimum inspection and maintenance strategy to be used for decision making which is both technically and financially sound.

CORTIR will further demonstrate how blade retrofits can be deployed beneficially in this effort and support the reduction of LCoE by diverting from standard repair solutions. This part of the project includes both experimental and theoretical work.

The project aims at benefiting everyone engaged in the blade maintenance activities, the owners as well as the companies that provide maintenance services to the industry, i.e. manufacturers, wind turbine owners, service companies and insurance companies. The importance of covering the entire value chain is reflected by the comprehensive list companies that participate and sponsor the project.

”We look forward to be part of this project and give our input on how the industry can minimise risk and O&M cost on blades.” says Finn Thyrring technical manager from CODAN insurance which is partner in the project.