A SCOTTISH technology firm has hailed £700,000 investment to roll out a new product it believes will transform the maintenance of windfarms.
Dundee-based Edge Solutions has developed an “ultra-tough and aerodynamically optimal erosion shield”, named armourEDGE, in collaboration with INEOS Styrolution, which quickly and simply repairs eroded wind turbine blades.
It said it tackles a problem know as “leading edge erosion” affecting the majority of operational wind turbines.
It is currently being installed on an operational offshore wind farm in northern Europe.
“Leading edge erosion is a significant issue for wind turbines, offshore and onshore,” said Edge Solutions managing director David Urch. “With tip speeds approaching 330 km/h, continual impacts by rain, hail, ice and other airborne particulates damage the blade surface, leading to increased drag and reduced energy production. This drives up operating cost due to increased maintenance downtime and ultimately blade replacement.”
The shields are made from a bespoke version of INEOS Styrolution’s Luran SC thermoplastic material, created specifically for wind turbine blades.
The company is working with a leading wind turbine maintenance provider to deliver trained and certified technicians to support its roll out programme.
Ken MacIntosh, of INEOS Styrolution, also hailed the move.
He said: “It’s been very motivating to work with an entrepreneurial company like Edge Solutions. Together, we came up with the optimised material performance for the given challenge.” https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/19601618.scottish-company-develops-windfarm-turbine-protector/
0 Comments