Offshore Demonstration Blade (ODB) - DEMOWIND2

Background
In offshore wind, Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs represent 16% - 23% of Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE). Rotor O&M represents an important share of these costs, specifically blade erosion and blade structural integrity. Furthermore rotor aerodynamic performance is a key handle to reduce LCOE.

Objective
The project objective is to validate several (7) novel technologies with a potential to deliver a step change in the LCOE of Offshore Wind. The novel technologies focus on three areas of improvement; Aerodynamic enhancements, Blade erosion protection and Structural enhancements.

Short description of activities
The specific objectives are to integrate in the blades of a research wind turbine the following novel technologies:
#1 : aerodynamic add-ons optimised for low drag (CENER),
#2 : protective leading edge insert for erosion protection (ODSL),
#3: structural stiffener to prevent damage due to shear distortion (Bladena),
#4: fibre optic acoustic sensors to monitor and validate structural stiffener performance (TNO),
#5: fibre optic sensors to detect leading edge erosion and top coating performance (TNO),
#6: High-performance hybrid coating for leading edge protection (Aerox).
#7: aerodynamic next-gen blade 100% retrofitable add-ons to increase AEP (decreasing LCOE) (Gamesa).
These solutions will be retrofitted to the 171m diameter rotor of the 7MW Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine, owned by ORE Catapult, and also on Gamesa’s 5.0MW, 3.3MW or 2MW turbines.

Results
The outcome of the project is a set of 7 technologies related to offshore wind turbine blades with a remarkable combined estimated benefit of 4.7% in terms of LCOE reduction, providing a significant contribution to the energy affordability, sustainability, and security of supply.