PROBLEM? - SOLVED! TECHNICAL DETAIL
MANAGING INNOVATION TO ELIMINATE RADAR
INTERFERENCE PROBLEM
Wind farm turbines are essential to the production of renewable energy, but the large radar cross section can cause problems for civilian radar navigation systems – this often limits where turbines can be positioned
Wind farms must be created in the race to meet the EU’s target of increasing energy from renewable sources from 20% by 2020 to 50% by 2050. They are also the cheapest and most technologically straightforward source of renewable energy. For this reason, the number of wind turbines installed across Europe is estimated to increase by 80,000 by 2030.
THE ISSUE IS WHERE WILL ALL OF THESE FARMS GO?
Potential locations are currently limited and as a consequence, an increasing number are being situated close to the main shipping lanes and plane flight paths. Combine this with growing concerns that the very large radar cross section of the turbines and the motion of the blades can be detrimental to passenger safety and civilian radar navigation systems, and a significant problem begins to become clear.
SOLUTION
Through the combined expertise of the Osgram consortium, a cost-effective answer using a low thickness, dual band Salisbury screen or frequency selective surface (FSS) structure was identified.
Supported by funding of nearly €1million, through the EU FP7 programme, the Osgram project has developed a continuous manufacturing process for the production of an intrinsically conductive polymer (polyaniline).
By tailoring the conductivity of the polyaniline, Pera Technology developed two low-thickness RAMs based on a Salisbury screen and a frequency selective surface (FSS) structure, suitable for application to wind turbine towers, nacelles, and blades. Both structures achieve radar attenuation of 20dB in the S- and X-band frequency ranges, enabling wind turbines to be positioned in areas of optimal power generation, without the threat of disrupting civil, maritime, and aviation radar navigation.
CO-EXISTENCE
The innovative new material means that, for the first time, radar systems and wind farms can co-exist, with the siting of the latter being dictated by optimal power generation rather than radar proximity.
This discovery will allow the development of world-leading RAMs, giving the Osgram consortium global market leadership and projected sales of over €80 million within five years of the project’s conclusion.
CONSORTIUM
The Osgram consortium consists of Pera Technology, Nitech Solutions Ltd, Geolica Innovations, GlasCraft Ltd, HITEK Electronic Materials Ltd, VTT Technical research Centre of Finland, Surface Power, and ATARD.
Pera Technology Click to view more info
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