RENEWABLE ENERGY


also more susceptible to damage. An investigation into the impact velocity versus the rain flow rate found that impact velocity will cause more damage than increased rain flow. As offshore wind is not limited by acoustic emission, the tip speeds and blade lengths tend to be much larger, thereby increasing the impact velocity of the rain droplets.


THE CHALLENGE


Te difficulty with blade maintenance is not only finding suitable materials and methods for protecting new blades but, more commonly, repairing damage to those already in the field. Te associated challenges can be twofold. Firstly, materials science – developing materials and techniques that will protect blades throughout their useful lifetime. Secondly, application – applying the protective measures in the field, often in difficult conditions, narrows the available maintenance windows. Tere is already an extensive amount


of research in the materials science field for ultimate performance. Here, we


Repairing damage in the field narrows the available maintenance windows


Typical blade damage due to leading edge erosion


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