New Modular Blade Dynamics Wind Turbine Blade Begins Testing In Blyth
Blade Dynamics has shipped its modular D78 turbine blade for testing at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult’s blade testing facility in Blyth, in the west of the UK.
The D78 blade is the only modular offshore wind turbine blade in the world, and contains a number of new technologies — including a lightweight and high dimensional accuracy blade tip, with built-in leading edge protection. Blade Dynamics, the UK-based wind tubine blade developer and manufacturer, shipped the D78 to the UK from its US-based operations at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility, so that it can now be tested at Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult facility, the UK’s flagship technology innovation and research centre for offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy.
The modular design is intended to minimise variation in blade construction, and to simplify blade manufacture and transportation.
“All the technology behind this blade has been developed in-house by Blade Dynamics and I am very proud to be part of such a great team,” said Pepe Carnevale, CEO Blade Dynamics. “First and foremost, this can reduce the cost of energy very significantly, but there are also several other unique benefits. Because the blades are assembled from smaller components, we are not constrained by expensive new factories dependent for survival on a very limited local market, making big blades in one big factory.
Blade Dynamics is also very proud to not only have designed 100% of the blade’s aeroshape and structural design, but also to be creating a product that will benefit multiple industries in the UK.
“The technology allows the existing British composites industry – boat builders, aircraft parts manufacturers, automotive suppliers and others – to supply transportable components from the UK,” Carnevale continued. “The most interesting aspect is that because these smaller components are easily shippable and assembly can be done in a simple warehouse building, blades can be assembled anywhere, with limited setup cost, in the UK or abroad. This creates an export market for blades and allows established UK companies to participate in the wind turbine blade supply chain, which is otherwise very difficult to see happening. This blade, and this technology, is a real game changer.”
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