Offshore hybrid wind turbine blades are not manufactured on precise robotic production lines like those for automobiles.
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Individual crews of people manufacture offshore wind blades in large onshore buildings. The crews mix resins, fiberglass, and carbon fiber into two separate molds. The two sections cure over time, and eventually the two halves are glued together.
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The rate of failure in humans building wind turbine blades could result in structural failure, blade debonding, or catastrophic torsion failure.
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The offshore environment leads to fatigue, accelerating cracking, and structural failure.
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None of the blades manufactured for the Vineyard Wind project has ever received a torsion test at the Massachusetts Clean Energy wind testing facility in Charlestown, Massachusetts. The WTTC site was only 290 feet long, while the blades were 351 feet long.
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Massachusetts has a long history of wind turbine failures. Wind turbines built on land after 2005 had a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. The issue soon became apparent: the expensive gearboxes were failing in 3 to 5 years. Replacing gearboxes became a cottage industry for companies rebuilding units.
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Offshore wind blades are inspected in service during the warranty period with drones or technicians. After the blades are installed, there are no structural tests. .
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Only time will determine whether the replacement of offshore wind blades evolves into a cottage industry.
Offshore Wind Blades 5 Year Outlook
by Frank Haggerty
yesterday
Offshore hybrid wind turbine blades are not manufactured on precise robotic production lines like those for automobiles.
.
Individual crews of people manufacture offshore wind blades in large onshore buildings. The crews mix resins, fiberglass, and carbon fiber into two separate molds. The two sections cure over time, and eventually the two halves are glued together.
.
The rate of failure in humans building wind turbine blades could result in structural failure, blade debonding, or catastrophic torsion failure.
.
The offshore environment leads to fatigue, accelerating cracking, and structural failure.
.
None of the blades manufactured for the Vineyard Wind project has ever received a torsion test at the Massachusetts Clean Energy wind testing facility in Charlestown, Massachusetts. The WTTC site was only 290 feet long, while the blades were 351 feet long.
.
Massachusetts has a long history of wind turbine failures. Wind turbines built on land after 2005 had a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. The issue soon became apparent: the expensive gearboxes were failing in 3 to 5 years. Replacing gearboxes became a cottage industry for companies rebuilding units.
.
Offshore wind blades are inspected in service during the warranty period with drones or technicians. After the blades are installed, there are no structural tests. .
.
Only time will determine whether the replacement of offshore wind blades evolves into a cottage industry.
.