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Development of Long High Performance Blades for Large Offshore Wind Turbines - Request for Proposal


Citation ETI Development of Long High Performance Blades for Large Offshore Wind Turbines - Request for Proposal, ETI, 2016. https://doi.org/10.5286/UKERC.EDC.000599.
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Author(s) ETI
Project partner(s) ETI
Publisher ETI
DOI https://doi.org/10.5286/UKERC.EDC.000599
Download WIN_WI1007_1.pdf document type
Abstract This is the call for proposals for Development of Long High-Performance Blades for Large Offshore Wind Turbines

This Project is based on system optimisation studies which identified that the most cost-effective next generation turbine size is likely to be in the range 8-10MW, with proportionately larger blades than those currently proposed for turbines of this size. The impact of larger blades on the capacity factor is the next most important lever on delivered cost of electricity, after system reliability. We are now therefore seeking partners to undertake the development of high performance blades nominally in excess of 90m in length matched to turbines of greater than 8MW and ideally 10MW capacity with tip speeds typical of locations at distance from shore that does not present any noise and visual impact.

The outcomes for this long blade Project are to:
  • Design, manufacture and test blades that are the optimum size for the next generation of large offshore wind turbines (>8MW and ideally 10MW);
  • Verify the blade performance predicted by the models developed at the design stage;
  • Be in a position to supply realistic numbers of blades into First-of-A-Kind small arrays of the target turbines by end 2014 and demonstrate a plan thereafter to scale up the business operation to serve the market.
The aim of the Project is to accelerate the market introduction of long blades in optimal configurations and break down the barriers to their deployment. The ETI recognises that different Respondents may propose different approaches to this. The outcomes of the Project however must be the manufacturing and testing of high performance long blades at full size, rather than demonstration solely of manufacturing technology or a blade concept at smaller scale.
Associated Project(s) ETI-WI1007: Accelerating Very Long Blade Development
Associated Dataset(s) No associated datasets
Associated Publication(s)

An ETI Perspective - Larger Blade Technology, an innovation case study

ETI Innovation Learnings - Longer Blade Technology

ETI Insights Report - Offshore Wind: Floating Wind Technology