Problem
Wind turbines are getting bigger and bigger, which means that the forces on these are also growing significantly. This results in a host of structural problems for the wing, as it may have difficulty holding on to these enormous forces. Here, the usual approach has been to repair the damage and put the blade back into operation without addressing the fundamental cause of the problem, which in many cases is that the wing’s structural integrity is inadequate. In addition, there will be a wide range of effects due to the mixture of forces when the blade rotates, which also leads to frequent damage. One of the reasons is that the test requirements used today are far from adequate.

Solution
Bladena has developed a wide range of solutions to reduce or completely eliminate these side effects and enhance the wing’s structural integrity. One of these solutions is a so-called D-String®, which is mounted in the rear edge of the blade, which completely removes the breath-like movement that occurs when a blade rotates, which destroys the adhesive joints over time. Another of the solutions is a so-called D-Stiffener ™, which is also mounted in the trailing edge, which strengthens the wing’s structural integrity without adding a lot of weight.
Bladena has developed an analysis tool (CAR Tool) that can simulate costs and especially the risk of wing damage. Loss of annual energy production (AEP) and unforeseen damage is critical for wind turbines, and with the use of CAR Tool this can be minimized. The tool, which is based on many years of wing damage data and research from the entire value chain in the wind industry, aims to support the decision-making process in connection with optimizing the operating costs of the blades. In addition, Bladena is also helping the industry improve requirements so that future tests will reflect the real operating conditions.