41st Risø International Symposium
The focus of the 41st Risø Symposium is new requirements for materials and design for next generation wind turbine blades. Over the last 40 years, wind turbine blades have grown an order of magnitude. Today, the longest blades are exceeding 100 meters and weighing 50 tons. Because of this growth in blade size, the cost of wind energy can now compete with fossil-based energy sources on market terms. Together with a wish in society for a zero-emission future, the wind energy sector is foreseen to further expand. This will require new solutions and approaches for next generation wind turbine blades, such as improved mechanical performance and structural reliability, coupled to more sustainable solutions including end-of-life considerations.
In order to address those new requirements for next generation wind turbine blades, the following topics focused on composite materials and their influence on the wind turbine blades will be addressed at the symposium.
Manufacturing
Existing and alternative manufacturing technologies; constrains and new opportunities, process charac., e.g. cure kinetics and residual stresses.
Mechanical properties and performance
Key design properties, e.g. stiffness, compression strength, fatigue resistance; materials development, e.g. hybrid, bio-based, and thermoplastic composites; adhesive joints and fibre/matrix interfaces; structural design and performance of blade structures.
Experimental characterization and testing
Micro and macro structural characterization, e.g. X-ray tomography and ultrasound, challenging test methods for composites, e.g. tension-compression fatigue,development of test methods for elements, e.g. plydrops and wrinkles, full scale testing of blades.
Polymer matrices and coatings
Smart composite materials, e.g. nano-reinforcement, self-sensing and self-healing, surface coatings, de-icing, leading edge erosion.
Sustainability, life-time extension and end-of-life
Repair, sensors, structural health monitoring, recycling, repurposing, decommissioning, life-cycle analysis (LCA).