Risø DTU is participating in a cooperation with LM Glasfiber, Aalborg University and Comfil Aps that is going to revolutionise the production of wind turbine blades. The project has received DKK 35 million from the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation. Risø DTU contributes with knowledge about fibre composites and process technology.
A new major project, named ”Blade King”, led by LM Glasfiber could prove to be a revolution for the production of wind turbine blades. The new blade technology, means that the process of filling the fibre material into the mould and the casting of the wind turbine blade will be made more efficient through a high degree of automation. The material is under development; it has to be stronger and lighter.
Scientists at Risø DTU have many years of experience with the so-called fibre composites consisting of polymers and various types of fibre, when it comes to characterisation and optimizing the properties and the processing of the materials. The cooperation with LM Glasfiber, Aalborg University and Comfil started back in the beginning of the 1990ies.
The current cooperation project has a budget of DKK 65 million. Included in this amount is DKK 35 million granted by the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation for the next 5 years. Risø DTU’s expected budget is DKK 12 million.
”We expect much from this technology, ” says senior scientist Aage Lystrup who of course is pleased that the project now is supported by the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation. ”However, it is necessary to aim high and think in an innovative way if Denmark is to retain its lead within wind energy at a time where wind energy is expanding enormously around the whole world.”
The first blades produced with the new technology are expected to be ready for the market by 2015.
Also read the news on the website of LM Glasfiber
- and on the website of the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation (in Danish)