Blade Dynamics has announced that the design phase of its Very Long Blade Project for the U.K.-based Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), launched earlier this year, has successfully concluded and that the prototyping phase will now begin.
Blade Dynamics says it will now assemble an approximately 80-meter-long blade prototype and begin static and fatigue tests before the end of 2014. In addition, Siemens Wind Power has confirmed its continued support to the development of the rotor technology. This ETI-commissioned and -funded project is the first application of Blade Dynamics' technology for large offshore blades, with a rotor designed specifically for the Siemens SWT-6.0 turbine.
‘We are pleased to confirm our ongoing collaboration with the ETI and Blade Dynamics in this interesting project," says Henrik Stiesdal, chief technology officer of Siemens Wind Power. "After this next phase of further prototype testing, we will consider demonstration of a full rotor on a 6 MW turbine."
Andrew Scott, program manager for offshore wind at the ETI, adds, ‘The ETI's vision is to support the development of next-generation blade technology because improved rotor performance is fundamental to achieving the goal of reducing the cost of offshore wind energy. We greatly appreciate the ongoing commitment of Siemens to this project with Blade Dynamics."
Blade Dynamics says the 15.5 million British pound project will demonstrate blades that are both longer and lighter than those made from conventional glass fiber.
