Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Opti-LPS (Optimal Lightning Protection System)
Berichtszeitraum: 2015-07-01 bis 2015-10-31
The scope of the OPTI-LPS has been to undertake a feasibility study and to sharpen our business case on the wind turbine blade tip lightning protection system (LPS) product, the Lightning Interception Blade Implant (LIBI).
By interacting with wind turbine and blade manufacturers (OEMs) using surveys in important markets (China and US) and being in one-to-one dialog with the most important players, we have identified where and how to shape the LIBI concept to achieve the optimum blade lightning performance, the lowest costs possible for the OEM, and a substantial market advantage for GLPS. The process has been used to target our sales effort, to define who to approach when discussing implementation strategies, which challenges and barriers the different branches of the OEM experience when introducing new technology, and map a successful installation process and strategy.
The technical design and concept of our technology has been described, and the process of how to implement the LIBI in various blade designs has been investigated. The features and inherited strength of the LIBI combined with the documented test performance and ease of installation, have proven very successful and provided us with an enthusiastic view on the future for LIBI.
The surveys showed with no doubts that a LPS for a Wind Turbine blade which is pre-manufactured and pre-tested according to the highest standards and certified even before installation in the blade has been very appealing to the OEMs. They see a clear market advantage by outsourcing the design to the world’s leading company in wind turbine blade LPS design, to get the LPS systems delivered as one complete item covering the entire blade and have the systems manufactured worldwide in the markets where they operate. The confidence provided by addressing and executing all processes in compliance with the aerospace quality management system AS 9100, also ensures an outstanding blade lightning performance.
The technical design and concept of our technology has been described, and the process of how to implement the LIBI in various blade designs has been investigated. The features and inherited strength of the LIBI combined with the documented test performance and ease of installation, have proven very successful and provided us with an enthusiastic view on the future for LIBI.
The surveys showed with no doubts that a LPS for a Wind Turbine blade which is pre-manufactured and pre-tested according to the highest standards and certified even before installation in the blade has been very appealing to the OEMs. They see a clear market advantage by outsourcing the design to the world’s leading company in wind turbine blade LPS design, to get the LPS systems delivered as one complete item covering the entire blade and have the systems manufactured worldwide in the markets where they operate. The confidence provided by addressing and executing all processes in compliance with the aerospace quality management system AS 9100, also ensures an outstanding blade lightning performance.
The feasibility study have clearly pinpointed a huge market potential for the LIBI. The processes completed have led to a better understanding of the interaction with future costumers, to ensure that the business case is strong and the implementation process is lean and technically viable. The final consequence of implementing the LIBI in many blade designs is a documented better performance towards the lighting impact, a overall lower cost of energy for the end user, and a more safe and reliable operation of wind turbines.