Project description
Cutting wind turbine costs with smarter stress monitoring
Wind turbines are central to Europe’s green transition, but their upkeep is expensive due to blade erosion caused by airborne particles. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the WITE project will develop a monitoring system that combines an ultra-sensitive stress sensor with new insights into how turbulent, particle-laden winds damage blades. The project’s goals include adapting the sensor for aerodynamic use, uncovering how particles cause stress, and creating real-world damage maps based on weather and operating conditions. Using advanced lab simulations and analytical modelling, WITE aims to reduce maintenance costs, extend turbine lifespan, and boost the reliability of wind energy. This is a key step towards a carbon-neutral Europe.
Objective
Wind energy is essential to achieve carbon neutrality and the sustainable society. Optimization of its operations and maintenance (O&M) is imperative for its economic viability. Current annual O&M costs in Europe are around 5.8 billion euros, with erosion due to particle collisions being a significant contributor. This research aims to develop an innovative wind turbine monitoring system that integrates a novel stress sensor with a comprehensive understanding of turbine blade stress induced by particle-laden atmospheric turbulent flow. Three objectives guide this interdisciplinary study: (1) To adapt a novel stress sensor for aerodynamic applications, (2) To elucidate the fundamental mechanisms behind particle-induced stress on turbine blades, and (3) To create turbine blade damage maps that relate to actual operational and weather conditions. The project leverages state-of-the-art facilities for turbulence studies and the ultrahigh-sensitive strain sensor. First, the ultrahigh-sensitive sensor is redesigned for aerodynamic application. Particle-laden
atmospheric flows are then created in the lab to measure the distribution of particles in the flow around turbine blades and the
stresses they impose on them. The fluid dynamic mechanisms that determine particle concentration and particle-induced
stresses on turbine blades are examined and an analytical model is established. To improve field applicability, the independent
variables of the model are replaced by operational and weather condition parameters that can be easily measured in the field. Finally,
the practicality of the study is confirmed by creating annual damage maps of wind turbine blades operating in Europe and comparing
them with turbine blade lifetime and maintenance cycle data. The project not only brings to light the mechanism behind wind
turbine blade erosion, but also significantly reduces wind turbine O&M costs, increases efficiency, and contributes to sustainable wind
energy development.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences classical mechanics fluid mechanics fluid dynamics
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy wind energy
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences atmospheric sciences meteorology atmospheric circulation atmospheric turbulence
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
80333 Muenchen
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.