Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MEWi-B (More Efficient Wind Blades) Période du rapport: 2015-06-01 au 2015-11-30 Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet The action context of MEWi-B (More efficient Wind Blades) during the 6 month of Phase 1 has been the implementation of Feasibility Study to evaluate the technical and economic viability of a new model of a more efficient universal aeroelastic wind blade 24 m length to improve the efficiency of old wind turbines (WT).The objective was to formulate complete and consistent business/economic/technical analysis to allow to establish a practical and sustainable business plan. Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent The work performed during the reporting period concern on: market analysis for innovative wind blades (market trends, competitors check, competitive arena form MEWi-B); winds blades State of the Art Analysis and scouting of technology and patent by literature analysis; assess on-site performance of pre-prototyped blades and definition of the final technical/production specifications of the new wind blades; elaboration of business plan.The main results achieved so far are: the identification of the key target market and customer segment in wind farm operators in Italy and Spain, possessing 10 years old or more WT(wind blades length 24m), foreseeing the very concrete possibility of opening up to the whole European market, producing new wind blades for every wind farm operator with 10 years old or more wind blades, up to 40 m long; the number of potential replacing old blades; test of pre prototyped blades in real relevant environment (Images 1-2) with first over performance results more than 20%; progress on TRL, from 6 to Level 7 due to the simulation re-blading operation on old WT; intellectual property strategy proposition about aerodynamic profile’s innovative design European patent application, utility model acquisition to protect innovative coating and eco-sustainable materials use, and potential registration of trademark with a brand strategy; business plan drafting (gross profit margin expected on revues generated by new blades is about 49% 3 years after the project, while the payback period is approximately 18 months after the project). Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent) Based on the results of the Feasibility Report, ETA decided to continue with the project, focusing on a specific wind blade product 24 m long and a target Market Segment. The updated MEWi-B innovative idea appears to be very appealing and highly profitable. The work done up to this moment will result in a project proposal to be submitted to CE under SME Instrument Phase 2 and in a detailed business plan for investors and commercial partners Image 2_MEWi-B Pre-prototyped blades test in real relevant environment Image1_MEWi-B Pre-prototyped blades test in real relevant environment
