Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Carbo4Power (New generation of offshore turbine blades with intelligent architectures of hybrid, nano-enabled multi-materials via advanced manufacturing)
Période du rapport: 2022-05-01 au 2023-10-31
-Nanocomposites based on dynamic thermosets with inherent recyclability and repairability and tailored nano-reinforcements to enhance mechanical properties.
-Multifunctional nano-enabled coatings to improve turbine protection (e.g. against lightning and biofouling (e.g. 50% fouling release).
-Blade segments will be designed and fabricated by advanced net-shape automated multi-material composite technologies that will allow ca. 20% scrap reduction.
-The approach for WTB is to deliver innovative design of modular rotor blade, while the approach for TTB is aimed towards an optimal design for ‘one-shot’ manufacture.
-Recycling of blade materials will be increased up to 95% due to the advanced functionalities of 3R resins and adhesives with debonding on demand properties.
The strategic goal is to provide the frame which will create new pathways for manufacturing of FRPs for multiple processing life cycles, and explore the emerging valorisation opportunities in offshore energy sector.
-Reduction of operational and maintenance costs by development of durable and multifunctional materials. The employment of advanced techniques for fibre modification and introduction of nanomaterials, can lead to lighter and stiffer blades and increase their durability. Furthermore, Carbo4Power´s multi-functional coatings with high wear resistance, (super) hydrophobic/omniphobic properties and lightning protection will reduce potential damage by lightning strikes, erosion and biofouling, consequently reducing the maintenance requirements.
-Increase of market capacity regarding the cost for energy/per capita and therefore reduction of the cost in the life cycle of an OE. Specifically, Carbo4Power will develop materials that can be employed in automated processes to enable high deposition rates, scrap reduction and reduction of investments that will directly impact the production cost of Wind and Tidal turbine blades.
- Promoting safety and nanosafety approaches and contributing towards the framework of EU nano-safety and regulatory strategies.
- Reduction of Installation and Commissioning costs, by investigating modularity (segmental) designs of blades that will provide easier transportation and installation, compared to conventional blades manufactured in only-one piece, such as blades larger than 80 m long and weighting more than 25 tonnes. A Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) prototype system will also be developed for the efficient and effective monitoring of offshore turbine blades. Combined with machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) coupled with appropriate algorithms, advanced data processing will be enabled to allow reduction of repairing costs.
-Reduction of CO2 emissions and decommissioning of blades, by developing materials that can be repaired, recycled and repurposed. Furthermore, the investigation of materials with smart debonding properties will allow the bonding of blades for operation, and debonding on demand for maintenance or decommissioning. This way the environmental impact, which occurs from off-shore energy sector, will be reduced and the project outcomes will have positive impact to the society.
- Improved understanding of materials behaviour and manufacturing processes based on theoretical materials models. The modelling tools and computational algorithms will simulate the whole structural behaviours of blades targeting by topology optimization and aerodynamic/ hydrodynamic modelling to give load values. The proposed modelling techniques will impact the in depth understanding of the material properties from atomistic to continuum and they will be especially helpful for the export of the technology to other applications. To export the technology, focus will be given on data-driven artificial intelligence (AI) to help manufacturers
select the ideal blade material from the outset.
-With the establishment of an Offshore Energy Board (OEB) which is comprised of experts from offshore energy sector, a techno-economical assessment of the current industrial requirements will be realised and provide guidelines to address increased market needs occurred from unforeseen events such as COVID19.