Imagine trying to predict how a car performs, but only considering the road and ignoring rain, snow, or sandstorms. This project looks at the 'full picture' of weather—like rain and dust—to see how they actually wear down wind turbine blades. By understanding these real-world conditions, we can build turbines that last longer and produce more power in tough locations.
Wind farms are often designed only for wind speed, ignoring rain and sand. This leads to unexpected blade erosion, inaccurate power predictions, and higher maintenance costs, increasing the financial risk for investors.
A toolbox including an erosion risk atlas, wind farm control systems, and production/load prediction tools, supported by 5 complex numerical models.
If you are a blade manufacturer dealing with premature wear in sandy or rainy regions — this project developed new blade designs and an erosion risk atlas that increases component durability.
If you are an operator dealing with unpredictable power drops due to weather — this project developed a wind farm operation and control tool that optimizes annual production and reduces maintenance costs.
If you are a developer dealing with high financial risk when siting farms in complex terrains — this project developed prediction tools for loads and production to lower the LCOE and reduce economic uncertainties.
The project aims to reduce the LCOE by improving the prediction of energy outputs and operating costs, which reduces the risk for investors when designing wind farms.
Yes, the project is guided by industrial partners and validates its tools using data from 4 commercial wind farms to ensure they are rapidly absorbed by the sector.
Based on available project data, the project creates an open-access knowledge hub of experimental data, though specific licensing for the numerical tools is not detailed.
The tools are tested across 5 sites covering various altitudes, terrain complexities, and both onshore and offshore environments.
The project is active from 2023-01-01 to 2026-12-31.
The consortium is highly industry-weighted with a 36% industry ratio, comprising 11 partners across 6 countries. With 4 industrial partners and 3 SMEs involved, the project is designed for commercial uptake rather than just academic research, balancing 4 research entities and 2 universities to provide the necessary scientific backing.
Contact FUNDACION CENER in Spain for technical inquiries regarding the erosion risk atlas.
Contact us to connect with the AIRE consortium for early access to the erosion risk tools.
