Repairing offshore wind turbine blades
UTC Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ Monday 23 November Wind turbines blades become damaged in service, due to leading edge erosion, lightning strikes, contamination and fatigue. If left, this may progress to cause aerodynamic losses that reduce power output and can ultimately lead to structural failure. There are proven ways to repair blade damage on onshore turbines, but, until last year, no one had successfully repaired offshore blades in situ using these methods. Rotos 360 Ltd , in a project supported by Innovate UK, demonstrated that a suspended access platform can be deployed from the deck of a service vessel. Combined with rapid UV cure resin systems and other innovations such as 24-hour working, and using a walk-to-work Offshore Support Accommodation vessel, they have been…