The objective of EROSION is to enable longer lifetime of wind turbine blades at multi-MW machines.
Close-up of eroded blade
To achieve the objective we will investigate leading edge erosion at wind turbine blades using rain erosion tester for selected blades and different rain input. Furthermore the rain in real atmosphere will be investigated from ground-based instruments (disdrometers), modelling of rain based on rain radar data for new understanding of rain erosion climatology at relevant sites.
Finally a new prototype instrument will be developed in order to measure rain at wind turbines for making decision on control, to set ‘erosion safe mode’ with regulation of turbines based on the assumption that lower tip speed during heavy rain event will enable much longer lifetime of wind turbine blades at multi-MW machines.
Project timeline
Project start April 1st, 2017 and project end December 31st, 2021