A consistent focus on research helps maintain our leadership position. LM Wind Power conducts extensive R&D in close collaboration with both customers and leading research institutions. Our objective is to develop new technology that makes wind turbines more efficient and extends the service life of both the turbines and the blades.
At LM Wind Power, we believe in sharing knowledge and combining research to conquer new fields of innovation. Therefore we are actively engaged in a number of major national and international multi-stakeholder programs that all possess the potential to create breakthrough innovations for wind.
Below is a summary of two of our major research programs we contribute to.
Blade King
Launched in 2008, this four-year project explores the potential benefits of materials in terms of ‘full scale’ production of large wind turbine blades. LM Wind Power has partnered up with the National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy Risø DTU, Aalborg University and thermoplastics specialist Comfill on developing new materials and technology, which will significantly reduce the production time of large rotor blades.
The project which is supported by the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation, has developed the first composite materials with alternative fiber reinforcement. An intensive testing program has been launched to investigate and validate material properties, process characteristics and handling in relation to practical production processes. The first results are highlly promising.
Next step is to look at optimum bonding between fibers and resin, clarification of laminate properties in relation to mechanical, thermal and process issues as well as preliminary considerations relating to blade design and process development.
NanCore
More reliability at less cost.
The NanCore project aims to develop a novel microcellular polymer nanocomposite (MPNC) foam, with mechanical properties and cost allowing for a substitution of Balsa wood and PVC foam as core material for lightweight composite sandwich structures in the blade manufacturing process.
The success of this project will lead to significant cost reduction of at least 30 percent. This will also alleviate serious market imperfections and supply problems suffered by European consumers of both PVC foam and Balsa wood. Additionally there will be a significant decrease in blade rework due to balsa delaminations.
Keep coming back to this page for updates!