Funding worth over £1 million has been secured by the University of Hull to help Siemens Gamesa tackle a key challenge in the construction of offshore wind turbine blades.
The use of fibre-optic sensors is being developed to ensure the manufacturing techniques are consistent when it comes to injecting resin into complex moulds.
Ensuring even dispersion is vital, with huge cost implications should quality standards not be met.
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The university's Faculty of Engineering lead, Professor Jim Gilbert, said: “We are delighted to have secured this significant new funding, which will enable the continuation of a successful partnership with Siemens Gamesa.
“As the offshore wind energy sector continues to accelerate, finding solutions to challenges such as this will be essential to ensure the UK can meet its ambitious Net Zero targets.”
Sensors will be able to monitor the temperature of the resin, how it is flowing along the blade, and whether it is curing at the rate it is expected to.
Led by the university, the project is supported by the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
With a total research value of £1.25 million, £1 million of funding has been provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. It is a continuation of the wider £7.6 million Prosperity Partnership – which also brings in Durham University and Ørsted.
Within the university, the project involves teams from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Aura and the Energy & Environment Institute.
Prof Gilbert said: “This project builds on the substantial investment the university has made in Aura, cements the relationship with a key industry partner and establishes a new link with the AMRC in Sheffield.”
