The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult in the UK has signed an agreement with Danish wind engineering specialist Bladena to test blade reinforcement technology designed to extend the operational life of offshore wind turbines
With many of the first fleet of operational offshore wind turbines approaching the end of their planned lifespans, there is a need to accelerate the development of new technology which could potentially help extend the life of turbine blades.
The full-scale testing programme at ORE Catapult’s National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth will use an 88-m blade to carry out unique full-scale torsional load tests – the first of its kind conducted by ORE Catapult and understood to be an industry first. It will be used to show how Bladena’s reinforcement technology performs under the twisting forces it could experience out at sea.
ORE Catapult will be developing a bespoke test methodology for the programme, with the aim of better understanding how the new reinforcement technology developed by Bladena impacts how the blade responds. Findings could potentially guide industrywide efforts to improve turbine reliability and reduce lifecycle costs.
ORE Catapult chief blade engineer Matthew Hadden said, “We are excited to be carrying out this testing with colleagues from Bladena, to examine how we can better monitor turbine blades as they age through their operational life, with the hope of being able to inform the development of technological solutions across the sector.”
Bladena, part of RES, the world’s largest independent renewable company, is a specialist in wind turbine-blade engineering and lifecycle solutions. The company’s chief technology officer, Find Mølholt Jensen, said testing its technology at ORE Catapult’s “is a significant milestone.” Mr Jensen said “stronger blades mean lower costs and more power, and by improving how they withstand stress over time, we can ensure more reliable performance in offshore environments.”
The project builds on years of research by Bladena and partners, including the Technical University of Denmark and Danish Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme. Their work revealed how even minor torsional loads can accelerate fatigue in composite materials and adhesive joints.
Testing will begin in January 2026, with preparations already underway.
