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The challenges of wind turbine blade durability

Blade durability has become a significant challenge in wind turbine technology. During operations of wind projects, DNV has observed that wind turbine blades have transitioned from relatively low-maintenance components to the leading problem for some operators.

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This paper examines the factors that are contributing to this transition through the lens of broad trends across the life cycle of blades – design, manufacturing, transportation/handling, operations, and life extension – and synthesizes a perspective based on DNV’s experience providing technical support to owners, operators, and turbine manufacturers. Perspectives provided here are driven by a combination of observations made through DNV’s interactions with the industry, including seeing the commercial and contractual forces driving new projects, providing certification-related services, performing blade design reviews and blade manufacturing evaluations, observing operational damage from inspections, and investigating blade failures.