AkzoNobel's state-of-the-art wind turbine blade testing facility simulates extreme weather conditions and performs high-speed testing to drive innovation in protective coatings. The company has installed the test facility at its Felling plant in the UK. It simulates operation at half the speed of sound. The multi-million euro investment is intended to promote the development of the "International Protective Coatings" brand, which supplies wind farms all over the world.
Researchers at the new facility - which can simulate harsh weather conditions around the world - will be able to triple the number of rain erosion tests carried out each week. At full speed, the so-called "helicopter" test can travel at 176 meters per second.
"Today marks an exciting new chapter in our long history of supporting sustainable innovation and product development," said Ralph Slikkerveer, R&D Director of AkzoNobel's Marine and Protective Coatings business. "Conducting this type of world-class testing in-house - where we can generate the data immediately, analyze the results and extend the test periods - will transform our contribution to innovation in the wind energy sector. As one of the market leaders, we will be able to engage in more meaningful discussions on the life prediction of protective coating systems for wind turbine blades."
To support the ultra-high-speed tests, the new facility has been equipped with a 1,000-liter water recycling tank. During the tests, the water flow rates and the water and air temperature can be adjusted as required.
"The protective coatings we are testing will help to future-proof our customers' blades so that they can withstand the most extreme weather conditions," adds Slikkerveer.
