New fibres to revolutionise wind turbine production. Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation supports development of new blade technology
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Short notice given only substantially as follows: LM Glasfiber has been awarded DKK30 million (USD 6.3 million) by the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation for the development of an innovative wind turbine blade technology based on the use of completely novel types of fibre. The research program, which aims to ensure that Denmark remains the world leader in wind energy, has been named Blade King. LM Glasfiber has stepped up its own R&D activities by launching an ambitious research program worth DKK,60 million. The Foundation's grant will enable LM Glasfiber to accelerate its development of a technology that will make production of the most important wind turbine component much faster and more cost-efficient than has been possible until now. Thanks to high levels of automation, the new blade technology, Blade King, will significantly increase the efficiency of the processes of laying up the fibre material in the mould and finally moulding the actual wind turbine blade. The ultimate goal is to cut the total production time in half. For the development of the Blade King technology, LM Glasfiber has partnered with Aalborg University and Risoe DTU, which are to supply research and know-how on the new fibre types. The project also involves a third partner, the Danish company Comfil, based in Silkeborg, which will contribute know-how of thermoplastic composites. At this stage the company is remaining tight-lipped about the fibre choices it is exploring. Over the next five years, the four companies and institutions will work together to develop the new technology and make it ready for production. The first blades manufactured with the new technology are expected to reach the market by 2015, at the latest. The total development budget amounts to approx. DKK 60 million, so the support from the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation will be a tremendous boost to the ability to quickly realize the project. And there is no doubt whatsoever that development is urgently needed in the wind energy sector. Last year, 35 percent of U.S. investments and 40 percent of European investments in new electricity generation capacity went to wind energy projects, which clearly demonstrates that the world is now shifting to renewable energy sources - and that wind energy can no longer be regarded as merely a niche industry. This is why it is important for LM Glasfiber to play a leading role in shaping the future development of the wind turbine industry. In the coming years we wish to not only maintain, but expand our position as the world's leading manufacturer of wind turbine blades, and the 'Blade King' project will help us do just that.