Research into new decision-making tools and remanufacturing technologies for the life extension of wind components.
Context
Most wind farms are designed to operate for 20 years. Before that period, their performance begins to decrease and maintenance costs increase. Beyond 20 years, there is no detailed knowledge of their behavior, nor a plan to decide how to act on each machine.
By 2025, 38 GW of wind farms in Europe will be over 20 years old. In Spain, 27% of installed capacity is approaching the end of its useful life; by 2025, it will already have 10 GW that has been in operation for more than 20 years.
In the Basque Country, there are currently 4 wind farms between 19 and 25 years old. These farms generate ~350 GWh per year (6-7% of the renewable energy supply). The Basque Country has set a goal to increase renewable generation to 15% by 2030. To achieve this, two defined strategic lines exist:
- Build new wind farms in the Basque Country
- Improve and extend the useful life of current wind farms
Challenge
Project Pillars
Turbine Condition Assessment
Research into new manufacturing AND DIGITAL technologies
Stiffening and/or functionalization of bearings using metal cladding. New manufacturing techniques for plain bearings using direct metal deposition.
New digital tools for remaining life assessment to support decision-making in maintenance strategies, unplanned interventions, or determining residual time.
Design of a decision-making tool to estimate the best business option within the addressed possibilities
Decisions adopted in the project will influence actions linked to circularity and sustainability, becoming a new strategic tool.
Validation of each technology and the global WINDLIFE methodology
Expected results
Windlife News
Consortium
RVCTI AGENTS
Project subsidized by the Department of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability of the
Basque Government (HAZITEK 2025 Program) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF 2021 – 2027)
Project promoted by:
