Large wind turbines

Future Blade technology is the result of a four-year development project whose aim was to optimise the ways that design, materials, and processes interact. This concept is targeted at the production of large wind turbines, i.e. the large multi-megawatt wind turbine blades of the future.

Find out more about our Future Blade technology

More about our research in large wind turbines
As part of the project for large wind turbines, the technologies that we are now familiar with were split into all their component parts. Each element was carefully investigated and analysed, right down to the tiniest detail. And then they were all re-assembled in a completely new and more intelligent, rational way. This meant that every aspect of our work in conjunction with the development and production of large wind turbine blades underwent careful scrutiny. Were the technologies that LM Glasfiber uses, based on glass-fibre shells, still the most effective solution for blades that are to exploit wind energy effectively and ensure the cheapest possible production of electricity, over a service life of at least 20 years.

The conclusion was the basic principles used in our blade designs are still the best for the job - but that it was indeed possible to make improvements to both materials and processes. And this would help ensure that we maintain the necessary technology advantage.

Article: A new versatile blade meets market demand (Newsletter: September 2007)
Throughout the industry, there’s an increased demand for blades for 2.5-3 MW large wind turbines as economics push the size of wind turbines upward.

Having fewer, larger wind turbines reduces the number needed of expensive towers, foundations, erection operations and power collection cables. This is even more evident in the offshore sector, where the largest wind turbines can be expected. At LM Glasfiber, our engineers have designed a longer, more versatile blade for the growing market of 2.5-3 MW turbines, LM 48.8P, which is a perfect fit for several different wind turbines. The blade was designed together with the customers using LM Glasfiber’s experience and knowledge in aerodynamic design.

“More and more customers have been requesting a 100-meter rotor to be used on a 2.5 MW or 3 MW turbine,” said Jeroen F. Kooij, Project Manager, Blade Development. “Other customers have smaller hubs, and they have requested a 48.7-meter long blade instead of a 48.3-meter long one to obtain a 100-meter rotor. For this reason, the LM 48.3 blade was elongated 40 cm to 48.7 m and
named LM 48.8P.”

Depth and Width
LM Glasfiber engineers are accustomed to designing blades dedicated to specific customers. The LM 48.8P is an example of how LM Glasfiber’s product range can include both ‘depth’ and ‘width’ – engineers can enter into close cooperation with customers to make integrated designs, or LM Glasfiber can offer a versatile blade type that meets the needs of more customers.

Being able to produce the same high-performance blade type to fit more larger wind turbines increases the blade producer’s flexibility toward customers. They will benefit from the economies of scale that LM Glasfiber will be able to realize in e.g. sourcing of raw materials. But more importantly, large scale production of this blade will enable the optimization of global capacity utilization, which means a more flexible global delivery to the customers.

In September, prototype production will start for four different customers. Soon, several factories around the world will be producing this type of blade for different customers.

Welcome to LM Glasfiber – turbinde blades for the whole world
LM Glasfiber is the world's leading supplier of blades for wind turbines, and the only supplier that operates on a global basis. We develop and manufacture turbine blades that make efficient use of wind energy to produce reliable, competitively priced electricity.

LM Glasfiber's goal is to strengthen our position as a worldwide leader in the development and production of wind turbine blades and to make sure we are always highly competitive compared with other manufacturers.

We will live up to our position as market leader by making sure our customers benefit from our high degree of specialisation, technical know-how, large-scale production and a global presence with factories near all the most important markets. We have clearly documented our ability to provide customers with the shortest lead-times available anywhere, a supply chain that they can rely on completely and the highest possible quality, measured in terms of reliability and price per kWh. Our strategy is to achieve these goals via intensive research and development.

Our strategy focuses on constantly strengthening our core competencies as regards both technology and innovation. This applies to materials, processes, blade design and testing, as well as to logistics and service. We will also strengthen working relationships with our customers by continuing to develop technologies and products specifically suited to their needs, thus boosting their competitiveness. Working with our customers to develop unique, innovative designs for wind turbine blades helps them achieve results that they could probably never achieve working alone.

Process - greater automation
As our blades grow in size and acquire a greater degree of intelligence, the demands involved in the manufacturing process increase. Greater automation enables us to meet these requirements, as well as giving financial and quality advantages. For example, laying out the fibreglass is speeeded up by 25%, with less going to waste. LM Glasfiber produces more than 7000 blades a year, which means there is a solid basis for implementing new and more cost-effective technology all the time.

Moulds made in-house
The technology to build the right moulds is one of the keys to blade production. It is therefore a great advantage to have that expertise available in-house so that we can adjust the moulds to production requirements. This enables us to ensure full compliance with quality and efficiency requirements and tolerances.

Shorter production times
Resin infusion and curing are two key processes in determining the quality of a blade and how long it takes to manufacture it. By running computer simulations, we ensure that these processes are carried out in the best possible way.

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Large wind turbines
Future Blade technology is the result of a four-year development project whose aim was to optimise the ways that design, materials, and processes interact. This concept is targeted at the production of large wind turbines, i.e. the large multi-megawatt wind turbine blades of the future. Find out more about our Future Blade technology More about our research in large wind turbines As part of the project for large wind turbines, the technologies that we are now familiar with were split into all their component parts. Each element was carefully investigated and analysed, right down to the tiniest detail. And then they were all re-assembled in a completely new and more intelligent, rational way. This meant that every aspect of our work in conjunction with the development and production of large wind turbine blades underwent careful scrutiny. Were the technologies that LM Glasfiber uses, based on glass-fibre shells, still the most effective solution for blades that are to exploit wind energy effectively and ensure the cheapest possible production of electricity, over a service life of at least 20 years. The conclusion was the basic principles used in our blade designs are still the best for the job - but that it was indeed possible to make improvements to both materials and processes. And this would help ensure that we maintain the necessary technology advantage. Article: A new versatile blade meets market demand (Newsletter: September 2007) Throughout the industry, there’s an increased demand for blades for 2.5-3 MW large wind turbines as economics push the size of wind turbines upward. Having fewer, larger wind turbines reduces the number needed of expensive towers, foundations, erection operations and power collection cables. This is even more evident in the offshore sector, where the largest wind turbines can be expected. At LM Glasfiber, our engineers have designed a longer, more versatile blade for the growing market of 2.5-3 MW turbines, LM 48.8P, which is a perfect fit for several different wind turbines. The blade was designed together with the customers using LM Glasfiber’s experience and knowledge in aerodynamic design. “More and more customers have been requesting a 100-meter rotor to be used on a 2.5 MW or 3 MW turbine,” said Jeroen F. Kooij, Project Manager, Blade Development. “Other customers have smaller hubs, and they have requested a 48.7-meter long blade instead of a 48.3-meter long one to obtain a 100-meter rotor. For this reason, the LM 48.3 blade was elongated 40 cm to 48.7 m and named LM 48.8P.” Depth and Width LM Glasfiber engineers are accustomed to designing blades dedicated to specific customers. The LM 48.8P is an example of how LM Glasfiber’s product range can include both ‘depth’ and ‘width’ – engineers can enter into close cooperation with customers to make integrated designs, or LM Glasfiber can offer a versatile blade type that meets the needs of more customers. Being able to produce the same high-performance blade type to fit more larger wind turbines increases the blade producer’s flexibility toward customers. They will benefit from the economies of scale that LM Glasfiber will be able to realize in e.g. sourcing of raw materials. But more importantly, large scale production of this blade will enable the optimization of global capacity utilization, which means a more flexible global delivery to the customers. In September, prototype production will start for four different customers. Soon, several factories around the world will be producing this type of blade for different customers....

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