ÉireComposites (Galway) is part of a team that has secured more than €2.7m of European Funding for the POWDERBLADE project which focuses on ‘Commercialisation of Advanced Composite Material Technology for Large (60-100m) Wind Turbine Blades’. The company will receive over €1.5m over the next 3 years for its role as coordinator and lead partner in the project which aims to manufacture lightweight, cost-effective, carbon-glass hybrid blades. Success in this funding round (the Horizon 2020 Fast Track to Innovation Pilot) recognises the quality and potential impact of ÉireComposites’ research activities in the renewables sector.
The immediate effect of this disruptive materials technology in the wind energy sector will be reduced wind turbine cost. This in turn will lead to increased productivity of low-carbon energy from more rapid market deployment of large turbines. The reduction in costs and increase in productivity will reduce the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) for the European citizen – the ultimate beneficiary of this innovation.
ÉireComposites is an established industry player in composites manufacturing for the Aerospace and Renewable sectors and an experienced FP7/Horizon 2020 participant. Suzlon, a large wind OEM and end user, is the second industry partner. Their involvement demonstrates early market acceptance of the new technology. Suzlon are committed to investing substantial funds in the commercialisation of this technology in return for the opportunity to gain significantly as the first large industry player to market with light, cost-effective carbon-glass hybrid blades. Technology partner (University of Edinburgh) and innovation specialists (WestBIC) will support the industry partners in achieving the goals of the project.
Submitted by Tomás Flanagan
