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Offshore wind blade testing and inspection is a critical aspect of ensuring the reliability and longevity of wind turbines in harsh marine environments. This process involves a range of techniques and considerations, including blade manufacturing, materials science, aerodynamics, structural integrity, and environmental factors. Keywords related to this field encompass blade design, composite materials (fiberglass, carbon fiber, resin), manufacturing processes (layup, molding, infusion), quality control, non-destructive testing (NDT), ultrasonic testing (UT), phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), eddy current testing (ET), radiographic testing (RT), thermography, visual inspection, borescope inspection, crack detection, delamination, fatigue testing, static testing, dynamic testing, bend testing, tensile testing, shear testing, buckling, vibration analysis, modal analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), blade aerodynamics, lift, drag, turbulence, wind loads, extreme weather conditions (storms, icing), salt spray corrosion, UV degradation, erosion, leading edge erosion, trailing edge damage, lightning strike protection, blade repair, blade maintenance, offshore operations, remote sensing, drone inspection, aerial inspection, underwater inspection, robotics, automation, data analysis, predictive maintenance, condition monitoring, structural health monitoring (SHM), sensors, strain gauges, accelerometers, acoustic emission, oil and gas industry parallels, marine environment, offshore wind farms, renewable energy, sustainable energy, wind energy technology, levelized cost of energy (LCOE), energy production, grid integration, safety, risk assessment, certification, standards (IEC, DNV GL), regulatory compliance, blade transportation, blade installation, offshore logistics, metocean data, weather forecasting, blade optimization, performance analysis, cost-effectiveness, lifecycle assessment, failure analysis, root cause analysis, warranty claims, insurance, offshore wind technicians, blade specialists, training, safety procedures, access systems, working at height, confined space entry, personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency response, search and rescue, environmental impact, marine ecosystems, noise pollution, visual impact, stakeholder engagement, community relations, permitting, environmental regulations, offshore wind development, project planning, due diligence, feasibility studies, risk management, supply chain, manufacturing capacity, logistics, port infrastructure, vessel availability, heavy lift vessels, jack-up vessels, crew transfer vessels, cable laying vessels, offshore construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance (O&M), service agreements, spare parts, inventory management, logistics optimization, digitalization, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), digital twins, simulation, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), remote operations centers, autonomous systems, robotics in offshore wind, underwater robotics, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), oceanographic surveys, bathymetry, seabed mapping, geotechnical investigations, environmental monitoring, marine mammals, bird strikes, wildlife protection, environmental impact assessment (EIA), social impact assessment (SIA), community benefits, job creation, local content, supply chain development, economic development, sustainable development goals (SDGs), climate change mitigation, decarbonization, energy transition, green energy, clean energy, renewable energy targets, policy support, government incentives, offshore wind industry, global market, market trends, technological advancements, research and development, innovation, collaboration, knowledge sharing, best practices, industry standards, safety culture, continuous improvement, operational excellence, asset integrity management, risk-based inspection, reliability-centered maintenance, predictive maintenance strategies, condition-based maintenance, life extension, repowering, decommissioning, end-of-life management, circular economy, recycling, waste management, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, corporate governance, ethical business practices, transparency, accountability, stakeholder engagement, community involvement, social license to operate, public acceptance, environmental stewardship, climate action, sustainable development.

Offshore Wind Blade Testing and Inspection Workshop

Price

$1,250

Duration

1-Day

Dates

May 22, 2025

Format

In-Person WTTC, MA

Course Status

Open

Offshore Wind Blade Testing and Inspection Workshop




This workshop provides comprehensive training on the testing and inspection of offshore wind blades, covering essential topics such as certification processes, inspection methods, typical findings, and repair options. Led by industry experts, participants will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience to effectively evaluate the condition of wind turbine blades and ensure their safety and performance.


Wind Technology Testing Center


This workshop will be held in person at the Wind Technology Testing Center (WTTC) in Massachusetts. Registration costs do not cover travel or accommodation expenses.


Course Objectives:

- Understand the certification process and international standards for offshore wind blades.

- Learn various inspection methods, including contact and non-contact techniques.

- Identify typical findings during blade inspections, such as delamination, cracks, and manufacturing deviations.

- Explore repair options for addressing blade damage and defects.

- Gain practical insights into blade testing and inspection through interactive sessions and real-world case studies.


Who Should Attend:

This workshop is designed for professionals involved in the maintenance, inspection, and management of offshore wind turbines, including:

- Wind farm operators and maintenance personnel

- Inspectors and technicians responsible for blade inspections

- Engineers and project managers in the renewable energy sector

- Regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders seeking to enhance their understanding of offshore wind blade testing and inspection. What Attendees Think:


“The Offshore Wind Blade Testing and Inspection Workshop was very informative. Having the ability to see the scale and size of these blades in person allows one to put the inspecting process into perspective. Knowing what’s possible when it comes to inspecting blades will give one a better understanding of the decisions made during operations and management of wind turbines.”


- Baker P. Lead Engineer – Testing, GE Vernova


Course Outline:

Module 1: WTTC Overview and Tour 9:00 – 11:00

-          Roundtable Introductions and Icebreaker 20 minutes

-          WTTC Blade Testing Presentation 30 minutes

-          WTTC Tour 1 hour

-          Coffee/Snack Break 10 minutes

Module 2: Certification Process and Blade Testing environment 11:00-11:30

-          IEC 61400 and IECRE

-          IEC 61400 chapters -1,-5, -23

-          International blade testing environment

Module 3a: Blade Inspection Methods - Contact 11:30-12:15

-          Internal Visual

-          External Visual

-          Tap Testing

Lunch / Table Topics: 12:15-1:15

Lunch with rotating question prompts to guide and promote discussion across multiple offshore wind subjects.

Module 3b: Blade Inspection Methods – Non-contact 1:15-2:00

-          IR

-          Acoustic

-          Ultrasonic

Module 4: Typical Findings 1:30-3:15

-          Delamination

-          Paste Cracks (transverse, longitudinal)

-          Manufacturing deviations

-          Panel gaps

-          Paste thickness and paste gaps

-          Wrinkles

-          Shipping / Handling damage

-          Lightning

-          Bolt loosening / failure

-          Coffee Break

Module 5: Repair Options 3:15-4:00

-          Factory Repairs

-          Up-tower repairs

-          Blade removal

-          Typical Repairs




Course Instructor


George Blagdon

Engineering Director, WTTC


George is the Engineering Director at the Wind Technology Testing Center and has been active in wind turbine blade testing for over 12 years. Over this time, he has led the transition to testing ultra-long blades and will play a key role in the future plans of the facility. George leads a team of test engineers and takes a hands-on approach to engineering, never passing on an opportunity to climb in a blade. He acts as an expert technical assessor within the IECRE accreditation scheme, spending time in test facilities worldwide, and participates on the maintenance team for the IEC 61400-23 specification. Passionate about early STEM education, he has played a role in hosting hundreds of high school students for tours at the facility.

 

He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UMass Dartmouth and an M.B.A from UMass Boston. Outside of work, you can find him spending time with family, working on the house, or getting lost in mountain biking trails.




©2024  American Offshore Wind Academy

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