Authors: McGowan, J. G.; Hyers, R. W.; Sullivan, K. L.; Manwell, J. F.; Nair, S. V.; McNiff, B.; Syrett, B. C.

Source: Energy Materials: Materials Science and Engineering for Energy Systems, Volume 2, Number 1, March 2007 , pp. 41-64(24)

Publisher: Maney Publishing

Included in the following Connect Compilations:

• Volume 2, Number 1

Abstract:

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the state of knowledge of materials used in the major wind turbine components of both land based and offshore wind turbines. The paper is divided into the following seven major sections: utility scale wind turbine design overview; current state of wind turbine technology; review of degradation of materials used in wind turbines; a summary of materials degradation service experience; condition monitoring overview; review of materials based research and development for wind turbines; a summary of missing knowledge and future materials challenges. The review points out that the most important degradation mechanism is fatigue which limits the life, reliability and performance of current wind turbines. As even larger machines are built in the future, with pressures to cut weight and cost, continued materials research and development, as summarised in this paper, is warranted. This critical assessment and review of materials based degradation should be of interest to a wide range of technical energy specialists including those from manufacturers, research and development centres, end users (i.e. electric power generation companies) and financiers and insurers.

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Keywords: WIND TURBINE MATERIALS DEGRADATION; WIND TURBINE MATERIALS; WIND TURBINE SYSTEMS

Document Type: Review Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/174892407X223902

Publication date: 2007-03-01

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• From volume 5 onwards, Energy Materials is published as a virtual journal covering current research on materials for energy generation and storage drawn from the journals of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. The content reflects the broad range of materials contributions within this increasingly important sector and serves as a focus for the growing community with an interest in energy materials research and applications.
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