Offshore Wind Energy Projected to Grow with Help from Composites

Researchers say the U.S. offshore wind industry sector could potentially meet 90% of the nation’s electricity demand by 2050, supported by 29 states that border water.

 Climate and renewable energy are priorities for the U.S. administration, as evidenced by its plans to develop large offshore wind farms to power millions of homes. The initiative also offers the added benefit of driving associated job creation within the wind energy segment.

Initiatives to increase production of offshore wind energy are likely to spur interest in expanding the use of composites materials and processes within the wind energy market. Composites are already widely accepted in wind energy market segments, with the global wind turbine composites market expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8 percent during the forecast period of 2019–2027, reaching $9,138.6 million by 2027.

 Technology advancements in composite wind blade production

As the world looks to wind power to increase energy generating capacity, technology advancements will be key to making large-scale adoption of wind energy feasible, more cost-effective and competitive against other traditional energy sources. A key driver of wind energy that technology will positively impact is building bigger, lighter, and stronger wind turbine blades that can better withstand the elements.

Wind blades represent one of the most viable product segments of composites applications, and using composites in the manufacture of these components will help stimulate wind energy production and sustainability. Some of the world’s largest wind turbine Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) rely on Composites One for distribution and supply chain expertise.

Composites One remains at the forefront of emerging wind energy composite materials, technology, and processes. We enable manufacturers to leverage all the benefits of composites in wind energy components, including blades, nacelles, and other components. When it comes to composites manufacturing processes, a popular processing method for wind turbine blades is the vacuum infusion process (VIP), which aids in the production of lighter and more cost-effective parts.

Aerovac Process Materials lends its expertise.

Aerovac Composite One supplies and manufactures process materials and services to wind manufacturers using composites solutions to manufacture offshore wind energy components. Providing experienced technical support, Aerovac and Composites One can assist with vacuum infusion and other processes used to optimize productivity in wind blade production, for the blades, which represent the largest material usage, as well as parts like nacelles and hubs.

There are many factors involved in setting up the vacuum infusion process (VIP) to optimize composites production for wind energy manufacturing. The best way to get started is to reach out to your technical representative at Composites One to help review factors like mold selection, laminate schedules, labor time and cost savings, and many others.

Learn more about Composites One’s expertise when it comes to selection of the right products and processes for the manufacture of wind energy components, plus get access to the technical support and local customer service to meet advanced manufacturing and production goals.