Composite Wind Blade Development, Testing, & R&D at the University of Maine

 

Dr. Robert Lindyberg, P.E.

Assistant Director for Boatbuilding and Marine Composites

The AEWC Center at the University of Maine

(207) 581-1465

rlindy@maine.edu

 

Summary:

Over the past two years, the AEWC Center at the University of Maine has undertaken a new R&D initiative focused on the development and testing of new composite wind blade technology.  Ultimately, this initiative will lead to the growth of Maine’s Composite Materials Technology (CMT) sector, and the creation of new composites jobs.   Supported by the North Star Alliance Initiative (NSAI) R&D Pillar, the objectives of this initiative are:

1.      Improve performance and durability of composite wind blades and nacelles.

2.      Reduce blade costs through the development of improved manufacturing technology.

3.      Create jobs in Maine’s CMT sector by creating opportunities for existing Maine composites companies to manufacture wind energy components, and by attracting new manufacturers to Maine.

Progress to date on this initiative includes the following: (1) The AEWC Center has partnered with and is supporting the efforts of a new company – US Windblades – who are developing new composite manufacturing technology for replacement (7.9 meter) windblades.  Located in Bath, US Windblades recently received an MTI Development Award, and will be testing their new windblades at the AEWC Center in early/mid 2008.  (2) The AEWC Center is currently performing contract testing and development of composite components for windpower companies outside of the state of Maine, and (3) The AEWC Center is working to attract Vestas (www.vestas.com), the world’s leading supplier of windpower solutions, to establish an R&D facility in Maine (see attached article).

 

Conclusions/Recommended Public Policy:

1.      Research efforts between the University of Maine and Maine composites companies have found that Maine could be a world-leader in the research, development, and manufacture of composite windpower components.

2.      The Governor, legislature, and industry should strongly voice their support for windpower research initiatives, including the initiative to grow Maine’s composites industry through the development of new composite windpower components. 

3.      Maine state government and local governments should develop policy that will provide incentives for existing composites companies to expand to manufacture new windpower components.

4.      Maine state government and local governments should develop policy that will provide incentives to attract new windpower technology manufacturers to Maine.