D-String® enabling long-term performance with minimal repairs
Challenge
A 1.5 MW wind turbine with 37 m blades, commissioned in 2007, had developed multiple transverse cracks in the maximum chord region. These defects threatened blade longevity and risked the need for costly structural repairs. The operator wanted to stop crack propagation without undertaking major repairs and aimed to secure an additional 5–10 years of blade life.
Solution
Our team provided a technical opinion and installed D-String® on six affected blades to stabilise the structure and prevent further crack growth. This solution delivered the required reinforcement without the need for full structural repair.
Impact
The intervention reduced O&M costs and delivered an AEP increase of 255 MWh per turbine per year. The results indicate that extending blade lifetime by 5–10 years is achievable, with an ROI of 18 months.