This year's event promises an exceptional lineup of industry thought leaders and technical experts who will share their insights and experiences. By attending, you will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the wind power sector, as well as the tools and strategies needed to overcome them. Join us to discover the latest breakthroughs in blade design, learn about emerging technologies, and explore the possibilities that lie ahead.
Sunday 23 February 2025
17:30 - 19:00
PRE-EVENT RECEPTION DRINKS
Conference venue AT&T taking place in the Amphitheater Patio.
Join us on Sunday 23 February for a pre-event drinks reception, setting the stage for an inspiring 2 day conference. Unwind and connect with fellow industry enthusiasts in a relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by the anticipation of Blades USA 2025. Sip on refreshing beverages and engage in conversations that will pave the way for meaningful connections. Let the networking begin as we kick off the event on a social note, creating a foundation for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Cheers to a memorable start to Blades USA 2025!
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Monday 24 February 2025
09:00 - 09:10
Chair’s opening remarks
A warm welcome to all delegates followed by an overview of what's to come.
FUTURE BLADES
09:10 - 09:30
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION US wind energy in coming years challenges and opportunities
- How will US wind energy develop its offshore potential?
- Offshore wind - global lessons learned
- How a focus shift from bigger turbines to optimization and standardization will impact M&O?
- Wind turbine blade-maintenance challenges unique to US weather and ways to mitigate them
09:30 - 10:10
PANEL DISCUSSION AND AUDIENCE FORUM: Maximizing longevity in an era of bigger blades and growing complexity
- What are the biggest concerns around upscaling turbine technology while maintaining due diligence and quality assurance?
- Which financial tools and insurance options can offset costs and mitigate the risk of blade failures?
- How can risks be managed using advanced inspections and pre-installation damage checks?
- Collaborative efforts to investigate and mitigate risks of new technologies
Panel Discussion and Audience Forum with Coffee Break
Join us for a dynamic session, starting with our panelists on stage and followed by a question and answer session with the audience. Engage with experts, ask questions, and share your insights. The discussion will include a coffee break for informal networking and conversation.
10:10 - 10:50 | Morning Break
INSPECTIONS
10:50 - 11:10
PRESENTATION: Condition monitoring systems and data driven solutions to reduce downtimes
Topic: Maintaining wind’s profitability in the era of ultra-large composite blades
Over the past three decades, rotor diameters have increased more than 7X in an effort to increase generation capacity and lower LCOE. However, the blade manufacturing process has remained virtually unchanged during that same timeframe. These longer, heavier blades have resulted in higher operational and maintenance costs, especially when considering unplanned repairs. There has also been an increase in blade failure rates worldwide.
By tracking the shifts in the lower frequency spectrum, accelerometer-based conditioning monitoring systems (CMS) can detect critical structural defects and deterioration earlier and more accurately than systems utilizing other technologies.
This presentation will inform owners and operators how to:
- Understand the main drivers behind the increasing maintenance cost of wind turbines
- Identify the benefits and drawbacks of different Blade CMS technologies
- Make data-driven decisions regarding the usage of Blade CMS in their own renewable portfolio
11:10 - 11:50
PANEL DISCUSSION: Internal inspections: Optimizing strategies for blade performance and maintenance
- Overcoming the challenges of assessing internal damage in larger blades.
- What technology can address emerging challenges?
- Data capture and accuracy. The role of robotics
Q&A
11:50 - 12:10
CASE STUDY: Icing and De-icing Technologies
Impact of icing on blade performance and structural integrity
De-icing technologies and solutions (e.g. heated blades, anti-icing coatings)
Coating applications for turbine blades protection
MAINTENANCE and REPAIR SOLUTIONS
12:10 - 13:30 | Lunch
13:30 - 13:40
PRESENTATION: Optimizing Wind Blade Maintenance: Using a Comprehensive Risk Model for Quantitative Decision Making
- Importance for owner/operators to have a standardized approach to assess blade damages
- Overview of the wind blade risk model, which provides a consistent and quantitative analysis
- Benefits and use cases of this model in Operations & Maintenance activities & cost management
13:40 - 15:10
INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT SESSION: Technological innovations in blade maintenance and repair (Sponsors TBC)
Exploring new advancements and the integration of AI and machine learning in turbine blade maintenance. Discussion on the future outlook of blade repair and maintenance, including the latest in how to balance quality and cost-effectiveness. Highlighting best practice with case studies, as well as strategies for managing maintenance costs through collaborative research and financial planning.
Q&A
15:10 - 15:30
PRESENTATION: The future of wind energy lies in efficient maintenance
15:30 - 16:00 | Afternoon Break
16:00 - 17:00
ROUNDTABLE 1
Drone inspections - best practices.
ROUNDTABLE 2
Workforce development and compliance: Turnkey solutions to ensure training compliance in the workforce, recruitment, training, retention.
ROUNDTABLE 3
Contracts and contractual language / working with insurers: tips and strategies
17:00 - 17:05
Chair’s closing remarks
Tuesday 25 February 2025
09:00 - 09:05
Chair’s opening remarks
A warm welcome to all delegates followed by an overview of Day 2.
GETTING MORE FROM YOUR DATA
09:05 - 09:45
PANEL DISCUSSION: Standardizing blade maintenance for better efficiency and reliability
- Colliding data from different sources: How to address the issue of differences in format or terminology from multiple providers?
- Solutions for addressing common defects and catastrophic blade failures as well as handling defective blades
- How a collaborative approach between producers, R&D, and operators can help mitigate blade damage.
- How can AI models accurately identify damage and improve diagnosis?
Q&A
09:45 - 10:25
PANEL: Incorporating advanced practices and techniques for inspection, maintenance and repair
- Identifying and mitigating structural damage before installation
- Scheduled maintenance - from minor repairs to major overhauls
- How technology can enhancing the inspection process and provide more precise diagnostics
- Implementation of condition monitoring systems for more efficient inspections and maintenance
- Development of innovative lightning protection systems to ensure the durability and safety of blades
Q&A
BLADE PROTECTION, INSPECTION, AND REPAIRS
10:25 - 11:00 | Morning Break
11:00 - 11:20
CASE STUDY: Exploring leading edge erosion repair solutions: innovations and strategies
- Improving maintenance efficiency: automated systems enhance maintenance efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve overall blade longevity
Q&A
11:20 - 11:40
PRESENTATION: Pioneering Robotic Technologies for Comprehensive Wind Turbine Blade Maintenance and Repair
Wind turbine maintenance is evolving rapidly, driven by the need for more efficient, safe, and effective solutions. Skyraptor is leading this transformation with its state-of-the-art robotic technologies tailored for up-tower applications. Their robots are designed to handle complex repairs and inspections, from leading edge restoration to full blade repairs utilizing vacuum infusion technology and advanced ultraviolet curing prepreg. Additionally, their robotic ultrasound inspection systems offer unparalleled precision in assessing blade integrity. By integrating these innovations, they are setting new standards in wind turbine blade maintenance, ensuring longevity, reliability, and reduced operational costs for wind farm operators.
11:40 - 12:00
CASE STUDY: Lightning protection and damage mitigation
- Lightning protection systems for bigger wind turbine blades - offshore vs onshore
- The effects of lightning strikes on blade integrity
- Repair methods for lightning damage
12:00 - 12:40
DISCUSSION PANEL: Practical Realities of Wind Turbine Blade End of Life Management
This session will explore the progress and current practical realities of wind turbine blade end of life (EOL) management through discussion of progress made in the past 5 years, the realities of managing EOL wind turbine blades today, what progressions are needed to continue to move the industry forward, and potential solutions to remove existing barriers.
Q&A
12:40 - 14:00 | Lunch
14:00 - 15:00
ROUNDTABLE 1
The availability and sourcing of blades.
ROUNDTABLE 2
Cost management in blade maintenance and repair.
ROUNDTABLE 3
CMS for Blades: Understanding usage, successes, and challenges in application.
15:00 - 15:05
Chair and Editor’s closing remarks