Blades USA 2024 Agenda:

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.

PRE-EVENT RECEPTION DRINKS

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 18
5:30PM-7PM

Join us on Sunday 18th 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 2024. 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 2024

Day 1

24th of February 2025

09:00 - 09:10

Chair’s opening remarks

A warm welcome to all delegates followed by a thematic overview of the day.

FUTURE BLADES

09:10 - 09:40

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

09:40 - 10:25

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.

Morning Break

10:25 - 10:55

INSPECTIONS

10:55 - 12:15

CASE STUDY: Condition monitoring systems and data driven solutions to reduce downtimes

Q&A

12:15 - 13:00

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

MAINTENANCE and REPAIR SOLUTIONS

Lunch

13:00 - 14:30

14:30 - 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

CASE STUDY: Lightning protection and damage mitigation (Sponsor TBC)

  • Lightning protection systems for bigger wind turbine blades - offshore vs onshore 
  • The effects of lightning strikes on blade integrity 
  • Repair methods for lightning damage 

Q&A

Afternoon Break

15:30 - 16:00

16:00 - 17:00

ROUNDTABLE 1 (TBC)

Drone inspections

ROUNDTABLE 2 (TBC)

Future issues: Will bigger blades create problems elsewhere in a turbine?

ROUNDTABLE 3 (TBC)

Contracts and contractual language / Working with insurers: tips and strategies

17:00 - 17:05

Chair’s closing remarks

17:05

Cocktail / Drink reception

Day 2

25th of June

09:00 - 09:05

Chair’s opening remarks

GETTING MORE FROM YOUR DATA

09:05 - 09:45

PANEL DISCUSSION: Standardizing blade maintenance for better efficiency

  • 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 inspection techniques

  • 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 

Q&A

BLADE PROTECTION, INSPECTION, AND REPAIRS

Morning Break

10:25 - 11:00

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: Organizing efficient wind blade repairs (Sponsor TBC)

  • What are the newest strategies for efficient blade repairs? 
  • How to implement industry best practices for high-quality repairs. 
  • Which technology advancements can enhance wind blade maintenance?
Q&A

11:40 - 12:00

CASE STUDY: Icing and deicing technologies (Sponsor TB)

  • What deicing technologies and solutions are available? 
  • What strategies are most effective for preventing ice-accumulation on turbine blades? 

Q&A

Lunch

12:00 - 14:00

14:00 - 15:00

ROUNDTABLE 1 (TBC)

The availability and sourcing of blades

ROUNDTABLE 2 (TBC)

Cost management in blade maintenance and repair

ROUNDTABLE 3 (TBC)

SMS for Blades: Understanding usage, successes, and challenges in application

15:00 - 15:05

Chair and Editor’s closing remarks

Close of conference / Day 2

15:05

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