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Agenda 2025 - Day One
29 April 2025
09:00 - 09:10
Chair’s opening remarks
A warm welcome to all delegates followed by a thematic overview of...
A warm welcome to all delegates followed by a thematic overview of the day.
FUTURE BLADES
09:10 - 09:40
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Unlocking the potential of onshore wind in the UK: challenges and opportunities
How will the UK harness its onshore wind potential - now that...
- How will the UK harness its onshore wind potential - now that planning constraints have been loosened in England - to help meet net zero targets?
- How is the UK government working with the offshore wind industry to drive investment into new projects?
- What does the offshore industry want from ‘allocation round seven?’
- Exploring Scotland's offshore wind sector potential
MAINTENANCE
09:40 - 10:00
PRESENTATION: Ensuring wind turbine efficiency in extreme weather conditions
Challenges for offshore blades: anticipating the impact of climate change on wind...
- Challenges for offshore blades: anticipating the impact of climate change on wind patterns and the increased potential for severe damage
- Advanced repair techniques and technologies for enhancing turbine resilience and reducing downtime
- How can data be effectively gathered when weather impacts the ability to use drones?
10:00 - 11:00
PANEL: Strategies and best practice for reliable blade performance
Overcoming the challenges of assessing internal damage in larger blades Data capture...
- Overcoming the challenges of assessing internal damage in larger blades
- Data capture and accuracy
- Which new technologies can address the emerging challenges?
- The role of robotics and sensors for optimising internal inspections
Morning Break
11:00 - 11:20
MAINTENANCE
11:20 - 11:40
CASE STUDY: Data driven solutions to reduce downtime
How can real-time monitoring systems improve turbine performance and support predictive maintenance?...
- How can real-time monitoring systems improve turbine performance and support predictive maintenance?
- What role can predictive analytics play in analysing historical and real-time data to predict blade failures?
- How can machine learning optimise maintenance schedules for wind turbines?
11:40 - 12:40
PANEL DISCUSSION: Maximising longevity in an era of bigger blades and growing complexity
What are the biggest concerns around upscaling turbine technology? Growth vs reliability...
- What are the biggest concerns around upscaling turbine technology? Growth vs reliability
- Design approaches to increase blade durability
- Which financial tools and insurance options can offset costs and mitigate risk?
- How can risks be managed using advanced inspections and pre-installation damage checks?
- R&D: Advances in materials and manufacturing techniques
INSPECTION and MAINTENANCE
Lunch
12:40 - 14:10
14:10 - 14:30
CASE STUDY: Robotics for wind blade maintenance and repair: innovations and applications
What are the latest advances in robotic technology for blade maintenance and...
- What are the latest advances in robotic technology for blade maintenance and repair?
- How can robotics technology be integrated with existing maintenance practices for optimal results?
- Best Practice
14:30 - 15:30
SPOTLIGHT PANEL: Incorporating advanced inspection and maintenance techniques
Identifying and mitigating structural damage before installation Best practice and frequency for...
- Identifying and mitigating structural damage before installation
- Best practice and frequency for inspections.
- How can technology enhance the inspection process and provide better diagnostics?
- Scheduled maintenance - from minor repairs to major overhauls. Best strategies and practice
- Specifics of offshore blades M&O
Afternoon Break
15:30 - 16:00
16:00 - 17:00
ROUNDTABLE 1:
Devising a strategy for addressing the skilled-workforce shortage (TBC)
ROUNDTABLE 2
Future issues: Will bigger blades create problems elsewhere in a turbine? (TBC)
ROUNDTABLE 3:
Contracts and contractual language / Working with insurers: tips and strategies (TBC)
Chair’s closing remarks
17:00 - 17:05
Cocktail / Drink reception
17:05
Agenda 2025 - Day Two
30th of April
Chair’s opening remarks
09:00 - 09:10
THE FUTURE OF O&M
09:10 - 09:30
KEYNOTE: Tackling blades’ sustainability problem
What are the current methods and technologies used in bale recycling? Emerging...
- What are the current methods and technologies used in bale recycling?
- Emerging technologies to advance bale recycling and improving efficiency and sustainability
09:30 - 09:50
KEYNOTE: Future O&M innovation technologies
How can innovations that reduce costs and maximise efficiency and safety shape...
How can innovations that reduce costs and maximise efficiency and safety shape the future of offshore wind O&M?
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
09:50 - 10:50
PANEL DISCUSSION: Standardising blade maintenance for increased efficiency
Collecting data from different sources: How to address differences in format or...
- Collecting data from different sources: How to address 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 identify damage and improve diagnosis?
Morning Break
10:50 - 11:30
11:30 - 11:50
CASE STUDY: Exploring leading edge erosion repair solutions: innovations and strategies
Improving maintenance efficiency: automated systems enhance maintenance efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve...
Improving maintenance efficiency: automated systems enhance maintenance efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve overall blade longevity
11:50 - 12:10
CASE STUDY: Lightning protection and damage mitigation
Lightning protection systems for bigger wind turbine blades - offshore vs onshore...
- Lightning protection systems for bigger wind turbine blades - offshore vs onshore
- The effects of lightning strikes on blade integrity
- Repair methods for lightning damage
- Solutions to reduce downtimes
12:10 - 12:30
CASE STUDY: Deicing blades
What deicing technologies and solutions are available? What strategies are most effective...
- What deicing technologies and solutions are available?
- What strategies are most effective for preventing ice-accumulation on turbine blades?
Lunch
12:30 - 13:40
13:40 - 14:00
CASE STUDY: Organising efficient wind blade repairs
What are the newest strategies for efficient blade repairs? How to implement...
- 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?
- How best to address an emerging issue of longer downtime as well as longer waiting time due to spare parts shortage?
14:00 - 15:00
DISCUSSION PANEL: Internal vs external repairs
How do repair strategies differ between internal and external wind blade issues?...
- How do repair strategies differ between internal and external wind blade issues?
- What are the different approaches and technologies for addressing internal versus external damage in wind turbine blades?