Offshore Wind Blade Testing and Inspection Workshop

This workshop provides comprehensive training on the testing and inspection of offshore wind blades, covering essential topics such as certification processes, inspection methods, typical findings, and repair options. Led by industry experts, participants will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience to effectively evaluate the condition of wind turbine blades and ensure their safety and performance.

Wind Technology Testing Center

This workshop will be held in person at the Wind Technology Testing Center (WTTC) in Massachusetts. Registration costs do not cover travel or accommodation expenses.

Course Objectives:

- Understand the certification process and international standards for offshore wind blades.

- Learn various inspection methods, including contact and non-contact techniques.

- Identify typical findings during blade inspections, such as delamination, cracks, and manufacturing deviations.

- Explore repair options for addressing blade damage and defects.

- Gain practical insights into blade testing and inspection through interactive sessions and real-world case studies.

Who Should Attend:

This workshop is designed for professionals involved in the maintenance, inspection, and management of offshore wind turbines, including:

- Wind farm operators and maintenance personnel

- Inspectors and technicians responsible for blade inspections

- Engineers and project managers in the renewable energy sector

- Regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders seeking to enhance their understanding of offshore wind blade testing and inspection. Course Outline:

Module 1: WTTC Overview and Tour 9:00 – 11:00

-          Roundtable Introductions and Icebreaker 20 minutes

-          WTTC Blade Testing Presentation 30 minutes

-          WTTC Tour 1 hour

-          Coffee/Snack Break 10 minutes

Module 2: Certification Process and Blade Testing environment 11:00-11:30

-          IEC 61400 and IECRE

-          IEC 61400 chapters -1,-5, -23

-          International blade testing environment

Module 3a: Blade Inspection Methods - Contact 11:30-12:15

-          Internal Visual

-          External Visual

-          Tap Testing

Lunch / Table Topics: 12:15-1:15

Lunch with rotating question prompts to guide and promote discussion across multiple offshore wind subjects.

Module 3b: Blade Inspection Methods – Non-contact 1:15-2:00

-          IR

-          Acoustic

-          Ultrasonic

Module 4: Typical Findings 1:30-3:15

-          Delamination

-          Paste Cracks (transverse, longitudinal)

-          Manufacturing deviations

-          Panel gaps

-          Paste thickness and paste gaps

-          Wrinkles

-          Shipping / Handling damage

-          Lightning

-          Bolt loosening / failure

-          Coffee Break

Module 5: Repair Options 3:15-4:00

-          Factory Repairs

-          Up-tower repairs

-          Blade removal

-          Typical Repairs

Course Instructor

George Blagdon

Engineering Director, WTTC

George is the Engineering Director at the Wind Technology Testing Center and has been active in wind turbine blade testing for over 12 years. Over this time, he has led the transition to testing ultra-long blades and will play a key role in the future plans of the facility. George leads a team of test engineers and takes a hands-on approach to engineering, never passing on an opportunity to climb in a blade. He acts as an expert technical assessor within the IECRE accreditation scheme, spending time in test facilities worldwide, and participates on the maintenance team for the IEC 61400-23 specification. Passionate about early STEM education, he has played a role in hosting hundreds of high school students for tours at the facility.

He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UMass Dartmouth and an M.B.A from UMass Boston. Outside of work, you can find him spending time with family, working on the house, or getting lost in mountain biking trails.