DSM, 3B, Siemens Wind Power and DTU Wind Energy

Battice, Belgium, 11 March 2014

Co-creation in Wind works! DSM, 3B – the fiberglass company, Siemens Wind Power and DTU Wind Energy propose a new-to-the-world composite system for making wind turbine blades, featuring easy blade manufacturing, low weight, high stiffness, and excellent resistance to fatigue. This material system is being evaluated by Siemens Wind Power for its next generation wind turbine blades. The revolutionary system received the 2014 Innovation Award from JEC in the Sustainability category. 

The novel composite system is based on DSM’s Beyone™ 201-A-01, a resin that is styrene-free, cobalt-free (based on BluCure™ Technology), and 40 % bio based. The use of this resin brings faster resin infusion and requires only limited post-cure. The system also incorporates 3B’s novel SE3030 glass rovings. Through an optimized sizing applied on the glass filaments an excellent fibre/ resin interaction is obtained, resulting in improved composite properties for a long-lasting blade operation. 

For Siemens the new composite system provides many benefits, including a major reduction in blade manufacturing cost and an increased process output,” explains Karsten Schibsbye, Manager Next Generation Blade Project, Siemens Wind Power. 

Peace-of-mind is what the new system brings to energy providers,” adds Povl Brøndsted of DTU Wind Energy, “as the resilient material system allows making top performing blades that enable wind turbines turning in sustainable energy day after day.” 

The parties were able to demonstrate that through co-creation a complex technology can be evaluated at record speed and prepared for live application in line with market requirements,” mentions Onur Tokgoz, Wind Energy Global Business Leader at 3B – the fibreglass company. “This is truly an innovative approach for improving both end-use performance and sustainability.” 

“The JEC show in Paris is at the pulse of the Global Composites industry”, comments Fons Harbers, Commercial Director EMEAI DSM Composite Resins. “We are delighted that the new composite system has received such an important award and got the industry recognition it deserves”.