On 26th February, Ikerlan hosted the transfer workshop of the MEEVCE project "Evolutionary methodology for the life extension of wind components", which was attended by several companies interested in the results of the research.
The conference, which was attended by 21 representatives from 12 entities in the wind energy value chain, began with a welcome from Marcos Suarez, from the basque Energy Cluster, and a brief introduction to the MEEVCE project by Mireia Olave, from Ikerlan.
Then, the technical partners of the project presented the main results obtained after two years of research in the framework of advanced models of the state and behaviour of wind components to predict the physical phenomena behind the degradation mechanisms. Markel Peñalba and Ander Zarketa, from Mondragon University, began with the results corresponding to the blade. They were followed by Mikel Escalero, from Ikerlan, with the gears and Arkaitz Lopez, from Bearinn, with the bearings. Finally, Denis Badiola, from Ceit, presented the conclusions they have reached regarding cracking in the main shaft of the turbine.
Subsequently, the partners demonstrated how (i) blade degradation influences the evolution of wear in the actuator/gearbox and (ii) blade degradation influences the evolution of the RCF failure mode in the pitch bearing.
Mireia Olave, as coordinator of the project, closed the session with the presentation of MEEVCE II, an Elkartek proposal that aims to give continuity to the research of the current project.
Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to share their interests and opinions on the different topics addressed. The companies participating in the conference were: Hine, Laulagun, Nabla Wind Hub, Virlab and Esteyco. The event was also attended by other entities such as the Basque Energy Agency, Tekniker and Tknika.
The event ended with a "coffee-networking", in which attendees took the opportunity to make personal contact with the speakers and to meet other professionals in the sector.
The MEEVCE project is funded by the Elkartek 2022 programme of the Basque Government's Department of Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment. The consortium is coordinated by Ikerlan and also involves Bearinn, Ceit and Mondragon Unibertsitatea, as well as the Basque Energy Cluster.