Wind Energy

Wind Energy From The Sky

Very strong and stiff central components are required for turbine blades.
They must withstand enormous stresses in severe conditions. There is a rapidly growing need for replacements of aging stock of existing blades.
Longer blades are needed to increase generating capacity.
Increasing % of carbon fiber composites enables this greater length.
Tailoring to meet the specific application requirements should extend product life.
Large demand: Nearly 350,000 wind turbines in the world and more than 1 million wind blades.
CrossLink's economics enable lower generating costs and wider use of wind turbines.

The Problem

Existing wind turbine blades have critical components made of expensive carbon fiber composites. The turbine blades are at operating limits now. Markets demand greater generating capacity, requiring longer blades. Carbon fiber, offering stiffness and resistance to material fatigue, is by far the material of choice even though economics are challenging.

The Solution

CrossLink works with leading companies to perfect carbon fiber composites tailored to withstand enormous stresses experienced by the blades. Tailoring plus better economics allow much longer turbine blades at reasonable cost. Improved economics also mean better performance at lower cost for replacement blades.

Case Study

Multiple wind energy companies faced business challenges to increase electrical generating capacity of their giant wind turbines. Longer blade length translates to much greater generating capacity. The engineering answer to the challenge of longer blades was to increase the carbon fiber composite content of turbine blades. Until now, the purchasing department's response was to reject the cost of using more carbon fiber per blade because of high carbon fiber prices. The companies are working with CrossLink to develop carbon fiber tailored to the specific needs of longer blades and incorporating CrossLink's optimal pricing. This improved the economics, making feasible blades that are as much as 3X longer. The same CrossLink product, used in replacing current blades, should extend their useful life while also improving economics of existing operations.

We collaborate with the world's leading companies to make a greener, safer world.

Applications

Automotive: Green

Wind Energy

Automotive: Light Weighting

Civil & Infrastructure

Company

CrossLink has been awarded multiple grants from the National Science Foundation