According to the 2021 State of Climate Action Report, authored by climate analysis coalition Climate Action Tracker (CAT), in order to meet the Paris Agreement’s net-zero by 2050 target, the share of wind and solar energy in electricity generation needs to increase from 7.03% (based on 2018 figures) to 37-72% by 2030. By 2050, the share needs to rise further to 80-82%. This means that by 2050, wind and solar electricity generation needs to increase by between 72.97-74.7%. In order to support this seismic growth, leading edge repair and protection systems play a critical role in extending the lifespan of wind turbine blades and, therefore, supporting a net-zero future for the planet.
Leading edge damage is recognized as the single largest maintenance problem within the wind power industry. Evidence suggests that damage to the leading edge can lower the AEP (Annual Energy Production) of a wind turbine, with energy losses estimated at between 4% and 20% if the erosion damage is severe. A turbine blade coating provides a quick and straightforward means of protecting leading edges in situ.