Hempel Launches Its First Leading Edge Protection Coating for Wind Blades
Hempel, coatings supplier to the wind energy industry, announced the launch of Hempablade Edge 171, a new coating for leading edge protection (LEP) on wind turbine rotor blades. According to Hempel, Hempablade Edge 171 has the highest rain erosion performance data on the market for a liquid LEP, some of the lowest dry film thicknesses, provides long-term protection against rain erosion, and reduces time and costs during application.
The leading edge of a wind turbine blade is exposed to extremely high airflow speeds, even exceeding 300 kmh. At these speeds, impact from rain can cause significant coating erosion or even composite damage. In severe cases, the erosion may lead to a loss of aerodynamic performance and a 2-3% drop in annual energy production. This loss of performance and need for maintenance makes leading edge erosion one of the wind industry’s most significant maintenance costs and performance challenges. In the European offshore wind energy sector alone, this equates to a loss in productivity of around €56-75 million a year.