EDF Renewable Services & 3M Collaborates to Install 3M Wind Vortex Generators

EDF Renewable Services announced that it has signed a collaboration agreement with 3M to install 3M Wind Vortex Generators on wind turbines across the U.S. The collaboration will leverage the materials expertise of 3M with the highly-skilled installation and wind turbine blade repair teams from EDF Renewable Services to provide wind plant owners with turnkey solutions to increase efficiency and maximize annual energy production (AEP).

3M wind vortex generators are small attachments made from durable materials that energize a flow around the blade and reduce flow separation. Due to the unique shape and properties of every wind turbine blade, the positioning of wind vortex generators is customized for each blade design. Vortex generators are applied using 3M Acrylic Foam Tape, which accommodates the flexing and residual forces acting on the blade surface while still providing high adhesive strength in challenging weather conditions.

EDF Renewable Services Executive VP, Larry Barr said that with 30 years of experience and 10 GW of renewable projects under contract, EDF RS is a leading independent service provider and they are pleased to be in collaboration with 3M to deploy the wind vortex generator technology. Entering into this agreement with a leading manufacturer of wind vortex generators, adhesives and blade coatings, collectively provides the best-in-class blade repair and blade enhancement services in the market.

Relying on the joint competencies of 3M and EDF Renewable Services, the 3M wind vortex generator collaboration will provide owners with an economically viable upgrade opportunity that can increase AEP by 2-3 percent, stabilize aerodynamics balance load effects and reduce noise due to reduced stall. As a result of the attachment and its many benefits, a wind vortex generator installation can pay for itself in approximately 1-2 years.

Image: 3M Wind Vortex Generators (Source: Business Wire)