Tidal energy represents a strong potential: the geographical situation of France, but also of the United Kingdom, being favourable to the development of this renewable marine energy, the market should benefit from a strong development in the coming years.

 

To produce several thousand 8 m long composite turbine blades, a consortium of regional SMEs has been formed to develop an automated manufacturing process. The series production of low-cost, high-volume hydro turbine blades should make it possible to meet the needs of the marine renewable energy market.

 

This project aims to develop a series of manufacturing, automated, low cost and large volume tidal blades. In order to have the closest possible future industrial data applications, specifications have been forwarded by a key player in the sector. This project brings together a set of regional SMEs.

 

RESULTS 

 

Hobit was led by a consortium of companies grouped within the GIE Albatros, which includes SMEs that are members of IRT Jules Verne. Together with the IRT teams, they took up the challenge of developing a new RTM composite process for the manufacturing of a large, thick and one-shot part while keeping costs under control.

 

A prototype scale 1 of 2.2 tonnes, 7 m high and 2.5 m wide was produced. It validated the process that eliminates the assembly and gluing steps for the manufacturing of the part and allows the co-moulding of metal inserts (flanges). It should allow the low cost series production of blades of up to 1,000 parts a year to meet the needs of the renewable marine energy market.