EUDP18-II WindWeld

The goal of the WindWeld project is to demonstrate that fatigue life of towers and monopiles used in offshore wind energy can be improved, and considerable savings in the amount of steel can be obtained, if welds are smoothened. To demonstrate this, an automated device that can smoothen welds of large circular steel structures is developed and demonstrated. To reach the point where “smoothening of welds” is an approved technique in the Danish wind energy supply chain, substantial documentation for the improved fatigue lifetime must be provided to certifying bodies. Therefore, the WindWeld project contains a fatigue testing campaign of welds treated with the smoothing device and workshops with certifying bodies in order to ensure the quality and validity of the performed test results.

It is believed that substantial economic benefit will be gained by the entire supply chain, if the smoothing technique is introduced in coordination by the partners of the WindWeld project; and that it will secure a continues production of towers and monopiles in Europe.