Structural Fuse (Wind-15)

Business Need

Wind turbines are growing in size to match global energy demand. This makes pre-existing, smaller, foundations unsuitable for use, and results in the construction of large, costly, foundations for newer turbines. The introduction of a passive structural fuse at the foundation-tower interface could help to control and reduce the forces experienced by turbine foundations, simultaneously helping to reduce the size of new foundations and make old foundations usable again, thus helping to increase wind energy output.

Key partners

The solution

Strathclyde have performed a feasibility study to investigate the effectiveness of three structural fuses: an elastoplastic connection, a self-centring connection, and a visco-elastic damped connection. Advanced structural analyses were performed to carry out a comprehensive parametric study on each of these potential solutions, allowing the performance of each to be optimised under extreme loading scenarios. The key findings highlight the potential for the self-centring connection and visco-elastic  damper to perform well in reducing forces acting on turbine foundations, reducing their size and cost.

Next step

Design and further testing, through physical development and advanced structural modelling, of the two proposed solutions. Patenting of technology.

Business benefits

Research impact: 

Improving the ease, and reducing the cost, of building larger wind turbines allows wind energy output to be more readily increased and help in the race to meet net-zero. The project findings suggest that the application of a structural fuse could help save costs in the construction, operation, and maintenance of wind turbines in the future. The novelty of this research provides further potential benefits in terms of commercialisation.

Industry quotes

This was a great collaboration with The University of Strathclyde and SSE studying an alternative structural connection to the normal, and getting closer to a more sustainable and efficient foundation solution.

Dimitrios Sotiriou, Senior Project Engineer, Scottish Power

We had excellent engagement with The University of Strathclyde throughout this study. The results point to methods that dramatically reduce operational costs while improving safety and assuring asset integrity.

Dr Stuart Killbourn, Technology Engineer, SSE