Costs of repair of wind turbine blades: Influence of technology aspects

The influence of repair technology of wind turbine blades on the levelized costs of energy (LCOE) is analyzed. The contribution of minor and major failure to the operational expenditures (OPEX) of wind turbines is estimated. It is demonstrated that the minor failure, mainly, surface erosion, is the largest contributor to the unplanned repair, 12 times higher than structural failure. The shortening of material curing procedure can lead to the significant reduction of repair costs, and LCOE, and expand the so-called “repair window.” The analysis of the role of defects and voids in adhesives on the post-repair lifetime of wind turbine blades and energy costs is carried out. Using the continuum damage mechanics approach, it is demonstrated that the voids in adhesives drastically reduce the post-repair lifetime of wind turbine blades.