TidalHealth - Structural Health Monitoring and analysis of Full-Scale Tidal Turbine Blades

Project Description

Tidal energy could meet a significant portion of future electricity needs if challenges in device durability, environmental impact, and commercial viability are overcome. Advanced real-time damage sensing is essential to guarantee the long-term performance of tidal foils. The TidalHealth project will develop a real-time health monitoring system for a scaled helical tidal foil (6 meters) to ensure long-term efficiency, structural integrity, durability, and reliability. This system will incorporate optical fibre sensors, including Fibre Bragg grating strain and temperature sensors, through two different sensing systems embedded in an ORPC designed helical, tidal foil (and newly developed 3D-printed sensors). Additionally, a high-temperature mould will be designed and developed with sensors monitoring the temperature and cure process to manufacture the composite tidal foil with embedded health monitoring sensors. The TidalHealth consortium comprises of ÉireComposites leading the project and manufacturing process, the University of Galway (UGalway), and Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC). ORPC will incorporate in-house developed design tools to design the helical turbine foil. The innovative health monitoring system will be developed by UGalway, who will also conduct the structural testing of the foil. The project aims to improve tidal turbine efficiency through integrating insitu damage monitoring, aligning with Ireland's renewable energy goals.