What are the key challenges in manufacturing wind turbines, and is the lifespan of wind turbines impacting the sustainable nature of wind farming?
Host
- Dr. Aidan Rhodes, Research Fellow and Briefing paper at Energy Futures Lab
Guest
- Cristina Fernández Alonso, a product service engineer – and Blade Project manager at GE Vernova
- Sara Jiménez Alfaro, an aeronautical Engineer and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford and Imperial College
Topics Discussed
- The ongoing construction and targets of the largest wind farm in the world.
- Challenges to the construction, operation and maintenance of wind turbines.
- Innovative research into the lifespan of these offshore giants.
- Wind power as a leading innovator in renewable energy.
Chapters & Timestamps
01:43 - Episode Introduction: Offshore Wind Farms
Host introduces the topic and guests.
02:06 - Guest Introductions: Cristina Fernandez & Jose Jimenez Alfaro
Backgrounds and roles in offshore wind energy.
03:01 - Cristina’s Career Journey
From Spain to Imperial College and her role at GE Vernova.
05:05 - Long-Term Wind Turbine Maintenance
Cristina discusses her passion for turbine maintenance and customer collaboration.
05:45 - Sara’s Research Journey
From aeronautical engineering to fracture mechanics in offshore wind.
07:04 - Fatigue and Corrosion in Wind Turbines
Sara explains his research on extending turbine lifespan.
08:11 - Overview of the Dogger Bank Project
Cristina describes the scale and significance of the world’s largest wind farm.
10:00 - Wind Turbine Efficiency and Capacity
Technical details on turbine design and energy output.
11:10 - Advances in Materials Science
Discussion on fracture mechanics and material properties.
12:24 - Collaboration on Dogger Bank Project
Multi-stakeholder coordination and logistics.
14:10 - Logistics and Transportation Challenges
Moving massive turbine components across Europe.
16:31 - Offshore Wind Challenges
Structural and environmental challenges in offshore installations.
Aidan’s Links - Aidan Rhodes Profile | Imperial College London
Aidan Rhodes | LinkedIn
Cristina’s links - Cristina Fernández Alonso | LinkedIn
Sara’s links - Sara Jiménez Alfaro | LinkedIn
Produced by Annemarie van Basten
Annemarie Van Basten | LinkedIn
Additional Links
The World’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm - Dogger Bank Wind Farm
GE Vernova | The energy to change the world
