Wind Turbine User Group 2023

One Birdcage Walk, London

17 May 2023 - 18 May 2023

Early Bird discount ends on 31 March 2023

Booking multiple tickets (group discounts available) or on behalf of someone else? Email us

Overview

Organised by engineers representing the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the second Wind Turbine User Group event offers attendees two days of technical content and knowledge sharing to support all engineers involved with wind turbine assets.

This event is part of a popular series of power industry user groups that enable those involved in the management, operation and maintenance of wind turbines to discuss common problems and issues. Join us to exchange ideas, identify potential solutions and learn about new developments at our technical conference offering peer reviewed and high level content.

Join us to hear directly from OEMs, service providers and end users of wind turbines about the latest technologies available. Learn from case studies that will address the challenges facing the delivery of wind turbine O&M services and opportunities for cost reduction and health and safety improvements.

Whether you are involved in the design, manufacture, operation, management and maintenance of wind turbines, this event will enable to stay up to date and benefit from the shared experience of your peers and industry leaders.

Attendee feedback from our previous wind power events:

"Industry leading technology shared and discussed in an open environment between experts in their respective fields."
Test & Validation Director, ORE Catapult

"I liked how much the event was focused on technical subjects and collaboration, unlike any other wind conferences I have attended in the past."
Service Engineer, Siemens Gamesa

"A good conference with the right presenters covering key topics to the right level of detail."
Senior Risk Consultant, Allianz

"I was very pleased to attend this event, and I think that I gained a lot of knowledge from other industry areas that I can apply in my own work."
Senior Engineer, Siemens Gamesa

"Very good event with informed speakers and well organised overall."
Senior Engineer, Xodus Group

"This event provided me with up-to-date information about the state-of-the-art in the RAS Offshore industry."
Research Associate, University of Edinburgh

"Excellent event with industry leaders spot on target with their presentations."
Business Development Manager, ULC Robotics

Organising Committee:

Renewable Power Committee, Power Industries Division, Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Member Credit:
Tony Quinn, Test & Validation Director, ORE Catapult

Early Bird discount ends on 31 March 2023

Booking multiple tickets (group discounts available) or on behalf of someone else? Email us

Support your career development

Attending this event supports your Professional Development; if you're an IMechE Member, this can be tracked in the Career Developer section of your online account.

Covid-19 guidance for attendees:

The Institution takes every endeavour to operate all our events as “COVID-safe” as possible. This includes additional preventative measures, such as cleaning rotas and air ventilation. For further information on our activities in this area, view our infection control solutions webpages.

Day 1

08:30 - Conference programme

	Wednesday, 17 May 2023
08:30	Registration and Refreshments
09:30	Chair’s Opening Remarks
09:40	Keynote Presentation Speaker to be confirmed
10:00	Question and Answer Session
10:05	Keynote Presentation: Focus areas of innovation to support future wind turbine projects Yannis Dragotis, Head of Renewable Energy Innovation, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero An introduction to the directorate of Science Innovation and Climate Energy Key focus areas for the Renewable Innovation team in 2023 Insight into the 11 projects from the Floating Offshore Wind Demo programme
10:25	Question and Answer Session
10:30	Case Study: A European approach to Wind Turbine Innovation Richard Copeland, Senior Director, Copenhagen Offshore Partners Site location – how to get it right Collaboration with partners to ensure success Preferred technologies
10:50	Question and Answer Session
10:55	Challenges and Constraints of Wind Turbines Ed Hall, Wind Energy Engineering Manager, RWE
11:15	Question and Answer Session
11:20	Networking Refreshment Break
	Composites innovation for the future Wind Industry
11:50	Composites in wind – Opportunities for Innovation for the Future of the Wind Industry Tom Andrews, Technology Project Lead, National Composites Centre Composite materials and their application are imperative for the continued advancements in the wind industry The National Composites Centre is leading several key research initiatives and developing cutting edge technology to meet the challenges of the industry This presentation will give an overview of the opportunities and challenges of composites in wind, including the innovations and advancements that are to be seen in next generation design and manufacture, alongside considerations for the end of life decommissioning and disposal of the blades
12:10	Question and Answer Session
12:15	An engineer's perspective on the role of composites in blade technology and developments Rosie King, Mechanical Engineer, EDF Energy
12:35	Question and Answer Session
12:40	Panel discussion: Integrating composites into challenging environments Challenges for composites in an offshore context The evolution of composite materials Can composites be green? Recyclability opportunities
13:00	Networking Lunch
	The evolution of inspection techniques and maintenance processes
14:00	The digitisation of asset management and what it means for Wind Turbines Robert Sills, Senior Mechanical Engineer, SSE Renewables
14:25	Question and Answer Session
14:20	Hybrid Digital Twin: An end-to-end demonstration Confirmed Representation from Ansys
14:40	Question and Answer Session
14:45	Current and Emerging Technologies for Wind Turbine Inspection Chris Cieslak, Chief Executive, BladeBUG Limited Overview of the current wind turbine blade methodologies for inspection and repairs Forecast growth of wind and the shortage of skilled personnel to perform vital maintenance tasks Overview of new and emerging robotic technologies to improve the current approach to provide to H&S improvements, reduced costs and increased repeatedly of tasks Overview of the BladeBUG robotic platform to provide remote detailed inspections
15:05	Question and Answer Session
15:10	Using Drone-based Inspection Imagery to Calculate Turbine-Specific Aerodynamic Performance Loss Nicholas Gaudern, Chief Technology Officer, PowerCurve Wind turbine blade surface degradation and contamination can have a significant impact on energy production The inspection of blades using drones is now commonplace but focuses on structural defects Using an aerodynamic digital twin of the turbine, the output from existing drone inspection methodologies can be used to calculate performance loss The resulting data can provide insight in to how to manage assets to maximise their energy production through blade maintenance and aerodynamic upgrade
15:30	Question and Answer Session
15:35	Networking Refreshment Break
	Data and Future Design Considerations for Next Generation Wind Turbines
16:05	Optimising the Next Generation of Wind Turbines with Bayesian Networks Ruth Augarde, Senior Engineer, Frazer-Nash Consultancy The conceptual design of next generation wind turbines presents several challenges due to uncertainty The optimisation of a new concept turbine can be treated as a complex probabilistic calculation A Bayesian Network for the problem was constructed culminating in the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE), with uncertain parameters and relationships accounting for opportunities and risks in R&D The results highlight which design areas drive uncertainty in performance and what set of parameters is most likely to meet LCOE targets
16:25	Question and Answer Session
16:30	Unified MODSIM (modelling and simulation) for Wind Turbines – streamlining the process Michael Clarke, Composites R&D Senior Manager, Dassault Systemès Optimisation requires holistic simulation including many domains: fluid flow, structural, mechanics, dynamics, aero and vibro-acoustic Each domain has specific modelling requirements for optimal performance conversion between models can be a significant effort and risk Workflows have been developed to enable MDAO of rotor blades which will be the focus of the presentation. These keep one master digital twin, allowing any changes to the design to be automatically carried through to all models
16:50	Question and Answer Session
16:55	Using Data to Develop Aero-elastic Models of Operational Wind Turbines George Elderfield, Reliability Engineer, Natural Power Wind turbine life extension will become increasingly in demand in the near future with existing approaches relying on generic reference models. A methodology has been developed to build and validate models of operational turbines based on data typically available to wind farm owners. These models are validated using on site load measurements of an operational turbine and then used for improved lifetime extension analysis
17:15	Question and Answer Session
17:20	Chair’s Closing Remarks
17:30	End of Day One and Evening Drinks Reception

Day 2

09:00 - Conference programme

	Thursday, 18 May 2023
09:00	Registration and Refreshments
09:30	Chair’s Opening Remarks
09:40	Keynotes Address: Delivering sustainable offshore wind programmes across the UK Patrick Harnett, Vice President of UK Programmes in EPC & Operations, Orsted Background to Hornsea 1 and Hornsea 2 Current challenges and how best to overcome them Future thinking for Hornsea 3 and beyond
10:00	Question and Answer Session
10:05	Floating Wind Offshore Turbines - Installation Engineering Alan Crowle, Research Associate, University of Exeter Floating wind turbines nearshore construction Requirements for installation vessels and onshore cranes for floating wind Technical advances for floating wind installation
10:25	Question and Answer Session
	Responding to failures and embedding prevention strategies
10:30	Case Study: Wind Turbine Failure David Dimelow, Senior Vice President, Thornton Tomasetti Endurance E3120 Wind Turbine failures Blades, rotor shaft and bedplate design issues Shock loading phenomena Braking system problems Redesign for reliability
10:50	Question and Answer Session
10:55	Failure Mechanisms of Wind Turbine Gearing in Transient Dynamics Hamza Mughal, Doctoral Researcher, Loughborough University Introduction to the wind turbine power transmission/gear systems and its various failure mechanisms. Review of recent advances in predictive computational tools for root cause analysis of such failures Presentation of the developed tribo-dynamic model which includes the integrated dynamics, tribology, and sub-surface failure model of gear contacts Discussion on the predicted gear contact response based on various operational scenarios and potential failures
11:15	Question and Answer Session
11:20	Networking Refreshment Break
	Hydrogen and Energy Storage
11:50	Dolphyn – The Emerging Commercial Case for Green Hydrogen from Offshore Wind Simon Gomm, Technical Director, Dolphyn ERM Green hydrogen from offshore wind Dolphyn design approach – not typical for electrical WTG Key insights and learnings from Dolphyn
12:10	Question and Answer Session
12:15	Storing hydrogen – the reality and the challenges Confirmed Representative from National Gas Transmission
12:35	Question and Answer Session
12:40	Wind Power with Supplementary Green Hydrogen Power Generation William Hancock, Independent Energy Consultant Stephen Hancock, Independent Energy Consultant Wind power produces a highly cyclical power supply which causes reliability problems (outages etc.) for the Electricity Supply Companies The paper describes an innovative Supplementary Electricity Supply facility that continuously matches supply and demand There is a compelling case to consider this innovation in countries that have committed to progressive increases in carbon taxes
13:00	Question and Answer Session
13:05	Case for Deep Water Offshore Wind Turbines Ian Crossley, Managing Director, Isopower Ltd Recap of the main reasons for energy storage and the special advantages of CAES for deep water sites CAES vessel design for seabed air storage and advantages of displacement mode operation Energy storage capacity, operating parameters, and round-trip efficiency Economic and other benefits arising from deep water CAES technology
13:25	Question and Answer Session
13:30	Networking Lunch
	Sustainability, Recyclability and Decommissioning
14:30	Sustainability of composites in Wind Turbines Malcolm Forsyth, Sustainability Manager, Composites UK Understanding sustainability in terms of composites, especially the end-of-life challenge Composites UK’s role in developing sustainable composite solutions Future plans for composite sustainability, especially for wind turbine blades & the renewable energy sector
14:50	Question and Answer Session
14:55	Recyclability of blades Speaker to be confirmed
15:15	Question and Answer Session
15:20	Decommissioning – expectations and reality checks Speaker to be confirmed The life expectancy of wind turbines Effective decommissioning approaches when needed Challenges around life-extension and the decommissioning of assets
15:40	Question and Answer Session
15:45	Chair’s Closing Remarks
16:00	End of Conference

Chris Cieslak: Chief Executive, BladeBUG Limited

Chris is a multi-disciplined Chartered Engineer with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sussex University and a master’s degree in Composite Materials from Imperial College London. He is a former wind turbine blade designer (Vestas) with over a decade of experience in the wind industry bringing new innovative designs from concept to manufacture. Chris set up BladeBUG Limited with the sole intention of taking his detailed knowledge of blades and using technology to improve how wind turbines perform throughout their life.

David Dimelow: Senior Vice President, Thornton Tomasetti

David Dimelow joined the Thornton Tomasetti’s Forensics practice in the UK in early 2022, bringing over 30 years of experience in engineering losses and investigations, including both leading and managing teams. His extensive experience includes investigating issues with gas/steam turbines, generators, transformers, motors, power generation, CHP equipment, Biomass, boilers, renewable energy (solar, hydro and wind turbines), gas powered diesel engines, printing presses, furnaces, process equipment, mobile and static cranes, mining and quarry equipment, rolling stock and locomotives, installed machinery and plant, etc. David also has experience in the installation and commissioning of gas turbine propulsion equipment and projects. He has undertaken numerous professional expert witness assignments and given evidence. David is also focusing on expanding the Forensic practice in the UK.

Tom Andrews: Technology Project Lead, National Composites Centre

Tom is a Technology Project Lead within the Energy business unit at the NCC, managing a range of research projects with a focus on the renewables and sustainability. A chartered mechanical engineer, prior to joining the NCC Tom worked in the construction and nuclear industries. Tom leads the SusWIND programme, delivered in partnership between the National Composites Centre and Offshore Renewable Catapult.

Nicholas Gaudern: Chief Technology Officer, PowerCurve ApS

Nicholas has been PowerCurve’s Chief Technology Officer since joining the company in 2019. Nicholas has worked in the wind industry for 13 years and has held a number of senior engineering positions. He is a blade aerodynamic specialist and has designed many blades, aerofoils, and aerodynamic upgrade products. At PowerCurve he is responsible for the technology roadmap. Nicholas holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pembroke College, University of Cambridge and is a Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Ruth Augarde: Senior Engineer, Frazer-Nash Consultancy

Ruth Augarde is a mechanical engineer within the Asset Integrity area at Frazer-Nash. She has worked on a range of structural analysis and modelling problems across the energy industry since joining Frazer-Nash in 2019. Ruth has a particular interest in combining mechanical and materials understanding with probabilistics and data analysis methods, to promote a better understanding of the uncertainties, risks, and opportunities inherent in engineering problems.

George Elderfield: Reliability Engineer, Natural Power

George Elderfield is a Reliability Engineer working for Natural Power. At Natural Power George carries out through life monitoring services for wind farm owners. He spent two years completing a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde to develop this through life management methodology. Prior to working as a KTP associate George was a PhD researcher at the Wind and Marine Energy System Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Strathclyde. He is currently writing up his thesis which investigated the load implications of low level jets on offshore wind turbines.

Hamza Mughal: Doctoral Researcher, Loughborough University

Hamza Mughal is a Doctoral Researcher at Loughborough University. His research focuses on the dynamic refinement of Electric Vehicle (EV) powertrains. He is a recipient of the IMechE 31st Mission of Tribology Research award for his publication on the development of an efficient tribo-dynamic analytical model to assess the root cause of gear whine in EV powertrains. He holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Loughborough University and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from University of Bahrain. Prior to his MSc, he has worked as a Maintenance and Reliability Engineer working on industrial rotating machinery.

Alan Crowle: Research Associate, Unversity of Exeter

Alan Crowle is a naval architect at the University of Exeter, where the research subject is the installation of floating offshore wind turbines. He has a BSc (1974) from University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and MSc (2019) from the University of Plymouth. He has over 52 years marine experience in design, construction and offshore installation. His experience includes steel jackets, semisubmersibles, FPSOs, modules, near-shore pipelines and LNG facilities. He has design experience in the installation of floating and bottom fixed offshore wind turbines and High Voltage Direct Current offshore platforms. He is a chartered engineer and chartered marine engineer.

Ian Crossley: Managing Director, Isopower Ltd

Born Edinburgh 1937
Ashford County Grammar School 1947-1956
Bsc Eng University College London 1960
Graduate apprenticeship Bristol Siddeley Engines 1960
Rocket research dept BSE to 1962.
Delaney Gallay to 1965. Design of compact heat exchangers and management of test laboratory
Steels Process Plants to 1967. Thermal and mechanical design of heat exchangers and vessels, including development of early computer programmes for design calculations
BOC R and D dept. to 1976. Management of numerous research projects on a wide variety of technologies thought to be of interest to BOC
Sulzer Bros UK Ltd. to 2002. Sales and project/contract manager for turbo compressor and reciprocating compressor projects

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