Dr Wei Tan presented his research on 'Mechanics-guided material design for leading-edge erosion' during the 5th International Symposium at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

Leading-edge erosion, caused by environmental factors such as rain, hail, and debris, poses a significant threat to the performance and reliability of wind turbine blades. Dr Tan discussed the recent development in the fundamental understanding of leading-edge erosion and some new insights for material development. This research was selected by the ERC Starting Grant panel and funded through the UKRI Frontier Research Grant.

Wind energy plays a crucial role in our journey towards achieving net-zero emissions, emphasising the importance of addressing key challenges like leading edge erosion in wind turbine blades. This erosion can significantly hamper the annual energy production of wind turbines. The symposium aims to explore strategies for predicting, controlling, and preventing leading-edge erosion, ensuring the reliability of wind energy generation.

The event attracted a diverse audience, including representatives from academia (including DTU, Queen Mary and the Delft University of Technology), industries (organisations represented included Ørsted, Vestas, ORE Catapult, PolyTech and Statkraft), and government entities such as the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult). These participants engaged in insightful discussions, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Dr Tan would like to thank Dr Leon Mishnaevsky Jr. and Prof Charlotte Bay Hasager for hosting this symposium.