Ilika, Chinese co use solid state batteries for wind blade condition monitoring

UK materials development company Ilika Plc (LON:IKA) earlier this week announced a project in China for the use of solid state battery-powered devices for the condition monitoring of wind turbines.

The company will work together with turbine maker Titan Wind Energy on the two-year, GBP-1-million (USD 1.3m/EUR 1.1m) project. Chester University and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) will also be involved.

The goal is to develop an integrated smart sensor sourcing power from a combined vibration harvester and a StereaxÒ battery, to be incorporated into the composite structure of turbine blades. The smart composite is to perform autonomous structural condition monitoring of the blades in order to detect early signs of damage and allow operators to better predict maintenance needs. It will also help prevent icing.

The project has received GBP 0.4 million in funding from Innovate UK and it is to receive a similar amount from Jiangsu Province in China.

“This partnership is expected to bring about a step change reduction in the operating costs of wind turbines, which is of paramount importance in sustaining the economic viability of wind energy,” said Ilika head Graeme Purdy. He noted that in China demand for industrial applications for Internet of Things (IoT) solutions is surpassing consumer IoT.

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