The AIRE Consortium met on June 17 for our 6th General Assembly, this time in a full-day online format. The assembly reviewed progress across all areas of the project. It’s been an eventful few months since our last gathering and our partners have been busy pushing forward on multiple fronts.
About AIRE
AIRE focuses on understanding how real atmospheric conditions affect wind turbines and wind farms. We’re collecting detailed weather data at eight research sites, developing numerical models to simulate wind farm performance under different conditions, and creating practical tools for the industry. The project addresses key challenges like blade erosion from rain and particles, energy production accuracy, and turbine wear. Our goal is to help the wind energy sector build more resilient turbines and optimize wind farm operations.
We’re midway through the project and our work packages have started to combine: atmospheric data is feeding our models, models are becoming industry tools, and tools are being tested on real wind farms.
Key updates from our partners
Measurement Campaigns Underway
At PLOCAN, field campaigns are officially underway, starting with a drone-based blade inspection. High-resolution imagery revealed significant corrosion on some components, leading to prompt replacements to maintain safety and performance.
Meanwhile, at Båtskär, a suite of instruments—including a disdrometer, weather station, and LiDAR system—was installed just two weeks ago. The first measurements are already being collected, and coordination is ongoing with Buseco to finalise the next LiDAR installation.
Modelling and Toolbox Development
Our modelling efforts are reaching their final stages, with recent simulations focusing on blade erosion damage. As these models are wrapped up, the spotlight shifts to Work Package 4 (WP4), where we’re developing tools for wind farm optimisation, control strategies, AEP prediction, and erosion-safe mode operation. Led by DTU, first draft versions of several tools are already in use.
Case Studies and Collaboration
To prepare for Work Package 5 (WP5), we’ve begun defining the main activities and distributing roles among project partners. These case studies will play a key role in validating the tools and models in real-world scenarios.
Advanced Airfoil Designs
In Work Package 6 (WP6), partners ENER, IWES, and DTU are pushing ahead with airfoil innovations. Each team is exploring different design strategies to boost blade efficiency and durability. Early test results are already showing promising improvements.
Progress is also being made in the evaluation of commercial Leading Edge Protection (LEP) solutions. Baseline rain erosion tests (RET) on eight coatings have been successfully completed, while accelerated weathering tests on ten additional coatings are ongoing. Outdoor weathering trials are also in progress, backed by continuous environmental monitoring to capture real-world exposure conditions.
Next steps
Several key activities are lined up across the project. Field campaigns will continue gathering data, with PLOCAN preparing for a final resin inspection campaign and Båtskär set to send updates monthly. Meanwhile, the agreement with Buseco will close and we will proceed to install the instruments and kick off Buseco’s measurement campaign.
In parallel, WP3 will focus on delivering an optimised blade erosion model, marking the closure of WP3.
A workshop with industry partners ENGIE and CAPITAL is scheduled for late June. They will test early versions of AIRE’s wind farm optimization, control, AEP prediction, and erosion-safe mode operation, providing essential feedback to ensure the tools are aligned with real-world needs. Over the summer, airfoil development will intensify as partners finalise and benchmark their 21% and 30% thickness designs. Combined rain erosion and weathering tests will begin on LEP samples. These results will inform predictive models for blade performance under harsh environmental conditions. All these efforts set the stage for a validation phase starting in April 2026—bringing the project one step closer to delivering more durable, erosion-resistant wind turbine blades.
For more details on our progress, read our latest newsletter.
Author: Laia Mencia
Editor: Lucía Salinas
July, 2025
