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New turbine research 'may cut cost of windfarms'

Windfarms could become cheaper to establish as a result of new research being conducted by University of Nottingham scientists, it has been reported.

The Airpower project is headed up by senior research fellow Dr Peter Schubel, who told the Nottingham Evening Post it is hoped reduced manufacturing costs could result in increased competitiveness of wind energy.

It is claimed that the research could result in eight per cent cost savings in the manufacturing of blades for large-scale wind turbines.

"Making offshore wind turbines a more cost viable and secure investment will increase demand and largely contribute to the government's renewable energies target," Dr Schubel told the paper.

Some £1.4 million has been allocated to the Airpower project, which uses aerospace and racing technology to develop "automated robotic technology" to manufacture the blades.

The news comes after energy generator Centrica has warned that increasing costs to create offshore wind farms are threatening the UK's chances of hitting its renewable energy targets.

According to the UK Wind Energy Database, there are 172 wind energy projects and 1988 turbines currently operational in the UK.

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