RWE significantly increases investments in the energy transition: €55 billion worldwide for green technologies in the years 2024 to 2030
01.12.2023
The ecological part of the research started in September 2021 with a baseline measurement. Researchers from two independent research bureaus checked how many birds flew into fourteen wind turbines each week. RWE’s wind farm in Eemshaven lends itself well to this research, due to the high number of birds in this area. It is a crossing point for migratory birds in spring and autumn, and the area has a wide range of bird species. Seabirds such as gulls and terns fly here, as well as land birds such as blackbirds and starlings, and birds of prey such as buzzards and kestrels. An important question in this research is therefore the efficacy of the black painted blades for different types of birds.
Technical effect of black paint on wind turbine blades
The painting of the blades started in August and was regularly halted due to weather conditions. Painting the blades is an intensive and time-consuming process. First, the turbine has to be shut down, the suspension bridge installation (in which the painters stand) has to be installed, and then the blades have to be sanded, degreased and painted twice. The painting process takes about three to four days per turbine.
Once the paint is on, it is necessary to find out what effect this has on the blade material. Black paint attracts heat, causing the temperature of the blade to rise and possibly overheat on hot, sunny days. With thermometers installed inside the blades and additional inspections, the impact on the material will be monitored. The impact on preventive maintenance and performance of the turbines will also be checked.
In addition to the technical effect, the study also looks at the impact on the landscape . The question here is how people view a turbine when one of its blades is colored black. Pilots who regularly fly over the area are also being consulted about their experiences in the context of aviation safety.
Images of the black blades for media purposes (image rights: RWE) are available in the media library.