This fourth EIS meeting aimed to highlight recent advances in fatigue and durability assessment for renewable energy structures, building on events in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
The relevance of these events relates to the continual increase of energy supply from renewable sources in the UK, Europe and worldwide. On Sunday 17th of August 2014 a record high of 22% of the UK’s electricity supply was generated by wind. In other EU countries such as Germany, Spain and Denmark the record is approximately double that. Building on this demand the size of the individual offshore prototype production machines is now exceeding the 10MW rated energy. Almost at the same time, secured funding for the 6MW first phase of the world’s largest commercial tidal energy production in the north of Scotland was announced.
These new challenges require enhanced design for integrity and reliability that is based on established and new practices. The 4th EIS WWT conference aimed to provide a platform for the discussion of current technological developments in this area. The event speakers were drawn from companies in this sector, as well as from experienced professionals and academic researchers working with emerging technologies in theoretical assessment of renewable structures.
Thanks to NAREC for their permission to use the photograph at the top of the page.