Recent advances in the measurement of flow in highly energetic tidal currents allows the effects of both turbulence and ocean waves to be characterised. This provides improved understanding of the causes of failure in tidal devices, including blades, seals, bearings, PTO & other critical components. Combining this new understanding with state-of-the-art condition monitoring systems will allow fault-tolerant, resilient, components to be designed. The project will combine innovation in flow measurement, condition monitoring and turbine components with tide-to-wire modelling to design reliable power take off & control systems delivering grid compliant energy. This is only possible by the inclusion of partners with: (1.) a proven track record of high resolution flow measurements in the highly energetic waters of the EMEC tidal site, (2.) access to open- sea pilot test site and turbine data, (3.) world leading capabilities in testing of materials for the marine environment, in design, construction, installation and operation of tidal devices, condition monitoring / condition- based maintenance, world leading tank test facilities, and a detailed understanding of technology verification & certification in offshore energy. Machines using the outputs of the project will be a key part of new bankable projects to deliver electricity at a highly competitive LCE. Through the design of reliable intelligent blades and components with integrated condition monitoring, for the first time, provide [...know how...] for Real Turbines, operating in Real Seas and under Real Conditions.

Carbo4Power will develop a new generation of lightweight, high strength, multifunctional, digitalized multi-materials for offshore wind and tidal turbine rotor blades that will increase their operational performance and durability while reducing the cost of energy production (bellow 10 ct€/ kWh for wind turbines and 15ct€/kWh for tidal), maintenance and their environmental impact. The innovative concept is based on nano-engineered hybrid (multi)materials and their intelligent architectures which breaks down as follows: i) Nanocomposites based on dynamic thermosets with inherent recyclability and repairability and tailored nano-reinforcements to enhance mechanical properties. ii) Multifunctional nano-enabled coatings to improve turbine protection (e.g. against lightning and biofouling (eg. 50% fouling release). iii) Blade segments will be designed and fabricated by advanced net-shape automated multi-material composite technologies that will allow ca. 20% scrap reduction. The approach for WTB is to deliver innovative design of modular rotor blade, while the approach for TTB is aimed towards an optimal design for 'one-shot' manufacture. v) Recycling of blade materials will be increased up to 95% due to the advanced functionalities of 3R resins and adhesives with debonding on demand properties. The strategic goal is to provide the frame which will create new pathways for manufacturing of FRPs for multiple processing life cycles, and explore the emerging valorisation opportunities in offshore energy sector. A multidisciplinary team of 18 partners (8 SMEs) from 8 countries provides technological know-how and industrial leadership, with well-balanced dissemination, communication & exploitation impact.

Ocean Energy can play an important role in addressing one of the EU’s biggest challenges: providing clean, affordable and sustainable energy. However, ocean energy technologies are not yet mature enough to overcome all challenges related to performance, reliability, survivability, and resulting cost of energy. DTOceanPlus will accelerate the commercialisation of the Ocean Energy sector by developing and demonstrating an open source suite of design tools for the selection, development, deployment and assessment of ocean energy systems (including sub-systems, energy capture devices and arrays). This will align innovation and development processes with those used in mature engineering sectors. - Technology concept selection will be facilitated by a Structured Innovation tool. - Technology development will be enabled by a Stage-Gate tool. - Technology deployment will be supported by a 2nd generation of the FP7 DTOcean tools. This suite of design tools will reduce the technical and financial risks of the technology to achieve the deployment of cost-competitive wave and tidal arrays. DTOceanPlus will underpin a rapid reduction in the Levelised Cost of Energy offered by facilitating improvement in the reliability, performance and survivability of ocean energy systems and analysing the impact of design on energy yield, O&M and the environment, thus making the sector more attractive for private investment. These objectives and impacts will be achieved through the implementation of 9 work packages covering user engagement, tool development, demonstration of tools against real projects (thus outputting a suite of tools at TRL 6), analysis of supply chains and potential markets, exploitation, dissemination and education. The DTOceanPlus consortium has been formed to include representatives of all key user and stakeholder groups. It includes all core partners from the FP7 DTOcean project along with the developers of Europe’s leading ocean energy sub-systems, devices and arrays.