About

“By combining advanced automation, digital manufacturing and circular solutions with European expertise and collaboration, ANEMOS aims to build a more sustainable, competitive and resilient future for Europe’s wind industry.”

Peter Karlsaune

NTNU  – Norwegian University of Science and Technology


About the project

ANEMOS aims to transform the current manufacturing model of wind turbine components by the integration of automation and digitalization technologies.

With the rapid expansion of wind energy across Europe, urgent measures are needed to improve the resource efficiency of manufacturing processes as well as reduce sectoral high dependence on manual labor. These factors not only generate impact at economic level but also at environmental and H&S levels.

ANEMOS will demonstrate the integration of automated manufacturing and real-time digital monitoring in the manufacturing of two key turbine components: rotor blades and nacelle busbars, enabling sustainable, high-volume, and cost-effective production. This will accelerate Europe’s green industrial transition, support the Net-Zero Industry Act objectives, and strengthen industrial competitiveness.

Objectives

1

Develop and deploy advanced automation solutions for manufacturing processes of wind turbine components (i.e., blades and nacelles)

2

To improve the health and safety conditions across the wind energy supply chain

3

Develop and demonstrate digital solutions for the targeted manufacturing processes by leveraging automation, sensorisation, and digital twin technologies

4

To contribute to the standardisation of innovative wind turbine manufacturing technologies

5

Create exploitation plans, ensure IP protection and innovations’ funding strategies

6

Maximise wider outreach and uptake of ANEMOS results

Technical objectives

Wind turbine blades:

  • Increase productivity: > 70h less of manual labour per blade
  • Increase quality: >50h less of post-layup repairs per blade

For busbars:

  • Material waste reduction: >15%
  • Increase productivity: elimination of >80% of assembly steps
  • Increase performance: >60% quality issues reduction

Financial objectives

Wind turbine blades:

  • Increasing blade production rate by at least 16%
  • Cost savings ca. €2.5 million are expected by 2030

For busbars:

  • Increase production rate: >20%
  • Save ca. 448,000 €/year.

Safety objectives

Wind turbine blades:

  • Reduce layup manual handling and post-layup repairs by at least 80%

For busbars:

  • Weight reduction by 3 vs SOTA, elimination of assembly steps by 80%, reducing incident rates.

Environmental objectives

Wind turbine blades:

  • Improved material efficiency (saving > 30t/year of composite material)
  • Optimised energy consumption (> 33% reduction in energy use per unit estimated).
  • Emissions will be reduced by at least 99 tCO2/year

For busbars:

  • Replace 56 t/year of Cu by recycled aluminum in 2030
  • Improving circularity and logistical resilience of production
  • Saving 229 tCO2/year.

Work plan

The ANEMOS work plan is organised into interconnected work packages that drive the project from research and technology development to industrial demonstration, validation, and dissemination. Together, they ensure the successful delivery of innovative manufacturing solutions for a more sustainable and resilient wind energy value chain.