How Special Tapes Enhance Wind Energy Production in India
With over 1.42 billion people, India has grown to become the most populous country in the world. Together with increased economic capacities, living standards and mobility, the need for electric power is rapidly growing in the area, making renewable energy sources more important than ever. India ranks 4th globally in renewable energy installed capacity, 4th in wind power capacity, and 4th in solar power capacity (as per REN21 Renewables 2022 Global Status Report).
However, there is still significant growth potential for wind energy production in India and other Asian countries. In this article, we will take a closer look at how special tapes can help to improve manufacturing processes, quality, efficiency, and reduce costs in wind energy production in India.
Driven by the global shift to alternative energy sources and supported by large government programmes, India has emerged as a leading player in the renewable energy sector. As per the updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), India is committed to achieving about 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
The country is making significant progress towards achieving its target, with about 140 Gigawatts (GW) of solar power and 60 GW of wind power capacity already installed as of the end of 2022, according to the annual report 2022/2023 published by the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Despite these impressive figures, there is still significant growth potential for renewable energy in India, particularly in wind energy production. This growth is primarily driven by three factors:
- Government Incentives: Ambitious targets for renewable energy capacity expansion set by the Indian government, supported by large financial growth programmes, have led to increased investment and support for the sector.
- Cost Reductions: New capacities, production technologies, and improved efficiency have helped to reduce the cost of wind energy production globally in recent years. This has made wind energy a more competitive option for renewable power generation.
- Increasing Demand: India’s rapidly growing population and economic development are driving the need for electricity. Alongside a recent shift towards greater electric mobility in two-, three- and four-wheel vehicles, the demand for more electric power is also providing a boost for wind energy production.
As these drivers appear to persist, it is expected that the growth of wind energy production in India will be further propelled by advancements in technology and manufacturing, favourable government policies, and increased private sector investment in the coming years.
Now, let us highlight the role of specialised tapes in improving wind blade production efficiency and how they can enhance the quality and durability of the blades. In general, adhesive tapes can be used to improve mould protection, bonding and masking in the manufacturing process.
In many cases, standard tapes that have not been specifically designed for wind blade manufacturing purposes are used in the manufacturing process. Switching to alternatives that have been created especially for wind turbine manufacturing can offer significant advantages over non-specific tapes in various aspects.
Currently, there is a trend towards epoxy-based resin used in the composite moulding process by many Indian manufacturers. Here, PET (Polyester) tapes like Saint-Gobain® P.762 outperform other solutions with its good initial tack and excellent bonding to low surface energy substrates. The combination of strong adhesion, temperature resistance and easy removability without residue helps to improve cycle times in blade manufacturing.
Other solutions like Saint-Gobain P3292 combine excellent thermal and chemical resistance, easy and clean removability with high temperature resistance for masking applications or to protect moulds and tools.
Both tapes are specifically optimised for wind turbine composite moulding application requirements and manufactured locally in India to meet regional demands with the goal to maximise manufacturing throughput and reduce the time needed to manufacture.
But how can these tapes help to streamline the manufacturing process? Their easy handling, strong adhesion and non-residue removability features allow for faster and cleaner processing. Their high temperature and stress resistance reliably protects moulds and components, extending the lifetime of valuable equipment and reducing maintenance efforts to a minimum. They help avoid challenges with residue, save time and costs.
Due to many years of composite moulding experience and deep manufacturing expertise, such specific tapes help to streamline production as less post-treatment of the blades or equipment is required.
These two examples show how tapes exclusively designed for wind blade manufacturing can help to improve output, quality, and reduce time and costs. But how do you know which solutions best suit your technology and application needs? The good news is that regional tape experts can help identify ideal options. Moreover, thanks to dedicated research and production capabilities in India, tapes can also be tailored to meet specific temperature, adhesion, mechanical, or resin resistance requirements to further enhance manufacturing performance.
We have seen that renewable energy production is growing rapidly in India and other Asian countries with no signs of slowing down. This presents excellent opportunities for wind blade manufacturers, and with the right tape solutions, enhanced quality, production performance, throughput, and cost savings can be achieved to support the overall trend towards increased renewable energy production.
Contact your tape expert to discover the tape that can be the wind of change in wind blade manufacturing and help to make the world a better home.