Greenboats, Sicomin, Bcomp among JEC Innovation Awards finalists
May 20, 2021 - France
Greenboats, Sicomin and Bcomp are among the finalists of the JEC Innovation Awards 2021. The three, partners in making innovative Green Nacelle – the first offshore nacelle manufactured with natural fibre composites (NFC) - have been selected in the Renewable Energy category. The Green Nacelle construction requires over 50 per cent less energy.
The Green Nacelle was designed by NFC innovators Greenboats, who were also responsible for the structural engineering, manufacturing and assembly of the nacelle. By incorporating Bcomp’s ampliTex flax reinforcements, FSC certified balsa wood cores and bio-based resins, the Green Nacelle’s NFC construction saves approximately 60 per cent CO2 equivalent and reduces the energy consumption by over 50 per cent compared to a nacelle made with existing GFRP technology.
In addition to the lower CO2 footprint, the natural fibre composite structure also introduces viable options for the end of the nacelles’ life unlike traditional GFRP structures - an issue of increasing concern for the wind energy sector that presents a great opportunity for natural fibre composites to bring a sustainable change to this market.
Sicomin, the formulator and supplier of the leading range of GreenPoxy bio-based epoxy resin systems, supplied its DNV GL approved InfuGreen 810 resin system that was used to infuse the Green Nacelle’s main structural sandwich panels, as well as providing intumescent FR gelcoats, biobased laminating resins and UV resistant clear coatings for the groundbreaking new nacelle. Materials, as well as on-site technical support, were delivered by Sicomin’s German distributor Time Out Composites.
“We are thrilled to be nominated as finalists for these prestigious awards and are delighted that the judges have recognised the environmental and lifecycle benefits of our natural fibre composite nacelle demonstrator for the next generation of onshore and offshore wind turbines,” comments Friedrich J Deimann, founder and CEO of Greenboats.
The winners of the awards will be announced during JEC Connect which will be held during June 1-2, 2021.
The Green Nacelle was designed by NFC innovators Greenboats, who were also responsible for the structural engineering, manufacturing and assembly of the nacelle. By incorporating Bcomp’s ampliTex flax reinforcements, FSC certified balsa wood cores and bio-based resins, the Green Nacelle’s NFC construction saves approximately 60 per cent CO2 equivalent and reduces the energy consumption by over 50 per cent compared to a nacelle made with existing GFRP technology.
In addition to the lower CO2 footprint, the natural fibre composite structure also introduces viable options for the end of the nacelles’ life unlike traditional GFRP structures - an issue of increasing concern for the wind energy sector that presents a great opportunity for natural fibre composites to bring a sustainable change to this market.
Sicomin, the formulator and supplier of the leading range of GreenPoxy bio-based epoxy resin systems, supplied its DNV GL approved InfuGreen 810 resin system that was used to infuse the Green Nacelle’s main structural sandwich panels, as well as providing intumescent FR gelcoats, biobased laminating resins and UV resistant clear coatings for the groundbreaking new nacelle. Materials, as well as on-site technical support, were delivered by Sicomin’s German distributor Time Out Composites.
“We are thrilled to be nominated as finalists for these prestigious awards and are delighted that the judges have recognised the environmental and lifecycle benefits of our natural fibre composite nacelle demonstrator for the next generation of onshore and offshore wind turbines,” comments Friedrich J Deimann, founder and CEO of Greenboats.
The winners of the awards will be announced during JEC Connect which will be held during June 1-2, 2021.