CONFERENCE
Project name: Basalt fibre composites for sustainable wind energy (BAS4WIND)
Project contract number: ES RTD/2025/20
Project partners: Warsaw University of Technology (Poland), Technical University of Denmark (Denmark), Izmir Katip Çelebi University (Türkiye), LLC “FiberJoints” (Denmark), LLC “TMBK partners” (Poland).
Project implementation deadline: 01.09.2025 - 31.09.2028 (36 months).
Total financing of the project: EUR 1 130 280,00.
The funding for Warsaw University of Technology is EUR 310 000,00 (100% co-financing from the Polish State budget);
The funding for the University of Latvia is EUR 300 000,00 (100% co-financing of the State budget of Latvia);
The funding for the Technical University of Denmark is 122 000,00 (100% co-financing from the Danish State budget);
The funding for Izmir Katip Çelebi University is 90 000,00 (100% co-financing from the Turkish State budget);
The funding for LCC “FiberJoints” is 77 400,00 (50% co-financing of the Danish State budget, 50% co-financing or EUR 38 700.00);
The funding for LCC “TMBK partners” is EUR 230 880,00 (80% co-financing by the Polish State budget or EUR 184 704.00, 20% co-financing or EUR 46 176.00).
The scientific and administrative coordinator of the project at the University of Latvia: Leading researcher and Assoc. Prof. at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute for Mechanics of Materials, Tatjana Glaskova-Kuzmina, tatjana.glaskova-kuzmina@lu.lv.
The project aims to develop advanced light composite materials from natural and biological materials, including basalt fibers, biobase epoxy resins, bioadditives, and thermoplastic bionon-woven materials. Together, these materials aim to create a new generation of composites that are not only durable but also “greener.” Turbine blades will have to withstand harsh environmental conditions, high mechanical loads, and constant fatigue. BAS4WIND partners will test and optimize the new composites for several structural blade components: shells, skins, flanges, and beams. The same materials could also be used in other industries, such as construction and the automotive industry, where they are actively looking for sustainable composite solutions.
Main results of the project:
1. Multi-scale model of the mechanical parameters of the basalt fiber-reinforced plastics (BRFP).
The modeling will provide practical guidelines for achieving the desired mechanical properties of BFRP made from selected components (resin, basalt fibers, nano-additives, and nonwovens). Theoretical outputs from the modeling will be validated through experiments. This validation process will help to define critical factors influencing BFRP properties and establish technical indicators for performance evaluation.
2. Composite samples - panels.
Manufactured by selected processes adjusted for BFRP, from bio-based epoxy resin and innovative thermoplastic bio-nonwovens and nano-additives.
3. Studies on the durability of designed and produced BFRP.
Detailed studies of the BFRP’s durability will be performed before and after aging to simulate wind turbine blade conditions, including establishing measurement standards for assessing degradation rates and durability modeling.
4. Comprehensive life cycle, social and cost assessments.
Performed to evaluate BFRP sustainability from economic, social, and and environmental perspectives. This analysis will consider waste management and recycling approaches.
The project activities will be carried out at the University of Latvia (LU), by a scientific group from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute for Mechanics of Materials, in collaboration with the Warsaw University of Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, LCC “FiberJoints”, and LCC “TMBK partners”.