PROTECTING THE SUSTAINABLE REVOLUTION ONE
TURBINE AT A TIME
Why ArmorThane’s Polyurea Coatings Are Perfect for Protecting Renewable Energy Infrastructure
BUILDING A MORE SUSTAINABLE
ENERGY LANDSCAPE LAYER-BY-LAYER
Wind turbines, solar panels, geothermal plants, and other emerging power generating technologies are expected to capture an increasing share of total energy production as the world continues to shift away from fossil fuels. Unlike carbon-emitting non-renewables like oil and natural gas, these renewable sources offer to power our world without relying on a finite resource that’s also responsible for climate changing greenhouse gas emissions and many other types of environmental externalities. But if we have the solution, why do we also still have the challenge? Well, to make a long story short, the technology just isn’t there yet. Countless technical hurdles limit the efficiency of their operation and the feasibility of their deployment, not to mention the economic restrictions. However, that doesn’t mean we haven’t made any progress; renewables constitute a larger proportion of overall electricity generation than ever before, and this is likely to only increase. So until we see solar panels and wind turbines on every home or hill, it’s critical we make the most out of existing infrastructure, which must perform well if sustainable technologies are to receive continued funding and interest, and more importantly, to power the world more sustainably. The problem is, by virtue of their installations not just outside, but exposed to conditions typically associated with damage and degradation, sustainable power infrastructure must not only be able to withstand, but thrive in these harsh operating conditions. This includes wind turbines, which as a consequence of their composition, locations, size, height, and operation, are some of the most difficult to maintain and costly to repair examples of renewable power infrastructure. That’s why ArmorThane has developed our advanced spray elastomer technology, engineered to help wind turbines and other structures resist the full force of nature day after day.
WHY DO WIND TURBINES
NEED EXTRA PROTECTION?
Everyone knows wind turbines are large, but until you see one up close, it’s hard to understand just how big these modern marvels really are. The problem is, larger means using more materials, and specifically those with the strength to support their own weight and operation. In other words, metals, and specifically steel, which does indeed make up most of what’s used to construct a wind turbine. However, steel is susceptible to corrosion, which not only threatens the energy generating efficiency of a wind turbine, but also risks creating the need for extensive repairs or replacements that can cost a fortune and reduce the overall power produced from active wind farms for extended periods of time. Moreover, their large sizes, and in particular their enormous heights, also bring wind turbines that much closer to a stressor that’s difficult enough to manage here on the ground: UV radiation. Throw extreme temperatures, the risk of wildlife encounters, and more infrequent weather events like a lightning strike into the mix, and it’s not hard to see why turbines could use some extra protection.
ARMORTHANE’S WIND TURBINE COATINGS
We like to call our protective coatings “all-purpose,” for a reason. And the reason is simple: our polyurea technology is capable of protecting surfaces from almost anything you can think of, and more importantly, the most common sources of structural damage and degradation. For wind turbines, there are five key benefits in particular that make ArmorThane’s polyurea turbine coatings the ultimate solution, and second to none:
CORROSION
It’s our old friend corrosion again, here to cause problems with yet another important technology! Like so many other structures and surfaces, wind turbines are highly susceptible to corrosion, specifically on the leading edge of turbine blades and on the metal towers and foundations that support their rise to the sky. Causing both operational and maintenance issues, it’s critical to do whatever we can to insulate wind turbines from water, oxygen, and other oxidative chemical species. ArmorThane’s polyurea turbine coatings create a watertight barrier that makes it so structural materials remain untouched and unburdened by the common sources of rust and corrosion.
UV RESISTANT
Did you know UV intensity increases as you go up in the atmosphere? That’s because it’s the atmosphere itself that helps absorb much of the sun’s harmful wavelengths of light, so as you go up, your protection goes down. This means that a wind turbine’s height adds insult to injury, as it’s plenty difficult to protect from UV radiation on the ground, let alone higher up in the atmosphere where UV radiation is that much stronger. So for any component at any height, our protective coatings can provide exceptional UV resistance, while also being used as a convenient way to don wind turbine’s in their typical white or pale gray color.
MAXIMUM UPTIME
While just how bad and how quickly the consequences of climate change and other environmental concerns will take to fully rear their ugly heads remain uncertain, there’s no doubt we need more renewables, and as quickly as possible. Moreover, it’s expensive to build, operate, and maintain renewable infrastructure like wind turbines, so every moment offline is money lost and environmental gains avoided. ArmorThane’s polyurea turbine coatings are quick to apply, rapid to cure, and last longer than almost any other type of specialty coating. Together, this makes it so that uptime is maximized and downtime is at an all time low.
COST SAVINGS
As we’ve just discussed, it’s not cheap to realize the potential of wind power. Unavoidably exposed to extreme temperatures, intense UV radiation, moisture-induced corrosion, and whatever abrasives that might be carried in the wind, turbines can take a beating even on what seems like the most pleasant days of the year. Without the added protection of a technology like ArmorThane’s turbine coatings, wind turbines will need far more frequent repairs and part placements that can drastically reduce their economic feasibility.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE
Considering wind power is used as a more environmentally safe alternative to fossil fuels, it’s critical that renewable infrastructure and the technologies that are used to protect them don’t simply replace one problem with another. ArmorThane’s polyurea turbine coatings are safe and non-toxic after curing, with a much improved health and sustainability profile compared to many other coating materials. They’re made of 100% solids and with no solvents or volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), making them hard to beat when it comes to matching sustainable innovation with sustainable innovation.
So we’re not exaggerating when we say there’s no time to wait. The sooner wind turbines are coated with ArmorThane’s advanced polyurea formulations, the closer we get to realizing a shared future of health and sustainability.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Wind turbine blades, along with other components of a wind turbine, are coated with one or more types of protective coatings. They’re usually made of ceramic coatings like thermal barrier coatings (TBCS), or of strong elastomer technology like polyurea. In either case, their role is to protect wind turbines from environmental hazards including corrosion, UV radiation, and extreme weather events.
Wind turbines are expected to last approximately 30 years, but the actual lifetime varies depending on their location, build quality, and maintenance regimen. With the help of additional protective measures like the application of a polyurea coatings system, it’s far easier and more cost-effective to reach this 30 year maximum, if not extend what’s thought possible.
Wind turbines are typically made a white or gray color for two main reasons, with the first being to minimize their visual footprint on typically beautiful landscapes. Secondly, by painting a wind turbine white, you’re reducing the thermal strain by minimizing the maximum temperature as well as the extent of temperature fluctuations.
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PROTECT OUR WORLD, WHILE
POWERING IT TOO
The sustainable revolution is here, and it’s time to take action. Thankfully, ArmorThane makes it easier than ever before to start taking the steps towards not just the idea of a sustainable future, but one that exists before our very eyes. As a one-stop shop for everything polyurea and polyurethane, we serve as a single place for all of your coatings needs. Whether you need the right formulation, or help finding a certified team in your area with experience coating wind turbines, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to learn more, and discover why we’ve been the best in the business for over 35 years and have doubts we’ll be here after 35 more!
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ArmorThane has built a strong reputation over the past 30 years for producing high-quality, durable protective coatings.
Phone Number
Tel: 417.831.5090
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moreinfo@armorthane.com
