INSPIRE

As part of the INSPIRE project, our work focuses on the development and calculation of an innovative generator concept for use in offshore wind turbines. This task includes the detailed design as well as the analytical and numerical analysis of the mechanical and electromagnetic properties of the generator. A particular focus is on the investigation of the oscillation and vibration behavior in order to ensure both the mechanical integrity and the long-term reliability of the system. The aim is to create a design that meets the high requirements for efficiency, service life and sustainability by taking a holistic view of the operating requirements and load profiles.

The global demand for rare earth elements (REE) is a key challenge of the energy transition. These materials, which are crucial for wind generators and hydrogen catalysts, are not only expensive and environmentally harmful to produce, but also geopolitically risky, as Europe is heavily dependent on imports. This is precisely where INSPIRE comes in: The project develops innovative approaches that drastically reduce the use of REEs while maximizing the efficiency and sustainability of the systems.

The INSPIRE project addresses key challenges of the energy transition by combining offshore wind energy and hydrogen production in an integrated approach. With the aim of reducing the consumption of rare earths and maximizing the lifetime and efficiency of renewable energy systems, INSPIRE creates pioneering technological approaches that enable a resource-efficient and sustainable energy future. The project is funded by Horizon Europe as part of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership and brings together an international consortium of leading research institutions and industrial partners, including NTNU (Norway), VUB (Belgium), Fraunhofer IWES, Siemens and the University of Bremen.

https://www.ntnu.edu/imt/inspire

https://www.iwes.fraunhofer.de/en/research-projects/current-projects/inspire.html

https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspire-the-research-project/