The new ArcGuide coating can help to significantly reduce the prevalence of lightning damage to wind turbines.
Arctura has recently announced that that it has signed a technology license agreement with Mankiewicz, an international manufacturer high-quality paints and coatings solution, in order to develop the ArcGuide® lightning protection coating, which has been specifically designed to significantly reduce the prevalence of lightning damage to wind turbines – that usually costs the energy industry more than $100 million annually.
“This blade coating breakthrough addresses one of the most important pain points felt by wind farm operators. We are very pleased to be working alongside Mankiewicz, the top coatings manufacturer in the industry. Wind farm operators are more than ready for this product to be on the market and will be pleased to know that it is being offered by a trusted manufacturer known for its durable and effective coatings,” has stated Neal Fine, the CEO of Arctura.
As a matter of fact,
lightning damage to wind turbines is one of the largest expenses for operators and the problem is expected to worsen in the coming years, as the manufacturers continue to build taller wind turbines and as lightning activity increases due to climate change.
ArcGuide is a polyurethane-based topcoat that incorporates a proprietary mixture of discrete elements. When applied to the surface of the wind turbine blade in the vicinity of the lightning receptors, it facilitates the formation of ionised channels over the surface during the build-up of a strike, providing a safe a external path for lightning to reach the ground receptor and preventing damaging blade punctures. The coating can be easily applied and has superior durability, protecting the blade from even the harshest of elements and remaining effective strike after strike.
“We are proud to partner with Arctura in developing and launching ArcGuide, a groundbreaking lightning protection system for the wind industry. Our commitment to innovation and delivering high-quality coating solutions aligns perfectly with the vision of Arctura. Together, we are addressing a critical challenge faced by wind farm operators by offering this new valuable functionality as part of our BladeRep product portfolio and we look forward to making a lasting impact in the renewable energy sector,” has declared Fabian Grimm, the managing director of Mankiewicz.