Expanded Metal Foils Market Size

Expanded Metal Foils Market Size

Expanded Metal Foils Market Size for Wind Turbine Blades Lightning Protection was valued at around USD 458 million in 2021 and will exhibit 10.8% CAGR from 2022 to 2030 driven by the installation of wind turbines across the world. The increasing production and installation of wind turbines will positively impact the industry.

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An expanded metal foil when used on turbine blades protects the blades from various harmful agents. China has one of the largest markets for expanded metal foils as it is shifting its dependence on electricity from renewable sources.

The wind turbine blades lightning protection market has evolved from the traditional & passive yet tough lightning protection system to a more contemporary lightning protection system with more sophisticated possibilities. In addition, there are higher specifications and mandatory testing in the industry standards for lightning protection. The wind turbine industry faces issues when it comes to protecting blades against frequent lightning strikes owing to the lengthening of blades and the usage of conductive materials such as carbon fibers.

Without proper lightning protection, even a single strike can result in expensive damage, possibly halt production, or even need a blade replacement.

When equipotential bonding is used in conjunction with surface protection techniques, such as Expanded Metal Foil (EMF), which was initially created for the aerospace industry at proper locations, CFRP blades are protected from current absorption and may sustain several lightning strikes. Expanded metal foil has excellent electrical conductivity. Expanded metal is a lightweight material that can be used with composite material in wind energy shielding solution, to form the blade material. Besides, it is one of the ideal materials for ensuring the electromagnetic compatibility of composite materials.

Expanded metal foils used in wind turbine blade protection are made of copper, aluminum, nickel, titanium, etc. These materials are employed as they provide additional assistance for energy generation. High conductivity, high mechanical strength, strong lightning protection, electromagnetic interference prevention, good heat transfer performance, and other qualities are among the characteristics of these materials. They are hence suitable materials for lightning protection in wind turbine blades.

The energy generation from non-renewable resources is increasing carbon emissions and carbon footprint. Consumers are inclining toward clean and sustainable energy sources. As a result, there has been a noticeable shift in customer preference toward pollution-free energy generation.

Additionally, the installation of wind turbines in the region is being encouraged by growing environmental protection concerns in European Union member states and defined goals for reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources, which is positively affecting the growth of the wind turbine market in Europe. For instance, the renewable energy firm Vattenfall recently announced that a 50-turbine wind farm in southern Scotland will be operational by 2023, supplying electricity to approximately 170,000 homes in the UK.