Materials Design and Structural Health Monitoring of Horizontal Axis Offshore Wind Turbines: A State-of-the-Art Review

In recent decades, Offshore Wind Turbines (OWTs) have become crucial to the clean energy transition, yet they face significant safety challenges due to harsh marine conditions. Key issues include blade damage, material corrosion, and structural degradation, necessitating advanced materials and real-time monitoring systems for enhanced reliability. Carbon fiber has emerged as a preferred material for turbine blades due to its strength-to-weight ratio, although its high cost remains a barrier. Structural Health Monitoring Systems (SHMS) play a vital role in detecting potential faults through real-time data on structural responses and environmental conditions. Effective monitoring approaches include vibration analysis and acoustic emission detection, which facilitate early identification of anomalies. Additionally, robust data transmission technologies are essential for SHMS effectiveness. This paper reviews material design strategies, data acquisition methods, and safety assessment techniques for OWTs, addressing current challenges and future directions in the field.