Review Enhancing mechanical performance of thick steel plates for offshore wind structures: A classification and patent landscape study

초록

Offshore wind energy is emerging as a pivotal energy resource, and as turbine dimensions expand to meet growing power demands, structural requirements for support towers have intensified. This has led to the use of thicker steel plates, introducing challenges such as microstructural inhomogeneity from uneven cooling across plate thicknesses. To address these issues, we conducted a comprehensive patent analysis on heavy steel plate technologies to identify technological gaps and track innovation trends. We developed a classification framework to organize production methods aimed at enhancing mechanical properties. Additionally, we assessed average steel plate thicknesses across countries and companies, reflecting the trend towards larger turbines and towers. Patent impact and market potential were evaluated using the Cites Per Patent (CPP) and Patent Family Size (PFS) indices.

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