Materials play a key role in the energy transition, specifically composite materials. Composite materials, also known as composites, have existed for many decades, and can be derived from combining two or more materials, often with different properties, that when combined, produce a unique material with characteristics that differ from the original individual materials. The resulting materials are specialised to perform certain tasks, either to improve strength, weight or resistance to electricity.
As the UK embarks on its journey to net zero, composites are already playing a critical role in several industries including energy, marine, construction and aviation. The reason for this is their versatility, from contributing to adding flexibility and strength to wind turbine blades or increasing durability and corrosion resistance to a number of products used for the energy and subsea sectors, or even ensuring that vehicles and aircrafts are lighter, consequently reducing emissions.
Composite Materials in Practice
The section below looks closely at some of the applications of composite materials in low or zero carbon emission power generation methods.
Hydrogen: Composite materials such as polythene play a pivotal role in hydrogen storage as they prevent corrosion, provide better fatigue resistance and hydrogen embrittlement rather than metal.
Wind: The wind energy industry with its floating offshore platforms relies completely on composites to operate. The unique mix of lightweight strength properties of fibre-reinforced polymer composites enables blades to generate power reliably and with very little maintenance needed over their 20–30-year lifetime. Additionally, composite materials are also used to protect the motor and gear infrastructure from severe weather conditions both onshore and offshore and in many critical applications across the whole wind turbine installation.
Solar and Tidal: Composites are largely used in the frame structures for solar panels, giving them long-term durability and corrosion/erosion resistance, but also in the transmission infrastructure for the power generated. Within tidal energy, composites are often utilised in power generation.
FAQ: Composite Materials
In addition to the practical examples given above, the below takes a deeper dive into some of the most frequently asked questions around composite materials.
What is the role of composite materials in the Net Zero transition?
The scarcity and high cost of minerals and materials such as lithium, neodymium and copper, which are critical in electric vehicles and in the generation of wind and solar energy, drives the need for composite materials to be adopted in the energy transition. Replacing expensive and scarce materials with composites will provide more accessible and affordable materials that will accelerate the energy transition. In addition, this will promote innovation for novel materials that will support the reduction of carbon footprint.
The use of more composite materials can also be used to construct energy-efficient buildings. Construction materials account for about 70% of the carbon footprint in building construction. Conventional building materials have a high carbon footprint. Substituting standard materials like steel with wood (organic and synthetic) and carbon-neutral concrete could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 30% and act as a carbon sink rather than a carbon source.
Is there a group of composites set to become essential for the transition to net zero?
Composite is a broad subject and has several types, such as organic composite, polymer matrix composite (PMC), metal matrix composite (MMC) and wood plastic composite (WPC). Modern-day composite materials have fibres or nanomaterials embedded in the matrix of the material. This improves the strength, stiffness and toughness properties of the materials.
With a high demand for minerals and materials in battery production, a composite with similar properties as lithium is in high demand. Similarly, thermoplastic composite pipes for the transport of hydrogen gas and liquid and fibres in manufacturing hydroelectric and wind turbine blades.
Where do you get the raw materials to make the composites?
Raw materials for composites are derived from multiple sources, depending on the type of composites and their application. Materials for hybrid bio composites such as wood-plastic composites can be derived from combining wood fibre/wood flour and thermoplastic polymers, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PPE), polyvinylchloride (PVC) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS).
Additionally, fibres which are one of the most common composite constituents can be synthetically obtained through electrospinning which is a method that uses electric force to extract charged threads from polymer melts or solutions up to fibre sizes of a few hundred nanometres. The solution can be formulated in a laboratory and the composition of the solution which is dependent on the fibres to be produced can be outsourced from chemical/material suppliers.
Other composite materials can be sourced from recycled materials which forms part of the circular economy and ensures materials are reused and recycled. Scarce materials such as copper can be obtained from recycled electronic products and treated/enhanced with additives.
What are the main limitations of composite materials?
Composite materials are unique materials and because several variations of composites exist, current standards are not completely reliable. They do not fully reflect the nature, behaviour and properties of composites.
Similarly, due to the fact there are inexhaustible composite materials, limited studies have been conducted on their application specifically in relation to the energy transition. Very few materials have been investigated to support the acceleration of the energy transition.
Additionally, there is a shortage of some raw materials that can be used to produce composites, for example, minerals such as lithium. Likewise, the process of acquiring some of these materials like mined minerals produce a great environmental footprint and, in some cases, a high cost.
As the UK continues to move away from fossil-fuel-based power generation, composite materials will be crucial in the growing offshore wind industry, but also in the development of solar, tidal and nuclear energy capabilities, facilitating the transition to a net-zero economy.
To discover more about our projects and expertise around composite materials, please visit our dedicated Integrated Energy page or get in-touch to discuss any collaborative projects via NSCenquiries@rgu.ac.uk
