The project's final results were showcased to the wind energy sector at the WindEurope Technology Workshop in Rotterdam, highlighting new approaches to lifetime extension, predictive maintenance, cybersecurity and health-aware wind farm operation.
After three years of research and innovation, the Horizon Europe project WILLOW (Wholistic and Integrated Digital Tools for Extended Lifetime and Profitability of Offshore Wind Farms) has delivered its final results, providing offshore wind operators with innovative digital tools and monitoring technologies to improve asset reliability, sustainability and operational performance, while supporting data-driven lifetime extension and more cost-effective asset management.
Key innovations delivered by WILLOW
One of the project's major achievements has been the development of advanced monitoring technologies for corrosion and coating degradation, led by partners CEIT, SIRRIS and C-CUBE. Through the combination of ultrasound sensing, electrochemical monitoring and artificial intelligence, WILLOW has enabled earlier detection of degradation mechanisms and continuous condition monitoring of offshore structures. The project also developed the Corrosion Condition Monitoring System (CCMS), allowing operators to move from periodic inspections towards predictive maintenance strategies that support lifetime extension and reduce operational costs.
In parallel, WILLOW has strengthened the digital resilience of offshore wind farms through the development of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy for IoT-based monitoring systems. Led by CEIT, this work introduced secure-by-design architectures, advanced identity and access management mechanisms, privacy-preserving data processing and intelligent threat detection capabilities. These developments provide operators with a secure foundation for the large-scale deployment of digital monitoring technologies across critical renewable energy infrastructure.
The project has also generated new insights into the environmental footprint of offshore wind farms. In collaboration with the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), TSI successfully conducted a long-term underwater acoustic monitoring campaign at the Norther offshore wind farm in the North Sea. The resulting datasets improve understanding of underwater radiated noise from wind turbines and will support future environmental assessments and sustainable offshore wind development.
A further key outcome of WILLOW has been the application of advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to offshore wind asset management. VUB, 24SEA and Flanders Make developed a scalable framework capable of transforming large volumes of operational, inspection and monitoring data into actionable insights at wind farm level. The resulting digital platform supports fatigue assessment, corrosion monitoring, anomaly detection and lifetime prediction, enabling operators to make more informed maintenance and operational decisions while reducing uncertainty and costs.
Figure 2 - Data-platform for High-frequency sensor data (e.g. accelerations, SHM measurements) and SCADA data.
Finally, SINTEF led the development of innovative health-aware operational strategies that integrate structural health information into wind farm control systems. Through the creation of a Smart Curtailment Tool and advanced lifetime consumption models, WILLOW demonstrated how curtailment strategies can be optimized to reduce structural fatigue while maintaining grid requirements. These tools support a more balanced approach to energy production, asset integrity and long-term wind farm profitability.
Transforming offshore wind operation and maintenance
Taken together, the results achieved within WILLOW demonstrate the potential of combining digitalisation, advanced monitoring technologies and data-driven decision-making to transform offshore wind farm operation and maintenance. By enabling earlier detection of degradation, improving asset lifetime assessment, strengthening cybersecurity and supporting more sustainable operational strategies, the project provides the offshore wind sector with practical tools to increase reliability, reduce costs and maximize the value of existing and future assets.
As offshore wind continues to play a central role in Europe's energy transition, the technologies and methodologies developed by WILLOW offer a solid foundation for safer, smarter and more sustainable wind farm management.
About the project:
WILLOW (Wholistic and Integrated Digital Tools for Extended Lifetime and Profitability of Offshore Wind Farms) is a Horizon Europe-funded project coordinated by CEIT and involving 12 partners from 5 European countries. More information: www.willow-project.eu.