Innovative technologies are able to turn wind power plants into a strategic military asset. According to researchers, the use of artificial intelligence and nanotechnologies will allow turbines to become “invisible” for radars, as well as to fulfill the role of surveillance systems for the armed forces.
Sweden recently rejected 13 offshore wind farms with a total capacity of 30 GW because of their potential influence on military radar systems. This decision caused a wide resonance in Europe, but, as experts note, modern technologies could reduce the effects of turbines on radars.
Stealth technologies similar to that are used in aviation, can help reduce radar interference created by windmills. According to data from Recharge News, a combination of nanotechnologies, artificial intelligence and sensory networks can make turbines less noticeable for radars.
Turbines made of radio-absorbing materials will have low radar visibility, which will allow them to place them near airfields and military bases. However, such technologies can increase the cost of turbines, and the use of special coatings can affect their aerodynamic characteristics.
Sweden Minister of Defense of Pers Johnson in November 2024 said that the construction of these facilities is unacceptable in terms of military security. Despite the importance of a hairless electrergy, the country abandoned the projects of Arkona, Aurora, Baltic Offshore Beta, Baltic Offshore Delta North, Cirrus, Erik Segersäll, Neptune, Pleione, Skool, Ski Blades, Soutern ICTORIA, Swell and Triton.
In 2016, the British company Qinetiq developed light radio-absorbing materials for integration from Vestas turbines. This was the first one of a kind of solution based on defense technologies.
According to Qinetiq, the modeling of radar exposure, the production of prototypes and testing confirmed the possibility of integration of stealth technologies into turbines without significant changes in their design and production process.
The use of these technologies made it possible to reduce radar interference by 99%. As a result, in June 2016, the Ensemble Eolen Catalan wind farm was successfully installed next to the Opoul meteorological radar, practically no affecting its work.