German wind turbine manufacturer Enercon has signed a memorandum of understanding with Canadian clean technology company Biome Renewables to explore the potential integration of a noise-reducing blade technology on Enercon’s wind turbines.
Announced during the HUSUM Wind trade fair, the collaboration will begin with tests of Biome’s FeatherEdge serration system on the E-160 EP5 model in Germany. The technology, inspired by the silent flight of owls, aims to reduce aerodynamic noise from turbine blades, particularly in areas with strict noise regulations.
“Initial tests in close cooperation between Biome and our customer Schierloh Engineering in Germany indicate that further acoustical advantages for noise-sensitive sites could be possible with this technology,” said Enercon Chief Technology Officer Jörg Scholle.
The partnership builds on earlier third-party testing of the FeatherEdge system conducted in 2025. According to Biome, the next phase will involve standardized noise testing under IEC protocols and engineering validation to ensure compatibility with Enercon’s turbine platforms.
“We are delighted in our partnership with Enercon — a trusted industry-leading OEM delivering premium solutions,” said Ryan Church, CEO and CTO of Biome Renewables. “Working collaboratively with Enercon, we can further the transition to a clean energy economy by reducing turbine noise and increasing the social and business case viability of wind power.”
FeatherEdge uses biomimetic design principles and materials designed for durability, with Church adding that the system “emulates the silence of the owl’s flight” to address turbine noise issues.
Enercon said the agreement aligns with its ongoing efforts to support turbine performance improvements over their operational lifetime. The initiative is aimed at offering enhanced solutions for wind farms in acoustically sensitive environments.
