A Glasgow student is using a homemade air canon to blast makeshift hailstones at wind turbines.

The University of Strathclyde created the device so that Hamish Macdonald can research the effect of adverse weather on fibreglass blades.

It is thought that hailstones can affect their aerodynamic efficiency of turbines.

The unique project could help the renewable energy industry prevent damage and increase energy production.

Similar studies have been done to test the effect of hail on aeroplanes - which are mainly carbon fibre – but there has been little research carried out using glass fibre.

PhD student Hamish Macdonald, 28, said: “At the tip of the turbine you’ll be getting hailstone speeds of 100 metres per second so that’s what we’re trying to replicate.

“We’re investigating whether hail is a factor in deterioration. We want these turbines to last upwards of 25 years and there has been cases later in the life of turbines where the quality of the blade surface is reduced, changing its aerodynamic properties and causing some maintenance problems.

“All around the world wind turbines are being installed in extreme conditions so we’re trying to see if hail is a factor in making indents in the turbine.”

Hamish makes hundreds of hailstones by pouring distilled water into plastic moulds and freezing them.

They are then placed in a chamber and blasted downwards towards a turbine blade.

The vertical air canon is contained in a Perspex box for safety reasons and when Hamish uses it he must wear protective plastic glasses.

Laboratory manager Chris Cameron, who spent two months building the device, said: “It can fire hailstones from 50 metres per second up to 130 metres per second.

“The valve is instant opening so you could potentially have a full ten bars of pressure on the back of any device.”

Hamish, who hopes to work in the renewables industry when he completes his studies this year, aims to come up with solutions to the problem of hailstones hitting blades - if it is shown they contribute to deterioration.

He added: “We could improve wind turbine blade materials, have more efficient coatings or create special shields.”

The research has been championed by Scottish Renewables, the industry body with more than 300 members.

Policy Officer Hannah Smith said: “Scotland has a long history of engineering innovation.

“Today, with renewable sources generating the equivalent of 57% of Scotland’s power needs, the value of research into optimising the green energy technology we have will only continue to grow.

“It’s important to remember, too, that the market for this new knowledge is a global one.

“Research like this will enhance the reputation built up by Scottish renewable energy businesses which are already operating from Morocco to Mongolia and beyond.”