Major Challenges and Future Perspectives of Corrosion Science and Engineering in the New Energy Age

This paper presents an overview of current issues in corrosion science and engineering and discusses future challenges in the new energy age. It is considered that corrosion science and engineering will play an important role in the sustainability and durability of future renewable energy infrastructures. Corrosion science and engineering needs to provide solutions to effectively prevent the pre-mature failure of major future energy structures and to economically extend their safe operational life to probably 100 years. Future corrosion management of renewable energy infrastructure will need smart and advanced corrosion monitoring and management tools incorporating corrosion sensors/probes, data analytics, artificial intelligence, predictive modelling and various corrosion control technologies and materials in order to achieve quantitative and reliable corrosion prediction and closed-loop corrosion control. It is thought that the detection, monitoring, prediction and prevention of localised forms of corrosion and materials degradation is the most significant challenge to corrosion science and engineering, especially for future renewable energy infrastructure located at remote and complex environments. New eco-informed and environmentally friendly anti-corrosion materials and methods will also be required to meet progressively strict standards for environmental protection.