Wind turbine inspection: a game changer with our aerial drone technology
What is the purpose of conducting a wind turbine inspection?
Wind turbine inspection is a crucial task in ensuring the efficiency and safety of wind farms. These massive structures are susceptible to wear and tear due to constant exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Wind turbine inspection involves inspecting the blades, towers, and nacelle to identify any damages, potential problems, and necessary repairs. Traditional wind turbine inspection methods were time-consuming, dangerous, and costly. However, the advent of drone technology has revolutionized the inspection process, making it safer, faster, and more cost-effective.
Use cases of wind turbine inspection
Wind turbine inspection with drones has numerous use cases. Here are some of them:
- LPS inspection (lightning protection system). Drones can make contact with the probe and assess the resistance of the circuit in closed loop.
- Drones can use ultrasound surface thickness to measure the thickness of the surface using an ultrasonic gauge. This helps to identify any thinning of the surface, which can lead to fatigue and cracking.
- Another critical use case of drone wind turbine inspection is drainage hole cleaning. Drones can be equipped with robots that can restore clogged drainage holes, which can cause flooding and corrosion in the turbine blades. The use of drones for drainage hole cleaning reduces the need for manual labor and increases the safety of the cleaning process.
