Wind Turbine Inspection Using Drone

1. WIND TURBINE INSPECTION

2. INDEX
• Concepts of wind turbine inspection
• Benefits of drone inspection
• Types of wind turbine inspection methods
• Operations

3. WIND TURBINE INSPECTION
• Wind turbine inspections are of crucial importance as wind
turbines need continuous monitoring and maintenance to ensure they are
operating at the optimum efficiency. Critical components have to be
carefully monitored by means of a systematic maintenance program and
regular inspections.
• The turbine blades are one of the most important inspection and
maintenance work scopes carried out on the wind turbines. If the
blade is damaged then the wind turbine will not operate as efficiently
resulting in a loss in power generation and a loss in money for the
operator.

4. HOW WIND TUNNEL INSPECTION
WORKS?

5. BENEFITS OF DRONE INSPECTION
Hail, snow, lightning, rain, salt and dust are just some of the things wind turbine
components must endure. Using our drone inspection solution for visual
inspection of on and offshore wind turbines provides benefits such as:
• safe working environment
• reduced downtime
• high quality images and video
• access to otherwise inaccessible areas
• dynamic surveying
• preventive maintenance planning.

6. • A drone inspection is a cost-effective and efficient inspection method
compared to traditional telephotography or other manual inspection
methods. With a drone inspection solution, you can achieve both visual and
thermal images on wind turbines for on-site analysis and assessment
regarding the condition of the rotor blades.
Digital and/or infrared camera inspection:
• When inspecting wind turbines, the drone can be equipped with a digital
camera, a thermographic camera or a combination, depending on the scope
of the inspection task. A digital camera provides proof of the visual failures
and damages of the tower, nacelle, rotor blades and bolt jointings.
• Thermographic inspection is a non-contact and non-destructive inspection
method that makes it possible to examine a large area of the blade for
structural defects and weaknesses in the blade. With infrared thermography,
the drone monitors variations in the surface temperature of e.g. the rotor
blades.

7. The temperature profile of e.g. the blade surface indicates potential defects.

8. Benefits of infrared thermographic images
• Non-contact and non-destructive inspection methods
• Visualisation of temperature on large areas of e.g. the rotor blade for
comparison
• Examination, measurement and observation of inaccessible or dangerous
area
• Detection of hidden defects and failures
• Detection of objects in dark areas
• Detection of erosion and corrosion
• Examination of abnormalities.

9. On-site rotor blade inspection
• During an on-site inspection, our investigation team will fly
the drone to the required position for data capture and start
the inspection of the rotor blade, whether it is for a full
inspection or specific areas of the rotor blade.
• The data is stored, making on-site evaluation of the state of
the wind turbine possible. The drone lies stable in the air
and can handle a wind speed of up to 10 m/s. Therefore, the
drone is ideal for inspection of both onshore and offshore
wind turbines.

10. .
A drone inspection reveals damages to the wind turbine blade and ensures that
repairs are carried out in time.

11. TYPES OF WIND TURBINE INSPECTION
METHODS
Surface Inspection:
• Surface inspection techniques involve visual examinations by workers on-
site. Surface visual inspections of wind turbines may be carried out using
several procedures:
• Rope-access method (worker is on a foundation hung from a
nacelle/elevated platform);
• Utilizing binoculars or telescopes;
• Employing a ground-based or drones with a stabilized camera.

12. POSSIBLE CRACK

13. .. B
.
Blade inspections can enhance the adequate discovery of external
flaws and hazards on wind turbines. Cracks, erosion,
lightning destruction, and adhesive debonding are a few external
defects that can be visualized easily using surface inspection
procedures. Rope access method would take longer working hours for
each blade, resulting in higher costs.
In contrast, drone-based inspections would be prompt and more
efficient. However, it is essential to note that some surface
investigations are ineffectual for recognizing an asset's internal
defects.

14. SUB- SURFACE INSPECTION
There is a menu of sub-surface inspection methods out there that can recognize
defects below the blade's surface. Few techniques are popular amongst
turbine manufacturers, whereas the company employs the others on
commissioned turbines. The following are examples of sub-surface inspection
methods:
o Acoustic emission (sound and ultrasound)
o Shearography
o Thermography
o Electromagnetism (eddy currents)
o Radiography (X- and gamma rays)
o Visual inspection
Sub-surface inspections are generally said to be non-destructive and are often
done on-site, in a laboratory, or a manufacturing unit. The principle
accompanying this inspection method requires measuring electromagnetic or
acoustic waves (any structural change alters the wavelength). Since these
methods are comparatively less refined, they are costlier technologies to adopt
in the energy industry.

15. CONDITION MONTIORING SYSTEM
• Condition-monitoring systems guarantee constant monitoring by utilizing
high-quality sensors installed on turbines to recognize any defects.
• This inspection method cannot be employed to identify the precise position
of the damage.
• However, it is often coupled with other inspection methods mentioned
above for effective detection and repairs.
• The sensors installed in blades detect natural vibration and frequency trends
that can identify any damages.
• This method is expensive as it demands to be installed on every wind
turbine.

16. THERMAL IMAGE

17. OPERATIONS
HORIZONTAL CRACK

18. a) DETAILED DATA:
 Drone data is known to be clear, precise, and of high-resolution.
 UAVs furnished with high-quality cameras can precisely seize aerial
photographs and videos of the entire blade with clarity upto 40 MP!
 Backed with advanced technologies such as LiDAR, operators can even
obtain explicit measures of defects and other potential hazards.
 Details procured via modern drone technology are remarkably beneficial
for the up-keep of assets and the retainment of their productivity.
 Simultaneously, the level of precision seized through UAVs is undoubtedly
unbeatable against other inspection techniques.

19. .
b) Drone Data Can Be Analyzed :
o Once the drone data is achieved, it is passed through diverse automated
processing and classification systems.
o Specialists in the field of information manually scrutinize the data for
quality checks and evaluate any significant concerns regarding the wind
turbine and its related infrastructure.
o The data is often represented as 3D models or other prototypes of designs
for easy interpretations.
o The complete process assures that all gaps are recognized and annotated for
prompt decision-making and effective asset maintenance.

20. .
c) Drone Data Is Easy To Use :
 Once the data is processed, it's often uploaded on an online portal.
 The organization can inspect the data to recognize defects and even classify
data according to their needs.
 The data is often accessible on various devices such as phones, laptops, and
even tablets.
 The company is confronted with the utmost convenience as the data report
of defects can effortlessly be displayed as a PDF in a button's touch!
 The drone data is supplied to clients in such a manner that it becomes
notably simple to understand and interpret.

21. .
d) Data Can Be Organized And Stored :
o UAV data are arranged and stored so that organizations can appropriate this
information in the future as well.
o For activities such as progress monitoring especially, storing data is a
necessity.
o The information is securely uploaded onto a portal to which only the
organization has access.
o Businesses can keep track of changes and even make comparisons for
further analysis in the future.

22. e) Safety & Efficiency :
 Enhanced workers efficiency and safety are probably one of the leading
reasons why drones are so popular in the energy industry.
 Crew members have the opportunity to get a closer look at potential
defects instantly without having to indulge in hazardous manual techniques,
which would require them to climb wind turbines.
 With UAVs on-site, last-minute spot checks can be administered in minimal
time through aerial photography.
 Not only is worker-safety being prioritized, wind-turbine downtime is also
minimized, all with the retainment of information quality.

23. WIND TURBINE INSPECTION DRONE BY GARUDA
AEROSPACE

24. .
 YOUTUBE LINK
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6QwLxejnPTo

25. THANK YOU