TNO and SpectX are combining their expertise areas in the IBIS (Increased Blade Inspection Safety) project. This new one-year project is aimed at making wind turbine blade inspections faster, cheaper, and safer by employing advanced autonomous drone technology and digital twin models.
The use of these technologies should lead to a reduction in the need for manual inspections. Initial trials on a turbine blade on the ground were successful; the first pilot field inspections will take place soon. known as the
Combining technologies for accurate lifetime predictions
Wind farm owners all know that inspecting and maintaining wind turbines take up a large portion of their operational costs. Technicians need to climb the wind turbine and manually check each blade for damage, fractures and other issues that may impair the service life.
SpectX is an expert in developing autonomous drones and is developing an advanced new system specifically for this project. Two drones fly in tandem and use X-ray technology to scan every inch of a wind turbine blade. The radiographic images from the scan are then interpreted and enhanced by means of AI coding.
Digital twin modelling
This is where TNO’s knowledge of digital twin modelling comes into play. The team at TNO create a fully digital replica of the turbine blade, which takes into account all factors of the actual blade. For instance, it knows the environmental loads the blade is subjected to, such as wind gusts and other natural forces.
By importing and interpreting the data obtained from the radiographic scans via an AI interface, TNO can enhance the blade’s lifetime prediction and thus maximise the performance of the wind turbine.
Minimising human risk and human error
Once completed, the IBIS project will offer many benefits to owners of wind farms. Besides the significant cost and time savings, safety hazards are also drastically reduced because rope access inspections can mostly be avoided.
It is a prime example of how human innovation and AI-driven technology can work together on maximising performance and sustainability.
The IBIS project, a collaborative effort of TNO and SpectX, has been made possible in part with funding from TKI Offshore Energy. Source: TNO Images: SpectX
