EWIC

Challenge

The need for renewable energy in the energy system is steadily increasing. The same applies to the length of the wings for wind turbines at sea and on land that help to produce the green power. As the wings get longer, the load from wind and gravity also increases. Therefore, the risk of structural damage in and outside the turbine’s wings increases – damage that can affect the safety around the turbine as well as its operation and energy production.

Solution

To reduce damage to wind turbine blades, EWIC’s project partners have developed a new inspection method based on advanced camera technology – also known as endoscopy. The technology is reminiscent of the type of binocular examinations used in the healthcare sector, where a camera on a thin tube helps to map disease and the need for treatment.

As damage to wind turbine blades typically occurs inside the material from which it develops, it is especially here that the camera technology from the EWIC project can make a difference, eg when glue joints inside the blade must be examined for possible damage.

In addition to the camera technology, which can now be used by wind turbine owners during inspections, the partners in the project have developed a manual for the use of the technology, which gives technicians in the wind industry a common language for inspections of possible structural damage in wind turbine blades. The need has arisen, as the inspections have so far been based on a number of different disciplines and techniques; including ultrasound, thermography and radiography.

Overall, the EWIC project will increase current knowledge of the condition of wind turbine blades and the need for servicing. In this way, earlier and better decisions can be made by the service technician, so that the life of the turbine blade is extended.

Cost reduction

• Expected 10-15 million. euros in savings for the wind industry
• Increased job creation in the wind industry
• Significant reduction in time consumption when replacing wind turbine blades