Flexible Offshore Drone for Wind – FOD4Wind

The challenge

To ensure that offshore wind turbines continuously run optimally, they are subject to a very well-defined service program, where preventive maintenance is carried out by skilled technicians. Most of the wind farms that are far from land or a suitable service port are served by SOV vessels, which are large but efficient service vessels. The crew of the SOVs can typically perform full service on more than one turbine per day with a range of tools and spare parts already on board the vessel. During this service, technicians do what they can, but they are limited by the physics of moving back and forth, up and down, carrying tools and hoisting spare parts, etc.

The solution

There is great potential to improve service by cutting corners with new technology. This innovation project will focus on fully autonomous wind turbine inspection and parcel deliveries e.g., tools using drones and fixed charging stations on offshore service vessels. The project introduces an unseen level of autonomy and speed that will optimize the O&M costs of servicing offshore wind turbines.

As the name Flexible Offshore Drone for Wind also indicates, the plan with the drone is that it is “flexible” and thus can be used in several ways. It will function as a small offshore helicopter, which in addition to parcel delivery and inspection of offshore wind turbines will also be able to participate in rescue operations and in the long term have several other functions.

As the drones can be used for several different purposes, it will be possible to reduce navigation to the offshore wind turbines and thus reduce both the costs and CO2 emissions associated with the maintenance of the wind farms.

The effect

All effects are in 2030 and based on 70 installed charging stations with drones:

• Reduced downtime of 12,250 hours
• Reduced CO2 by 13,000 tons per year
• Energy production increased by 39,200 MWh per year
• Reduced service costs by DKK 424,000 million per year
• Increased employment of 180 employees