Drone project demonstrates airborne delivery of spare parts to wind turbines

With four successful test deliveries, the partners in the Add2Wind innovation project have demonstrated significant potential for drone-based delivery of spare parts to offshore wind turbines. Upon implementation, the technology is ultimately expected to significantly reduce maintenance costs.

Challenge

Transporting packages and other goods during the servicing of wind turbines has traditionally involved significant back-and-forth travel between vessels and turbines, and a heavy reliance on vessel availability when the goods are needed. This also applies when a special tool or spare part is required that could otherwise bring the turbine back into operation more quickly. Streamlining service logistics can significantly reduce operations and maintenance costs.

Solution

In the Add2Wind innovation project, the partners worked to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of delivering packages from shore to offshore wind turbines using unmanned helicopter drones. Packages of up to 40 kg containing spare parts for maintenance were to be delivered directly to the nacelle offshore up to 80 km from land under most weather conditions, while the wind turbine remained in operation.

Result

The project has shown that airborne delivery of spare parts to offshore wind turbines is technically feasible and operationally promising, especially for ad hoc maintenance tasks. The technology is expected to improve turbine uptime, reduce dependency on vessels, increase crew safety, and thus lower maintenance costs in the offshore wind sector.

A total of four onshore test deliveries were demonstrated, including to offshore-type wind turbines. The results have been made available in a report to promote further development and commercialization. Read the report here.

The project achieved the following:

• Demonstrated airborne delivery to an offshore-type wind turbine using unmanned helicopter drones.
• Developed and integrated a hoisting system, delivery bags, and sensor systems for safe and precise delivery.
• Obtained multiple BVLOS-flight permits in Denmark and Switzerland, including for offshore operations.
• Conducted operational analysis and business case studies with industry partners.
• Gained valuable insights into the approval process and identified key barriers to commercial drone use.