A wind turbine farm under cloudy skies, photo by Kathrine Birch.
Revolutionizing Wind Turbine Maintenance with Drone Technology
voliro demonstrates how AssetTech leverages the Voliro T Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to enhance the efficiency of Lightning Protection System (LPS) inspections in Brazilian wind farms, as detailed in their case study, Wind Turbine Maintenance Efficiency: How AssetTech uses Voliro T to Reduce Costs by 50% and Increase Inspection Speed 16x.
Challenges of Customary Inspection Methods
Historically, LPS inspections required teams of technicians to access heights exceeding 100 meters, often involving three personnel and taking an entire day for each turbine. the costs for these inspections ranged from $1,000 to $1,500 per unit,heavily influenced by weather conditions and safety regulations. AssetTech’s primary focus on blade inspections for turbines from manufacturers such as GE and Nordex Acciona faced significant limitations due to these labor-intensive and time-consuming practices.
Transformative Impact of the Voliro T UAS
With the introduction of the Voliro T UAS, the time required for inspections has drastically decreased to just 30 minutes per turbine, now managed by only two ground operators. This innovation has halved the inspection costs,bringing them down to approximately $500 per turbine,while also reducing downtime by an impressive 95%. Consequently, turbines can remain operational for an additional 7.5 hours per inspection. The drone-based approach eliminates the need for climbing and manual cable connections, significantly lowering both risk and resource consumption.
Ensuring Compliance and safety
LPS inspections are conducted quarterly to maintain turbine safety and adhere to IEC 61400-24 standards. By incorporating the Voliro T,AssetTech has optimized data collection processes and minimized disruptions to wind farm operations. This method not only enhances safety but also ensures more reliable maintenance as Brazil’s wind energy sector continues to grow.
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