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No downtime: What are wind farm inspections really like?
Efficiency in wind farms is closely linked to the care and maintenance of wind turbines. One of the main challenges lies in the continued use of traditional inspection methods. By incorporating advanced technology into asset management, it’s now possible to carry out real-time inspections—without halting production and, most importantly, without putting operators at risk.
In the past, turbine inspections were carried out manually. This not only meant high maintenance costs and significant productivity losses across the site, but also considerable risks for the teams responsible for asset upkeep.
If you’re interested in the evolution of wind energy, don’t miss: “A Journey Towards Energy Sustainability.”
Wind turbine inspections in motion: The Uali method
With a mission to modernise and optimise inspection processes, our technology harnesses the full potential of drones to collect accurate data—without interruptions. But how does it work?
Our drone begins its flight by adjusting altitude and positioning itself in front of the turbine. Once aligned, it captures images along both sides, ensuring complete blade coverage. It also records full rotation videos of the blades for detailed visual analysis. The drone then pulls back to capture wider shots of full rotations, giving a more comprehensive view.
This method allows for thorough evaluations and high-precision results, all while the turbines remain operational. Not only does this help maximise profitability—it also maintains energy production and asset safety simultaneously.
Want to dive deeper into inspection methods? We recommend: “Traditional Inspections vs. the Technological Future”
What Do We Look for During Turbine Inspections?
Some of the anomalies our method can detect include:
- Leading edge erosion
- Cracks on blades
- Lightning or impact damage
- Debonding and delamination
- Longitudinal and transverse cracks
- Dry fibres and surface layer damage
- Dimensional analysis of the anomaly and its precise location
- Criticality level of the anomaly
Where Is All This Information Processed?
Once the drone completes its mission, all captured images and data are uploaded to our central database. There, they are processed through our AI system, which uses 18 dedicated algorithms to identify the anomalies found during inspection.
After the analysis is verified, clients can access detailed reports and images directly via our platform—enabling faster, safer decision-making and the immediate deployment of maintenance teams.
Discover more about our platform here: “The Uali Platform: Turning Data into Decisions for the Energy Sector”
At Uali, we combine drones with artificial intelligence to transform the inspection and monitoring of energy assets. We detect faults, optimise operations, and reduce risk—leading to greater efficiency and a smaller environmental footprint. Get to know us!
Amelia Bálsamo
CTO
