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Traditional Inspection vs. Technological Future: Drones and AI in Wind Turbine Supervision
Efficient maintenance and operation of wind turbines are crucial to boosting the competitiveness of renewable energy. With up to 20% of the total energy cost associated with this maintenance, it is vital to address this aspect effectively to ensure the long-term sustainability of wind energy.
In the past, manual inspections were the norm to assess the condition of wind turbines. However, this approach was not only labor intensive, it also posed significant risks to workers, who had to make dangerous climbs to closely examine the blades, towers and nacelles.
In contrast to this traditional approach, at Uali we have embarked on a mission to modernize and optimize the wind turbine inspection process. Our solution integrates advanced technologies, such as drones and artificial intelligence (AI), to carry out accurate, safe and efficient inspections.
From Manual to Automated: The Evolution in Inspections with Uali Technology
Our wind turbine inspection technology takes full advantage of the capabilities of drones, which fly precisely around the turbines, capturing high-quality images without interrupting their operation. These images are transmitted in real time to our control center, where our team of experts can identify and analyze any potential anomalies.
Capturing images of moving wind turbines with drones allows for detailed and efficient inspections without stopping their operation. The process includes two main modes: one shovel at a time and two shovels simultaneously.
In the first, the drone is positioned in front of the wind turbine and its height is adjusted to capture images of each blade from both sides, making sure to cover its entire length. Additionally, videos of the complete rotations are recorded for more detailed analysis. In the second mode, the drone is located at a greater distance, capturing two blades in the same frame and recording complete rotations to evaluate possible damage or irregularities.
This strategic approach ensures high-quality visual data from multiple angles, allowing faults to be accurately identified and maintenance optimized. The combination of images and videos makes drones a key tool in the digital transformation of the wind industry, improving both safety and operational efficiency.
Integrating AI into our inspection process allows for more accurate detection of potential issues, from blade cracks to tower corrosion. Additionally, our platform provides instant alerts on critical issues, enabling rapid and efficient response to minimize any impact on facility performance and security.
By proactively detecting and addressing issues, we are helping to ensure the safety and optimal performance of wind turbines, driving the transition to a more sustainable energy future. Our automated inspection technology not only improves the efficiency of this process, but also increases worker safety by reducing their exposure to hazardous environments at height.
At Uali we combine drones with artificial intelligence to provide precise and actionable data to the energy industry, facilitating decision-making in the care of its assets and thus generating a positive environmental impact. Get to know us!
Pablo Legarreta
Piloto de Drones
