Why Choose Drone Inspections?
Traditional methods, such as rope access, require manual labor, which increases both time and safety risks. With DEKRA’s drone-based solution, inspections are safer and more efficient, eliminating the need for industrial lifts, scaffolding, and rope work.
Up to three wind turbines per day can be inspected depending on size and geographical location. DEKRA’s drone inspections can also be performed under Nordic weather conditions with technology adapted for this.
Through a cloud-based ecosystem, the entire workflow is streamlined, ensuring quick and quality-assured analysis and reporting with the option for in-depth analysis. The complete system is up to three times as time-efficient compared to a manual inspection.
How Does It Work?
With the help of AI-supported technology, our drone teams perform autonomous inspections based on a pre-programmed flight path, generated from 3D models of the different manufacturers' generic types of wind turbines. For visual inspection, a camera autonomously takes overlapping photos, creating photographic data with a resolution of more than 5 pixels/mm. These are then combined to provide a comprehensive image of each turbine blade.
For the Lightning Protection System (LPS) inspection, we install signal generators in the nacelle that generate a standing shortwave along the lightning conductor. The drone is equipped with a specially built sensor for 3D electric fields, which then measures the signal strength contactless along the lightning conductor. This inspection is also autonomous, with the flight path based on the 3D model as described above.
Cloud-Based Ecosystem for Efficient Data Management
In a cloud-based solution for project management and analysis of vast amounts of data, DEKRA optimizes the entire process. Here, tasks are planned, and sensor data from cameras and 3D electric fields is analyzed, with detailed reports generated through AI tools. The system also ensures data traceability and reusability, providing the repeatability needed to monitor the lifecycle of wind turbines over time.
In summary, DEKRA delivers drone-based inspections with the core values of efficiency, safety, and flexibility, offering a reliable solution for the wind power industry. By integrating high-tech drone capabilities with cloud-based reporting, we provide efficient services to optimize and maintain the performance and safety of your wind turbines.
