Thls project aims to develop an innovative cost-effective maintenance solution for offshore wind
tutfiine btades in situ. The project has three key paratletand combined objectiveJ:
1. Development of a methodology for the fast, safe, accurate and reliable inspection of offshore
wind turbine blades (in situ) through the use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle comprising a model
helicopter and camera equipment
2. Development of a novel access system to enable the safe and effective repair in situ of offshore
wind turbine blades- no need for removal
3. Development of a novel, fast, reliable process for the in situ repair of damaged wind turbine
blades
The tasks outlined in section 17 detail how these objectives will be achieved.
The main driver for this project is the need for a reliable long term supply of energy from offshore
wind turbines. High availability is crucial for the economics of any wind farm. Given the need for
frequent manual interventions, access systems and maintenance processes are highly important
to maintain availability. It is acknowledged that as turbine and wind farm sizes increase and as
Round 3 projects are built further offshore, access will become even more critical to project
viability.
The innovation of this access and repair system for the in situ inspection and repair of offshore
wind turbine blades lies in: ,
-Tile use, development and integration of UAV technology, the associated cameras and the
I software imaging package to enable remote inspection of the wind turbine blade - increasing
safety whilst maintaining the accuracy of repair diagnosis
-The development of a UAV based inspection solution that:
can be utilised in close proximity to offshore wind turbine blades whilst maintaining accuracy of
inspection, can be controlled accurately and consistently in adverse weather conditions out at sea,
and can be safely and repeatedly launched and landed onto a suitable platform mounted on an
access vessel at sea
- The development of a fast, reliable, flexible repair system for the in situ repair of carbon
composite turbine blades - utilising dry curing techniques rather than the current preferred 'wet
lay up' methodology
-The development of a light yet robust, safe, flexible, access system to enable blade repairs to be
undertaken in situ.
The deliverables from this project will enable a step change in the method and technologies
1 associated with the inspection and repair of offshore wind turbine blades.
RTS has considerable experience in the access, inspection and maintenance field and has
undertaken ad-hoc trials of the three key elements of this project which will provide a sound basis
1 for this further required development work.