Wind Turbine Blade Condition Monitoring with Sensatek’s Vision AI and Vibration Monitoring

In the renewable energy sector, efficient and reliable operation of wind turbines is paramount. Condition monitoring and structural health monitoring play a crucial role in ensuring these assets remain operational while minimizing downtime. At Sensatek, we leverage Vision AI vibration monitoring to transform how utilities manage wind turbine health.

The Challenge

Wind turbine defects are increasingly adding cost and revenue loss to turbine owners. In addition, issues such as blade root delamination and cracks from lightning damage are added drivers to more frequent inspections. These issues contribute to costly downtime and increased operational expenses. Site teams could be more productive in troubleshooting other faults to turn turbines around quicker rather than driving out to remote locations to conduct visual inspections.

The Sensatek Solution

Sensatek’s VIDEOMAGIC technology combines video-based dynamic measurement and analysis with computer vision to extract vibration data from pixels. This non-intrusive approach provides insights into turbine performance, including:

• Detection of vibrational modes and anomalous conditions.
• Identification of shaft misalignment, rotational anomalies, and potential blade defects.
• Comprehensive monitoring of turbine components, including blades, and wind turbine towers.

Our rapid deployment and cost-effective installation require minimal disruption to operations, enabling utilities to quickly implement condition monitoring systems across their fleets.

Key Benefits

• Wide Coverage: Continuous monitoring of both rotating and stationary equipment.
• Actionable Insights: Detect and differentiate damage severity, enabling efficient repair prioritization.
• Operational Efficiency: Reduce downtime by preventing failures and optimizing maintenance schedules.

Proven Success

Through collaborations with industry leaders like Constellation Energy, Sensatek has demonstrated the value of advanced structural health monitoring in reducing man-hours for inspections and improving operational efficiency. For example, our deployment at various wind farms detected vibration anomalies related to lightning damage and transportation stress, enabling fleet owners to address issues proactively.

Why Sensatek?

Sensatek deploys Vision AI, as a virtual low-frequency accelerometer technology, and extensive experience in energy asset monitoring. By partnering with both large and small utilities, we deliver innovative solutions for ensuring reliability and optimizing performance.