To inspect the blades of the more than 270,000 wind turbines operating globally, technicians have traditionally relied on binoculars and field scopes from the ground, or have scaled the turbines with the help of ropes or cables. Today, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are providing a safer option, with the benefit of higher-resolution imaging. According to Navigant Research, cumulative global revenues for wind turbine UAV sales and inspection services is expected to reach nearly US$6 billion by 2024.
"The use of drones for wind turbine blade inspection is proving to be more than a novelty," said Jesse Broehl, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. "Current inspection techniques from the ground and by rope or platform access will not be replaced, however, they will increasingly be augmented by drone inspections, which bring certain advantages."
The emerging wind turbine UAV market is driven by the massive number of blades that need to be inspected for normal deterioration and for pre-end-of-warranty inspections, according to the report. If uninspected, deterioration caused by the elements to the more than 800,000 blades in operation can result in reduced energy production and blade collapse, which could have catastrophic effects.
Article translated by Alex Wolfgram
