Deutsche Windtechnik, a wind energy service provider, has commenced a large-scale offshore inspection campaign utilizing state-of-the-art drone technology. The company has successfully conducted periodic inspections of the rotor blades at the Butendiek offshore wind farm in Germany. This milestone was made possible by significant advancements in drone technology and newly introduced regulations by the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), which permit remote optical inspections in addition to traditional rope access techniques.
By deploying a specially enhanced DJI M300 RTK drone, Deutsche Windtechnik has achieved remarkable time savings compared to conventional rope access methods. The drone was equipped with customized camera and sensor technology through an extensive engineering process to facilitate rotor blade inspections at the Butendiek wind farm. The use of drones provides a comprehensive view of the rotor blade's entire exterior, surpassing the capabilities of rope access technology.
Jens Landwehr, the Managing Director of Deutsche Windtechnik's offshore unit, expressed his satisfaction with the results, stating, “Through our drone operations at the Butendiek offshore wind farm, we have verified that drones can significantly reduce downtime during inspections when compared to conventional rope access techniques.” The ability to precisely locate potential damages and the support offered by advanced software greatly enhance the documentation and assessment of damage progression, ensuring a thorough evaluation.
Tobias Bläs, the team lead for rotor blades, highlighted the economic advantages of this innovative approach, stating, “The time efficiency of drone inspections, along with resulting shorter downtimes, makes it a highly suitable alternative to rope access technology in many cases.” The reduction in inspection time translates into improved operational efficiency and cost savings for wind farm operators.
Deutsche Windtechnik's successful integration of drone technology for rotor blade inspections at the Butendiek offshore wind farm underscores the industry's continuous drive towards enhancing safety, precision, and efficiency. With ongoing advancements in drone capabilities and regulatory frameworks, the future of wind turbine inspections appears to be taking flight.
