Wind power production is experiencing high demand globally and is expected to reach a market size of $123.154 billion by 2025. As a result, businesses seek safe and efficient means for inspecting turbines and ensuring peak performance.
However, traditional methods such as rope inspections pose greater risks and are error prone. As you’ll learn in this article, transitioning to a more modern alternative like wind turbine drone inspection effectively eliminates these issues.
How Drones Are Used in Inspections
Generally, wind turbines undergo maintenance checkups at least two to three times per year. Drone inspections help identify damage and ensure timely repair of wind turbines. They can also be beneficial in the following applications:
- Site assessments
- Due diligence and property evaluations
- Insurance risk assessments
- Insurance claim reports
Advantages of Drone Inspection
Beyond maintaining and extending the lifespan of wind turbines, aerial drone inspections also offer the following benefits:
Enhance Workplace Safety
Manual inspections require workers to ascend and descend the turbine using a rope or platform system. Drone inspections are by far a safer option since assessments are conducted at a safe distance from the job site. This eliminates the risk of falls and other work-related accidents.
Reduce Maintenance Costs
Building scaffolding every time inspections are conducted can be expensive. With drone inspections, temporary scaffoldings are only necessary during the actual maintenance. This saves companies thousands of dollars in maintenance costs.
Minimize Downtime
Building scaffolding is time-consuming. Assembly and removal typically take two full days, resulting in several hours of downtime and revenue loss. Drone inspection cuts this time by half since scaffolding is only used during maintenance.
Additionally, deploying drones before the repair helps technicians identify the right parts and tools for the job, eliminating the need for multiple trips up the turbine.
Generate High-Quality Data
Drones with high-definition cameras generate high-resolution images and videos that enable easy access to the wind turbine. Thermal imagery also allows quick detection of energy loss and performance issues. What’s more, technicians can repeatedly manipulate and access the video to get a better view of the parts.
Based on the collected data, a report with information on potential damages, recommendations for improvement, and a service plan is generated. Precise GPS locations are also available, enabling technicians to locate damages easily.
Get a Comprehensive Drone Inspection for Wind Turbines
Keep your wind turbine in peak condition with our professional drone aerial inspection services. The Chandler Companies provides a faster, safer, and more efficient way to inspect wind turbines.
Our next-level thermal imaging technology accurately captures visual and thermal data, helping identify potential issues in your turbine. With a seasoned team of drone operators, we can get the job done in a matter of minutes, limiting downtime.
Find out how our drones can help streamline your inspection process. The Chandler Companies proudly services the Minnesota and Colorado regions. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at (651) 388-9415 or complete our online form to request a free quote today.