SPECIALIST ENGINEERING FEATURE
TIP-TOP CONDITION
Wind power has been identified by the Government as one of the key technology platforms to enable the UK to achieve its carbon emissions and climate change targets. However, whilst wind power is environmentally friendly, it is not without issues of its own, most notably how to ensure that turbines remain operational for long periods in often harsh climatic conditions.
ROTOR BLADES
In particular, rotor blades are among the most accident sensitive components of a wind turbine and, if damaged, one of the most expensive parts to replace.
PERIODIC CONDITION MONITORING The condition monitoring of rotor blades is normally carried out on a periodic basis with long intervals between inspections. This can be problematic, as a small easily rectifiable fault can grow to something much more serious.
CONTINUOUS CONDITION MONITORING
The answer to this problem may lie in using the natural oscillation of the turbine blade to determine the blade’s true condition. Rexroth’s BLADEcontrol is a system that continuously monitors the condition of the rotor blades on wind turbines and immediately signals to the operator and/or the machine control problems such as structural blade damage, ice build-up or lightning damage. What’s more it can keep track of the history of the blades condition to offer an on-going forensic trail of wind turbine performance.
BLADECONTROL
BLADEcontrol performs an analysis of the natural oscillation frequencies of the turbine blade which change when the blade is damaged or has a greater dynamic load, such as when ice forms. In terms of maintenance work, BLADEcontrol can differentiate between small, non-threatening edge cracks and major structural damage. This allows for the introduction of a planned maintenance schedule rather than a reactive schedule.
EARLY DETECTION EQUALS HIGHER YIELDS
Calculations suggest that a control system such as BLADEcontrol could generate a payback period of less than two years by early detection of repairs, lower insurance costs, savings on maintenance costs and reduction in unnecessary downtime leading to higher yields.
Stuart Williams Bosch Rexroth
www.boschrexroth.co.uk Click to view more info
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 99
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