Presentation Description: As of 2022, EPRI began collecting data on wind turbine blade damages and defects discovered during drone-based visual inspections. This data includes images, descriptions of damage and/or defect type, severity ranking, and location on the blade. In our presentation, we will present preliminary findings from our analysis of the database. This includes a breakdown of the most common damage types in the database by severity, turbine manufacturer, blade length, span location, and blade age. We also show that there are important differences between the damage types detected across different inspection service providers. Lessons learned from commercially operating plants and the associated research and best practices provide valuable information to owners, operators, and organizations considering the addition of wind power plants. The results of this study are intended to be utilized for better understanding of best practices in wind turbine O&M. The goal of this presentation is to illustrate the necessity of the development of a structured approach to understanding blade condition, identifying damage and/or defects, and prioritization of repairs driven by data, knowledge, and experience.
Methodology: Analysis of multiple years of wind turbine blade visual inspection data from drone-based external inspections.
Learning Objectives:
Understand and communicate the value of a comprehensive blade inspection and maintenance program.
